I hope someone can help me. My boyfriend just had his post conviction thrown out on October 25th. He PD sent him the record ( regular mail) stating he had 30 days to file this appeal. WHen I contacted this PD to ask if he was going to file the appeal he said" Oh does he want an appeal-- well, well just tell him I will take care of it" It still has not been filed. We have 13 days left to file this appeal. My boyfriend's prison is on lockdown -- so he can't go to the library. So guess what---- it is up to Me. That is scarey. I don't know what an appeal is , nor do I know how to do one. I have his post conviction papers here. I have looked on Illinois court & findlaw website. But they don't tell me how to do it. Has anyone done this before? Or know where to go? I mean isn't there some guideline form you can use-- something that will give me a general idea what to put in this and how the formatt is?

Any help I can get will be deeply appreciated. Thank you in advance

Mrs. B - filing an appellate appeal - which is the first step - in Illinois takes quite a bit of legal know-how. You should keep after the PD and make sure he files it timely....I'm not sure you would be able to handle the appeal for him pro se. I believe the appeal must include case law why your bf's trial was mishandled or whatever legal reason you are seeking a new trial for. You must state all the reasons it should be overturned, if I understand you right...did that help any? I also believe you must have very costly transcripts to submit with the appeal. Good luck but keep after the PD -

I would also post in the IL state forum!

I don't know if this will help you but have you tried here:
http://www.state.il.us/defender/