EFile in Cook County Courts; eFile training; Electronic Filing Service Providers (EFSPs) listings; and other eFiling resource information. To file a civil lawsuit, you must complete a Complaint form, a Summons form as well as a Civil Division Action Cover Sheet.Illinois Legal Aid Online provides a guided interview called an Easy Form that will help you fill out the forms. This guide is intended to help people who want to file a civil case without an attorney. ❐ Pay the filing fee. Once the new case filing is accepted, the Clerk's Office will issue you an invoice and you may pay your fee through pay. Dearborn Street, 20th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604. If you believe you cannot afford the filing fees, you may request permission to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP). To begin your case, you will fill out a Small Claims Complaint and a Small Claims Summons, e-File them online or at the Clerk's office, and pay the filing fee. O If you cannot afford to pay the filing fee, you can ask the court to file for free.