The Illinois IWCC Notice of Motion is the cover-sheet form that tells the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, the assigned arbitrator, and the opposing party that you plan to bring a motion in a workers’ compensation case, and it sets the date, time, and location where that motion will be heard. Every party who files a motion before the Commission must serve this notice under 50 Ill. Adm. Code 9020.20, and a defective notice can get your motion stricken before the arbitrator ever reads the merits.
The Commission processes more than 30,000 new applications a year and tens of thousands of motions on top of those filings, so arbitrators rely on a clean Notice of Motion to keep dockets moving. A Notice of Motion that lists the wrong status call date, the wrong arbitrator, or the wrong case number gets bounced, and the underlying motion often dies with it.
Here is what this guide gives you:
- 📝 A line-by-line walkthrough of every box on the current Notice of Motion form
- ⚖️ Three full named scenarios covering reinstatement, penalties, continuance, and §19(b) immediate hearings
- 📅 The 15-day notice rule, the 7-day shortened-notice exception, and how to avoid blown deadlines
- 💻 Step-by-step filing through CompFile, by mail, in person, and by email to the arbitrator
- 🚫 The 10 most common mistakes that get motions stricken and how to fix them before you file
What the Notice of Motion Is and Who Must File It
The Illinois IWCC Notice of Motion is a one-page form that accompanies every motion filed at the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, and it is required by Section 9020.20 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice. The form tells the other side exactly when and where the motion will be called, which arbitrator will hear it, and what relief the moving party seeks under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, 820 ILCS 305. Without it, the arbitrator has no authority to rule, because due process under Illinois law requires written notice and a chance to be heard.
Three groups file this form most often. Pro se injured workers file it when they need to reinstate a dismissed case, ask for a continuance, or push for unpaid medical bills. Claimants’ attorneys file it for penalty petitions under §19(k), §19(l), and §16 and for §19(b) emergency hearings on temporary total disability. Respondents’ defense counsel and third-party administrators file it for continuances, motions to compel independent medical exams, motions to dismiss for want of prosecution, and motions to consolidate related claims.
The Notice of Motion is a cover document, not the motion itself. You attach the actual written motion, any supporting affidavits, exhibits, and a Proof of Service. Arbitrators in Chicago, Peoria, Rockford, Springfield, Collinsville, Herrin, Urbana, Wheaton, Joliet, Waukegan, and the other hearing sites treat the Notice of Motion as the gatekeeper. If the cover sheet is wrong, the merits never get reached.
The current revision of the form is dated on the bottom margin of the PDF; always download the most recent IWCC Notice of Motion PDF the day you file, because the Commission updates the form when rules change.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Filing the Notice of Motion goes faster when every piece of information sits in front of you before you open the PDF. Missing a single number forces a refile, and a refile can cost you the next status call. Gather everything below first.
- Your IWCC case number in the format YY WC NNNNNN (for example, 23 WC 014725); the wrong format causes CompFile to reject the upload.
- The full legal name of the petitioner and respondent as they appear on the original Application for Adjustment of Claim; a name mismatch triggers a clerical hold.
- The assigned arbitrator’s name, found on the most recent status call notice or on the arbitrator assignment list.
- The hearing site and room where your case is called; arbitrators rotate, so confirm the docket city.
- The status call date on which you want the motion heard; this must be at least 15 days out unless you have shortened-notice agreement.
- The exact relief you are requesting, written in one or two sentences (e.g., reinstatement, §19(b) immediate hearing, §19(k)/§19(l)/§16 penalties).
- Opposing counsel’s name, firm, address, and email so the Proof of Service is valid.
- The date of accident as pleaded; arbitrators cross-check it against the underlying Application.
- Your CompFile login if e-filing through the CompFile portal; a forgotten password the morning of filing is a classic disaster.
- The underlying motion, affidavits, and exhibits in PDF, because the Notice of Motion is meaningless without them.
