Does Illinois Rule 311(a)(5) guarantee a custody appeal decision within 150 days?

Establish that the appeal falls within Rule 311(a)’s mandatory accelerated classes.

Obtain the actual notice filing or Rule 306(a)(5) leave order.

Check the appellate docket, local accelerated procedures and actual good-cause directions.

1. Establish that the appeal falls within Rule 311(a)’s mandatory accelerated classes.
2. Exclude the independently established triggering day and count intermediate calendar days under 5 ILCS 70/1.11. A filing, entry, effective service or previously established due date must come from its actual record. Do not substitute one event for another. The stated duration addresses the court’s conditional decision timetable.
3. Check statutory holidays and the proper court’s actual calendar.
4. Complete the particular act in the proper court.

Section 1.11 excludes a final Saturday, Sunday or statutory holiday and consecutive excluded days. Section 17(a) of the Promissory Note and Bank Holiday Act includes Pulaski Day, Good Friday and the general election for members of the House of Representatives. Check proclamations, the proper court’s actual calendar and clerk access separately. The bundled Illinois calendar covers 2026 and 2027.

The 150-day provision addresses a conditional judicial decision timetable. It is not a supported party filing deadline or guaranteed decision date.

The accelerated classification must be established

Rule 311(a) applies to the stated final custody, parental-responsibility or relocation appeals and qualifying Rule 306(a)(5) interlocutory appeals. Other issues may be handled together unless doing so delays the covered child-related appeal.

Good cause expressly qualifies the court’s timetable

Rule 311(a)(5) begins with its good-cause exception. The rule does not establish that the court will decide on a fixed date in every qualifying case.

District procedures and actual orders matter

Rule 311(a)(6) requires district procedures for timely completion and permits stated alternatives, including memoranda and separation of issues. Rule 311(a)(8) disfavors continuances and requires compelling circumstances.

Parties still have earlier duties

Rule 311(a)(2), (4) and (7) separately address service, record and transcript filing, and accelerated briefing. The 150-day court provision does not extend those periods.

• The calculator does not decide appealability, disputed facts, sufficiency of a filing or whether the court grants relief.
• Check the governing edition and actual orders. A current rule does not establish every historical appeal’s timetable.

• Establish that the appeal falls within Rule 311(a)’s mandatory accelerated classes.
• Obtain the actual notice filing or Rule 306(a)(5) leave order.
• Check the appellate docket, local accelerated procedures and actual good-cause directions.
• Rule 311(a) applies to the stated final custody, parental-responsibility or relocation appeals and qualifying Rule 306(a)(5) interlocutory appeals. Other issues may be handled together unless doing so delays the covered child-related appeal.
• Rule 311(a)(5) begins with its good-cause exception. The rule does not establish that the court will decide on a fixed date in every qualifying case.
• Rule 311(a)(6) requires district procedures for timely completion and permits stated alternatives, including memoranda and separation of issues. Rule 311(a)(8) disfavors continuances and requires compelling circumstances.
• Rule 311(a)(2), (4) and (7) separately address service, record and transcript filing, and accelerated briefing. The 150-day court provision does not extend those periods.
• The appellate court issues the decision under Rule 311(a)(5). Parties must separately complete the required special caption, service, record and briefs. Monitor actual docket entries and orders. This source guide does not establish that a decision will occur on a calculated date.