Court Reporter

Date: December 12, 2025

Job Announcement No.: 2026-8

No. of Vacancies: One

Position Title: Court Reporter

Grade Range: CR-01 to CR-04

Salary Range: $105,651 - $121,498

Closing Date: January 9, 2026

Applications received by December 29, 2025, will receive first consideration.

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois is now accepting applications for a Court Reporter. Consideration will only be given to those who apply through the Court’s online applicant tracking system and submit a cover letter, resume, test scores or NCRA or equivalent real-time certification. If applicants have prior experience providing reporting services to this Court on more than five occasions with the same judge within the twelve months prior to submitting their application, applicants must submit an evaluation on their work and recommendations from that judge.

To apply, please see the “Notice to Applicants” section listed below.

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois has an opening for an Official Court Reporter. Official Court Reporters serve the Court en banc and must comply with the requirements of the Judicial Conference of the United States Courts and the Court Reporter Management Plan of this Court.

The Official Court Reporter is responsible for recording verbatim testimony of court sessions or other proceedings as specified by statute, rule, or order of the Court. At the request of a party or by order of the Court, the Court Reporter provides transcripts within the time frames and cost requirements of the Judicial Conference. Official Court Reporters are required to maintain accurate and legible records of time, attendance, transcript production, and earnings.

• Successful completion of the certified real-time reporter examination offered by the United States Court Reporter Association or the National Court Reporters Association, or an equivalent qualifying examination is required.
• At least four years of prime court reporting experience in the freelance field of service or in other courts or a combination thereof.
• If applicants have prior experience providing reporting services to this Court on more than five occasions with the same judge within the twelve months prior to submitting their application, applicants must submit an evaluation of their work and recommendations from that judge.
• Qualified by testing for listing on the Registry of Professional Reporters of the National Court Reporters Association or have passed an equivalent qualifying examination.
• Ability to accurately record 180 words per minute on literary matter, 200 words per minute for jury charge, and 225 words per minute for testimony.
• Skilled in the use of Computer-Aided Transcription equipment.
• Possess and provide all necessary personal equipment and software.
• Certificate of Merit from the National Court Reporters Association is preferred.

The position requires the ability to record verbatim testimony, to read back all or any portions of the court records, to work well under pressure, to work extended court and transcription production hours within strict time limitations, and to work as a part of a team to serve all the judges of the Court.

Benefits information may be viewed at https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).?page=benefits

Qualified applicants should submit an application, cover letter, resume, test scores or NCRA or equivalent certificate, real-time certification (if candidate is real-time certified) and recommendations from at least one judge and three members of a federal trial bar, preferably of this Court. If applicants have prior experience providing reporting services to this Court on more than five occasions with the same judge within the twelve months prior to submitting their application, applicants must submit an evaluation on their work and recommendations from that judge.

Consideration will only be given to those who apply through the court’s online applicant tracking system by January 9, 2026.

Applicants who apply by December 29, 2025, will receive first consideration.

To view openings and  our applicant tracking system at: ILND…