Each item matters. If the case number is wrong, the filing lands in the wrong file. If the arbitrator name is wrong, the motion is not added to that arbitrator’s call. If the status call date is less than 15 days away and you have no shortened-notice order, the motion is stricken on its face.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official Notice of Motion is hosted on the Commission’s forms page as a fillable PDF. You can type directly into the boxes in Adobe Acrobat or any modern PDF reader, then save and upload. Do not retype the form in Word; the Commission rejects unofficial reproductions because the layout must match the docketing software’s field positions.
Inside CompFile, the Commission’s e-filing portal, the Notice of Motion is generated automatically when you select File a Motion and pick the motion type. CompFile prefills the case caption, the arbitrator, and the venue from the case record, which removes most clerical errors. Pro se filers can register for a free CompFile account using the self-represented sign-up link, and attorneys register through the same portal using their ARDC number.
Paper copies are available at every Commission hearing site and at the Chicago headquarters at 100 W. Randolph Street, Suite 8-200. Bring extra blank copies; arbitrators sometimes ask for an amended notice on the spot.
If you are mailing the form, print on plain white 8.5 x 11 paper, single-sided. The Commission scans every paper filing into its electronic record, and double-sided pages get cut off in the scanner.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the IWCC Notice of Motion Line by Line
The Notice of Motion has a small number of fields, but each one carries weight. Walk through them in order and confirm every entry against the source document before you move on. The walkthrough below uses the current revision posted on the IWCC forms page.
Caption Box: Case Number
The case number box at the top of the form asks for the IWCC docket number assigned when the Application for Adjustment of Claim was filed. Enter the number in the exact format YY WC NNNNNN using the two-digit year, a space, the letters WC, another space, and a six-digit sequence. Maria Lopez writes 23 WC 014725 because her case was filed in 2023 and assigned sequence number 14725.
If you have multiple consolidated cases, list every case number on separate lines inside the box. The most common mistake is dropping a leading zero in the sequence number, which sends the filing to a different claimant’s file and triggers a clerical hold that can take weeks to clear. A widespread misconception is that the case number changes when the case is reassigned to a new arbitrator; it does not, and writing the assignment number instead of the docket number guarantees rejection.
Caption Box: Petitioner’s Full Legal Name
This field asks for the injured worker’s full legal name as it appears on the Application. Use the format Last, First Middle, all in upper-and-lower case, with no nicknames. Marcus J. Reed writes Reed, Marcus James because his Application reads the same way.
If the petitioner has changed names since filing (marriage, divorce, court order), enter the name on the Application, then add now known as [new name] in parentheses. The most common mistake is using a nickname like Marc instead of Marcus, which causes the Commission’s name-match algorithm to fail. Many filers think initials are acceptable on this line; they are not, because the arbitrator uses the full name to verify identity at the call.
Caption Box: Respondent’s Full Legal Name
The respondent box asks for the employer’s full legal name, not the trade name or DBA. Enter it exactly as it appears on the Application and on any Form 45 wage statement on file. Aisha Brown’s employer is listed as Sunrise Logistics, Inc. on the Application, so that is what goes in the respondent box, not the trade name “Sunrise Express.”
If the employer has been acquired, dissolved, or renamed during the pendency of the claim, list the original name first, then the successor in parentheses. The most common mistake is naming the insurance carrier or the third-party administrator instead of the employer, which makes the notice technically void because the carrier is not the party of record. A frequent misconception is that “the carrier is who pays, so the carrier is the respondent”; under 820 ILCS 305/4, the employer is the party.
Date of Accident
This field asks for the date the injury occurred or, in repetitive-trauma cases, the manifestation date pleaded on the Application. Use MM/DD/YYYY format with slashes, not dashes. Janet Park writes 08/14/2022 because her lifting injury happened on August 14, 2022.
For occupational disease claims under 820 ILCS 310, use the last date of exposure. The most common mistake is entering the date the claim was filed instead of the date of accident, which mismatches the docket and gets the motion stricken. A common misconception is that the date of accident can be updated through a Notice of Motion; it cannot, and changes to the date of accident require a separate motion to amend.
