Whether you’re a law student, academic writer, or professional researcher, knowing how to cite a law in Chicago is crucial for maintaining accuracy and credibility. The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) is one of the most widely used citation systems in academic and legal writing, especially for historical and scholarly works. However, legal citations often require different rules from standard source formatting.
From state statutes and federal legislation to court decisions and legal codes, how you cite a law can vary depending on the jurisdiction and context. If you’re working with Illinois law or any other U.S. legal references, the Chicago Style has specific guidelines to help you cite correctly. Citing laws properly helps readers locate your sources, verify claims, and understand your legal arguments more clearly.
In this article, we’ll cover how to cite a law in Chicago, offer practical citation examples, and explore the differences between citing state and federal laws, court cases, and more. Whether you’re writing a law review article or citing legislation in an academic paper, this guide provides all the essentials.
Mastering Chicago Style Legal Citations Made Easy
When learning how to cite a law in Chicago, it’s essential to know that the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) generally refers to The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation for legal references. However, Chicago allows for simplified citation forms in non-legal academic writing, making it more accessible to students, researchers, and writers outside the legal field. The citation format you use will depend on the type of legal source—whether it’s a statute, constitution, court case, or administrative regulation.
For federal statutes, the standard format includes the name of the law, the title and section number of the U.S. Code, and the year. For example, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 (1990). State statutes, such as Illinois law, follow a similar pattern but reference local codes like the Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS). An example would be the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, 750 ILCS 5/101 (2022).
When citing court cases, use the case name in italics, followed by the volume, reporter abbreviation, page number, and year. Consistency, clarity, and accuracy in formatting ensure readers can locate the source material efficiently.
What Types of Laws Can Be Cited in Chicago Style?
When learning how to cite a law in Chicago, it’s essential to understand the legal sources you may need to reference. Each has its citation structure and purpose.
Federal Statutes and Codes
Chicago Style allows for the citation of U.S. federal statutes, particularly those found in the United States Code (U.S.C.). These laws, enacted by Congress, are frequently referenced in legal and academic writing. When citing federal statutes, it’s essential to include the name of the law, the title and section of the U.S. Code, and the year of enactment. This format mirrors Bluebook conventions but is simplified for broader audiences.
State Statutes (e.g., Illinois Law)
Each state maintains its own set of legal codes. In Illinois, for example, laws are codified in the Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS). When citing state law in Chicago Style, be sure to use the correct abbreviation, article, section numbers, and year. These elements ensure precision and proper context for the legal citation.
Constitutional References
The U.S. Constitution and state constitutions can also be cited in Chicago Style. Standard formatting includes the abbreviation of the constitution, article, and section numbers. This form provides clarity and easy reference for legal or academic readers.
Court Cases
Citing legal cases involves the case name (italicized), volume number, abbreviated reporter name, first page of the decision, and the year in parentheses. This method closely follows Bluebook rules.
Administrative Regulations
Chicago Style also supports citations from administrative codes, including the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and equivalent state-level codes. These are important for referencing executive agency rules and procedures.
How to Cite a Law in Chicago Style Key Formats to Know
When citing legal sources in Chicago Style, it’s essential to use proper formatting that aligns with CMOS standards while adapting elements from The Bluebook. Below are examples of the most common types of legal citations you’ll encounter, each following the Chicago Manual of Style’s approach to legal referencing.
- Federal Statute: Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 (1990).
This includes the act’s name, title, section number of the U.S. Code, and year. - Illinois Statute: Illinois Human Rights Act, 775 ILCS 5/1-101 (2022).
Use the ILCS abbreviation along with the article, section, and the most current version year. - U.S. Constitution: U.S. Const. art. I, § 8.
Cite the article and section number using standard abbreviations. - State Constitution: Ill.. Const. Art. I, § 2.
Similar to federal references, but use the state abbreviation. - Court Case: Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954).
Include the case name in italics, volume number, reporter abbreviation, page number, and year. - Administrative Code: 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2 (2023).
Federal regulations are cited using the Title and Section of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Why Accurate Legal Citations Matter in Chicago Style
Accurate legal citation in Chicago Style is essential for maintaining credibility, clarity, and professionalism in academic and legal writing. Knowing how to cite a law in Chicago goes beyond formatting—it ensures that readers can locate and verify the sources you reference. A well-structured citation provides a direct path to the legal text, reducing confusion and enhancing the reader’s understanding of your argument.
In legal and academic contexts, precision matters. Whether you’re writing a law school paper, academic journal article, or legal memorandum, correctly distinguishing between federal and state laws helps prevent misinterpretation. Mistakes in citation can lead to misrepresenting the law or undermining your authority as a writer.
While Chicago Style provides the framework, it’s the writer’s responsibility to follow its rules consistently. Accurate citations, from landmark federal statutes to local ordinances, demonstrate both subject matter expertise and respect for scholarly standards. They are a crucial part of effective legal communication.
How to Cite a Law in Chicago Across Different Sources
Knowing how to cite a law in Chicago depends heavily on the context in which you’re writing. The citation structure can vary between academic, legal, and digital formats. Here’s how to handle each scenario effectively:
- Academic Papers: The Chicago Style allows simplified legal citations when citing laws in academic writing. Unless you’re writing for a legal publication, you don’t need complete Bluebook formatting—clarity and consistency are the priority.
- Legal Memos and Case Briefs: Full citations are essential in professional legal documents. Always include the law’s official name, volume, section numbers, and year. This level of detail is critical for legal accuracy and credibility.
- Footnotes and Bibliographies: The first citation in a footnote should include complete details, while subsequent citations can be shortened. Depending on academic requirements, legal sources may or may not appear in the bibliography.
- Digital Legal Sources: If referencing online laws or cases, include the full citation and a stable URL from an official source. Government websites like congress.gov or ilga.gov are preferred.
- Citation Tools and Software: Citation managers like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote offer Chicago Style templates. However, legal citation fields may require manual entry or edits to ensure compliance with legal standards.
Conclusion
If you’ve ever asked how to cite a law in Chicago, you now have a comprehensive guide to follow. Whether you’re citing federal statutes, Illinois codes, or landmark court decisions, the key is accuracy, clarity, and consistency. The Chicago Manual of Style offers structured, flexible rules that adapt legal formats for academic and professional writing.
From learning the correct punctuation and structure to understanding how court case names and statutes appear in citations, you now have the tools to cite confidently. Legal citation isn’t just a matter of style—it’s about respect for the legal system and the reader’s ability to follow your research.
FAQ’s
How do you cite a federal law in Chicago Style?
You should include the law’s full name, the U.S. Code title and section number, and the year of enactment.
Example: Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e (1964).
Can I use Chicago Style to cite Illinois law?
Chicago Style supports citing state laws using the ILCS abbreviation, article, section, and year.
Example: 720 ILCS 5/12-1 (2022).
Does Chicago Style follow The Bluebook for legal citations?
The Chicago Manual of Style refers to legal citation rules in The Bluebook but permits simplified formats for academic writing outside legal journals.
Should legal citations go in the bibliography?
Legal citations typically appear in footnotes. However, full citations can also be included in the bibliography if required by your academic discipline.
Do I need to italicize case names in Chicago Style?
Yes, case names like Roe v. Wade must be italicized, followed by the volume number, reporter abbreviation, page number, and year.
Can I cite laws from online sources?
Absolutely. Be sure to include the name, citation info, and a stable URL from an official or reputable legal website, such as congress.gov.
