Law Library

About

The Cook County Law Library serves the information needs of the legal profession, judiciary, self-represented litigants and the public. The library connects residents to timely and authoritative legal resources that promote access to justice for all. 

The main branch of the Law Library is located in downtown Chicago at the Daley Center and offers all library users an extensive collection of practical legal resources in print and many premier legal databases. Specialized collections include government documents as well as foreign and international law including current and historical materials.

The Law Library has five branch locations at outlying courthouses: Criminal Courts, Bridgeview, Maywood, Markham and Skokie. All library locations are open Monday-Friday, excluding court holidays. Hours of operation for each location are listed at the bottom of this page.

The Cook County Law Library invites you to celebrate Law Day with us on Thursday, May 1, on the 29th floor of the Daley Center and at our branch locations at the courthouses in Bridgeview, Criminal Court (4th floor), Markham, Maywood and Skokie.

Please join Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle to kick off the celebration at 9:30 a.m. at the Law Library at the Daley Center.

What is Law Day?

Law Day is an annual commemoration held on May 1 to celebrate the rule of law and cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal system.

This year’s theme is The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One.  (Law Day)

What Can You Expect?

• A celebration kick-off with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle recognizing the great work legal professionals do to support and protect the legal system as well as the efforts of the self-represented to learn the legal system
• Information on legal research resources and research tips available at all locations
• Training available remotely or at the Daley Center on Lexis, Westlaw and Wolters Kluwer’s VitalLaw (CLE credit available for Westlaw)
• Tours of the Daley Center Law Library (approximately 15 minutes)
• Information tables from the Bureau of Economic Development and the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender
• History of the Cook County Law Library and Law Day on display

Schedule of Events (subject to change)

• 9:30 a.m. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle speaking
• 10:30 a.m. Lexis basics for legal research training (one hour) 
• 11:30 a.m. Wolters Kluwer VitalLaw training (30 minutes) 
• 1:00 p.m. Westlaw training with CLE credit, “An Introduction to Westlaw” (one hour)
• 2:15 p.m. Wolters Kluwer VitalLaw training (30 minutes)
• Brief tours offered throughout the day, as staff time allows

We look forward to seeing you on May 1 and any time you need access to key legal research resources.

This video can also be found on YouTube.

Mission Statement

To promote equitable access to justice by providing residents, attorneys and public officials with a robust collection of legal information resources and offering high-quality legal research assistance.

Core Values

• Establish and maintain a public County Law Library, including branches, freely available to all licensed Illinois attorneys, judges and other public officers of the County in addition to all members of the public.
• Assist members of the bench, bar, public officials and members of the public with legal research.
• Support access to justice by developing and expanding services for self-represented litigants including increased access to legal information and advice through a self-help environment.
• Identify the changing service needs of the legal profession and public through ongoing client contacts and internal evaluation insuring maximum service in the areas of greatest demand.
• Acquire, develop and maintain a practice-oriented collection of legal research materials in print and electronic format to meet the needs of our diverse patron clientele.