To: Name and Address of Party Being Notified
The To line tells the Commission whom you are serving with the notice. Write the opposing party’s attorney name, firm name, mailing address, and email address. Carlos Rivera, the petitioner, writes Jordan Wells, Esq., Wells & Daley LLP, 200 W. Madison St., Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60606, jwells@wellsdaley.com because that attorney filed the appearance for the respondent.
If the opposing party is pro se, list their personal address and email. The most common mistake is serving the insurance adjuster instead of defense counsel after an appearance has been filed, which makes service defective under Rule 9020.20. A misconception is that emailing the motion alone counts as service; it does not, because service must match the address listed on the most recent appearance.
Arbitrator’s Name
This field asks for the name of the arbitrator currently assigned to the case. Find the name on the most recent status call notice or on the arbitrator assignment list. Maria Lopez writes Arbitrator Stephen Friedman because her last status notice listed him.
If the case has been reassigned, use the new arbitrator’s name, even if the prior arbitrator heard earlier motions. The most common mistake is naming the arbitrator who heard a §19(b) hearing two years ago when the case has since rotated; the motion lands on the wrong call. A misconception is that any arbitrator at the hearing site can hear the motion; only the assigned arbitrator can, except by transfer order.
Hearing Site / Venue
The hearing site box asks for the city where the case is venued (Chicago, Peoria, Rockford, Springfield, Collinsville, Herrin, Urbana, Wheaton, Joliet, Waukegan, or another site listed on the hearing sites page). Marcus Reed writes Wheaton because his case is on the DuPage County call.
For Chicago cases, also list the room number from the most recent notice (e.g., Room 8-200). The most common mistake is listing the city where the accident happened instead of the city where the case is venued, which diverts the motion to the wrong docket. A misconception is that the petitioner can pick any hearing site; venue is fixed by 820 ILCS 305/1(b) and the original Application.
Status Call Date and Time
This is the date and time the motion will be heard. It must be a regularly scheduled status call for the assigned arbitrator and must give the opposing party at least 15 days’ written notice under Rule 9020.20. Use MM/DD/YYYY and a 12-hour clock with AM or PM. Aisha Brown writes 06/18/2026 at 9:00 AM because that is Arbitrator Friedman’s next Wheaton status call after the 15-day window.
If you need a sooner hearing, get a shortened-notice order from the arbitrator first, then write Shortened notice granted [date] by Arbitrator [name] under the date line. The most common mistake is picking a date that is fewer than 15 days away without a shortened-notice order, which causes automatic strike. A misconception is that “filing” the motion 15 days out is enough; the rule counts from the date of service, not filing.
Type of Motion / Relief Requested
This narrative line asks what you are asking the arbitrator to do. Write one sentence that names the motion and the relief. Janet Park writes Petitioner’s Motion to Reinstate case dismissed for want of prosecution on 02/10/2026 because her case was dismissed and she wants it back on the trial call.
For penalty motions, name every subsection: Motion for Penalties under §19(k), §19(l), and Attorney’s Fees under §16. For §19(b) motions, write Petition for Immediate Hearing under §19(b) for unpaid TTD and medical. The most common mistake is writing only “Motion for Penalties” without specifying which sections, which forfeits the unnamed sections under the doctrine in Roodhouse Envelope Co. v. Industrial Commission. A misconception is that the arbitrator will figure out the relief from the underlying motion; arbitrators read the cover sheet first and decide whether to even open the motion.
Signature, Date, and Filer Information
The signature block asks for the moving party’s signature, printed name, role (attorney or pro se), ARDC number if licensed, address, phone, and email. Carlos Rivera signs his name, prints Carlos Rivera, checks Pro Se Petitioner, and writes his home address, phone, and Gmail address.
Attorneys must include their seven-digit ARDC number; a missing ARDC number is treated as an unsigned filing under Commission practice. The most common mistake is signing electronically without typing /s/ [name], which CompFile flags as missing signature. A misconception is that one signature covers both the Notice and the underlying motion; each document needs its own signature.
