Interpreter Services

Office of Interpreter Services

The Circuit Court of Cook County provides court interpreters to facilitate the participation in court proceedings of persons who either:

do not speak English; or
do not speak English as their primary language and who have limited ability to read, speak, write or understand English (known as Limited English Proficiency or LEP).

Court interpreters help to ensure that all persons are given equal access to justice and that court proceedings function efficiently and effectively.

The services of court foreign language interpreters are provided at no cost to the individual in need of the service.

If you do not speak English or have limited English Proficiency (LEP) and will be coming to court and are in need of an interpreter, please select from the tabs below.

Foreign Language Interpreters
Sign Language Interpreters

The Circuit Court of Cook County is committed to providing persons with disabilities with reasonable and appropriate accommodations consistent with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other state and federal laws.

The Circuit Court of Cook County will give primary consideration to the requests of individuals with disabilities. Primary consideration means that the court will honor the choice of the individual, unless the court demonstrates that another equally effective accommodation is available, or that the requested accommodation would result in a fundamental alteration of court activities or undue financial and administrative burdens.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing and are reporting for jury service, appearing as a witness, litigant or attorney in court proceeding or wish to observe a court proceeding, a request for accommodation or services shall be made 14 days in advance of the proceeding, whenever possible. The request shall be as specific as possible and include a description of the accommodation sought and the date, time and location where the accommodation is needed.

The request shall be made using a Request for Accommodation Form.

The request may be sent via e-mail to ocj.deafhardofhearingaccess@cookcountyil.gov or sent via facsimile to (773) 674-3242.

The Office of Interpreter Services shall respond in writing, and, where appropriate, in a format accessible to the requestor within seven (7) days from the date the request was received.

Accommodations for the deaf or hard of hearing may include the services of a sign language interpreter, assistive listening devices, oral interpreting or Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART). In Communication Access Realtime Translation, an instant translation is projected onto a computer screen by a CART provider while the court proceeding is underway. CART is an interpretive service only, and does not maintain or provide transcripts of the proceedings. Requests for CART must be made two (2) weeks prior to the scheduled hearing date.

For questions, call the Office of Interpreter Services:

DHHA Voice: (773) 674-2468
Main Office: (773) 674-3210
TTY: (773) 674-3213

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