Proof of Service
The Proof of Service section is a sworn statement that you served the notice and motion on every other party. List each recipient, the method (email, U.S. mail, personal service, CompFile e-service), the address used, and the date of service. Maria Lopez writes Served by email on 05/30/2026 to jwells@wellsdaley.com and by U.S. mail to 200 W. Madison St., Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60606.
Sign and date the Proof of Service under penalty of perjury per 735 ILCS 5/1-109. The most common mistake is leaving the date of service blank, which makes the 15-day clock impossible to verify and gets the motion stricken. A misconception is that CompFile e-service eliminates the Proof of Service; it does not, because the form still requires the certification.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Each of the named filers below carries one motion through the entire Notice of Motion form. The tables show what they enter in each major section.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, Pro Se Motion to Reinstate
Maria is a warehouse worker whose case was dismissed for want of prosecution after she missed two status calls while hospitalized. She is filing pro se through CompFile to reinstate.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Case Number | 23 WC 014725 |
| Petitioner | Lopez, Maria Elena |
| Respondent | Midwest Warehousing, Inc. |
| Date of Accident | 03/12/2023 |
| To | Jordan Wells, Esq., Wells & Daley LLP, 200 W. Madison St., Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60606 |
| Arbitrator | Arbitrator Stephen Friedman |
| Hearing Site | Chicago, Room 8-200 |
| Status Call Date | 06/18/2026 at 9:00 AM |
| Relief Requested | Petitioner’s Motion to Reinstate case dismissed for want of prosecution on 02/10/2026 |
| Signature | /s/ Maria Lopez, Pro Se Petitioner |
| Proof of Service | Served 05/30/2026 by email and U.S. mail |
Scenario 2: Jordan Wells, Esq., §19(k)/§19(l)/§16 Penalties Motion
Jordan represents Marcus Reed, whose temporary total disability checks have been late seven times in four months because the third-party administrator keeps reissuing them after the due date.
| Form Section | What Jordan Enters |
|---|---|
| Case Number | 24 WC 008912 |
| Petitioner | Reed, Marcus James |
| Respondent | Sunrise Logistics, Inc. |
| Date of Accident | 01/22/2024 |
| To | Defense Counsel, Hartman & Vance LLC, 311 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 2200, Chicago, IL 60606 |
| Arbitrator | Arbitrator Linda Cantrell |
| Hearing Site | Wheaton |
| Status Call Date | 07/02/2026 at 1:30 PM |
| Relief Requested | Motion for Penalties under §19(k), §19(l), and Attorney’s Fees under §16 for unreasonable delay in TTD payments |
| Signature | /s/ Jordan Wells, ARDC #6298471 |
| Proof of Service | Served 06/15/2026 via CompFile e-service and email |
Scenario 3: Defense Counsel Janet Park, Motion for Continuance
Janet defends Aisha Brown’s employer and needs to continue a §19(b) hearing because the treating physician’s deposition was rescheduled by the doctor’s office.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Case Number | 22 WC 045118 |
| Petitioner | Brown, Aisha Marie |
| Respondent | Riverline Manufacturing Co. |
| Date of Accident | 09/05/2022 |
| To | Carlos Rivera, Esq., Rivera Law Group, 55 E. Monroe St., Suite 3800, Chicago, IL 60603 |
| Arbitrator | Arbitrator Devon Marks |
| Hearing Site | Joliet |
| Status Call Date | 06/24/2026 at 10:00 AM |
| Relief Requested | Respondent’s Motion for Continuance of §19(b) hearing currently set 06/30/2026 due to unavailability of treating physician for deposition |
| Signature | /s/ Janet Park, ARDC #6321904 |
| Proof of Service | Served 06/05/2026 via CompFile e-service, email, and U.S. mail |
How to File the Completed Form
The Commission accepts the Notice of Motion through four channels, and each one has its own quirks. Pick the channel that matches the urgency of the motion and the resources you have on filing day.
CompFile e-filing. Log into the CompFile portal, select the case, click File a Motion, choose the motion type, attach the underlying motion and exhibits, and CompFile auto-generates the Notice of Motion with prefilled caption data. There is no filing fee. Processing is immediate; you receive a stamped confirmation by email within minutes, and that confirmation is your proof of filing. Save the PDF stamp to your case file.
By mail. Send the signed Notice of Motion, the underlying motion, exhibits, and Proof of Service to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, 100 W. Randolph Street, Suite 8-200, Chicago, IL 60601 for downstate Cook County and northern Illinois calls, or to 4500 S. Sixth Street, Springfield, IL 62703 for Springfield-call cases. There is no fee. Use USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt; the green card is your proof of filing. Allow five to seven business days for docketing.
In person. Hand-deliver the packet to the docket clerk at the hearing site where the case is venued. The clerk file-stamps your copy on the spot, which becomes your proof of filing. There is no fee. Same-day docketing is typical.
Email to the arbitrator. Some arbitrators accept courtesy copies by email under their standing orders, but email alone is not a filing channel; you must still file through CompFile, mail, or in person. Use email only to alert the arbitrator that a motion is on the way.
Whichever channel you use, keep the date-stamped Notice, the Proof of Service, and any USPS or CompFile receipts in your case file for at least the life of the claim plus the appeal window under 820 ILCS 305/19(b).
What Happens After You File
Once the Notice of Motion is docketed, the Commission adds the motion to the assigned arbitrator’s call for the date listed on the form. The arbitrator’s clerk cross-checks the 15-day notice rule, the case number, the arbitrator name, and the venue. If anything is off, the clerk issues a notice of defect and the motion is held until you cure it.
On the call date, the arbitrator reads the Notice of Motion first, then the underlying motion. The opposing party gets a chance to respond either in writing before the call or orally at the call. The arbitrator can grant the motion, deny it, continue it for written briefing, or strike it for procedural defect under Rule 9020.20.
If the motion is granted, the arbitrator issues a written order, which is uploaded to the case record in CompFile within a few business days. If the motion involves penalties under §19(k), §19(l), or §16, the arbitrator may set the matter for an evidentiary hearing instead of ruling at the status call. If the motion is denied, the moving party can refile after curing the defect, or, in some cases, seek review with the Commission panel.
Adverse rulings on dispositive motions (dismissal, reinstatement denial) are reviewable by petition for review under Section 19(b) of the Act.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Every box on the Notice of Motion is a potential trap. The errors below come up over and over at status calls and account for most of the motions struck on procedural grounds.
- Wrong case number format. Writing 2023WC14725 instead of 23 WC 014725 causes CompFile to reject the upload.
- Naming the carrier as respondent. The employer is the party of record; naming the carrier voids the notice.
- Less than 15 days’ notice. Without a shortened-notice order, the motion is stricken on its face.
- Wrong arbitrator. A name from a prior assignment puts the motion on the wrong call.
- Wrong hearing site. Listing the city of accident instead of the venue diverts the motion.
- Vague relief. Writing Motion for Penalties without naming §19(k), §19(l), and §16 forfeits unnamed sections.
- Blank Proof of Service date. A blank service date makes the 15-day rule impossible to verify and triggers a strike.
- Serving the adjuster after appearance. Service must go to defense counsel once an appearance is filed.
- Missing ARDC number. Attorneys without an ARDC number on the form are treated as unsigned filers.
- Double-sided paper filings. The Commission scanner cuts off back pages, losing the Proof of Service.
- Email-only service. Email alone is not service unless authorized by standing order or CompFile e-service.
Do’s and Don’ts
A short list keeps you out of the most common ditches when you file at the IWCC.
- Do download the latest form the day you file, because revisions happen without notice.
- Do use CompFile when possible; the prefill reduces clerical errors.
- Do count the 15 days from the date of service, not the date of filing.
- Do name every penalty subsection in the relief line.
- Do keep the CompFile confirmation email or the Certified Mail green card.
- Do match the petitioner and respondent names exactly to the Application.
- Don’t name the insurance carrier as respondent.
- Don’t pick a status call date fewer than 15 days out without a shortened-notice order.
- Don’t sign for both the Notice and the underlying motion with one signature.
- Don’t rely on the arbitrator to fix vague relief language.
- Don’t mail filings double-sided.
- Don’t assume the arbitrator from two years ago is still assigned.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pro se filing saves money but raises the risk of procedural strikes. Hiring a workers’ compensation attorney costs a contingency fee capped at 20 percent under 820 ILCS 305/16a but buys procedural fluency.
Pros of filing pro se
- No attorney fee on the front end, which preserves more of any eventual award.
- Direct control over timing and strategy, which matters when you want speed.
- CompFile prefill removes most caption errors for self-represented filers.
- Free help from the Commission’s Self-Represented Information line.
- Faster decisions on simple motions like reinstatement or continuance.
Cons of filing pro se
- Higher risk of strike for vague relief language or service defects.
- Unfamiliar procedural rules under Rule 9020.20.
- Difficulty drafting penalty motions that survive Roodhouse Envelope scrutiny.
- No leverage in settlement talks tied to the motion outcome.
- Emotional fatigue from drafting while still recovering from injury.
FAQs
Do I need a lawyer to file a Notice of Motion?
No. Injured workers can file pro se through CompFile or by mail, but penalty and §19(b) motions are technical and most filers benefit from a workers’ compensation attorney.
How many days of notice does the form require?
Yes, at least 15 days’ written notice from the date of service is required under Rule 9020.20, unless the arbitrator grants a shortened-notice order.
Is there a filing fee for the Notice of Motion?
No. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission does not charge a filing fee for motions or for the Notice of Motion in any channel.
Can I file the form by email?
No. Email alone is not a filing channel; you must use CompFile, mail, or in-person delivery, though arbitrators may accept email courtesy copies.
Do I write the trade name or the legal name in the respondent box?
Yes, write the legal name as listed on the Application for Adjustment of Claim; naming a DBA or trade name makes the notice defective.
What format does the case number use?
Yes, use YY WC NNNNNN with spaces (for example, 23 WC 014725); CompFile rejects other formats automatically.
Can the insurance adjuster be served instead of defense counsel?
No. Once defense counsel files an appearance, service must go to that attorney’s address listed on the appearance, not the adjuster.
Do I need a separate Proof of Service?
Yes, the Proof of Service is part of the Notice of Motion and must list each recipient, method, address, and date of service signed under 735 ILCS 5/1-109.
What if the date of accident on file is wrong?
No, you cannot fix it through the Notice of Motion; you must file a separate motion to amend the Application.
Does CompFile e-service replace the Proof of Service section?
No. CompFile e-service satisfies service on registered users, but the Proof of Service section on the form must still be completed and signed.
Can I name multiple penalty sections on one Notice of Motion?
Yes, list §19(k), §19(l), and §16 together when each applies; failure to name a section forfeits relief under that section.
What happens if I miss the 15-day notice rule?
No, the motion will not be heard; the arbitrator will strike it on its face unless a shortened-notice order was entered before service.
Can I file the Notice of Motion without the underlying motion attached?
No. The Notice is a cover sheet; without the underlying motion, exhibits, and any required affidavits, the filing is incomplete.
Do I list the room number for Chicago hearings?
Yes, include the room (typically Room 8-200 at 100 W. Randolph) so the docket clerk routes the motion to the correct call.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Illinois 10-Day Notice (Eviction) (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois IWCC Application for Adjustment of Claim + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois IWCC Form 45 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois IWCC Petition to Reinstate (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois IWCC Settlement Contract Lump Sum (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois IWCC Subpoena (Workers’ Comp Illinois) (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California WCAB DWC-AD 1 (w/Examples) + FAQs