Illinois Criminal Procedure, within the Will County Circuit Court System, basically has the following procedural steps (when dealing with felonies or misdemeanors):

Arrest:
When a police officer has probable cause to believe that a suspect has committed a crime, the officer makes an arrest. This is the phase where your Miranda Rights are so important to assert. An arrest may occur either with or without a warrant. Arrest usually involves taking the suspect into custody and transporting him to the police station.
Booking:
At the police station, the suspect undergoes "booking" which includes entering information about him/her into a database, which includes photographing and fingerprinting the defendant, and setting a preliminary bail so that one can release themselves from jail.
Filing of a complaint:
The police officer usually will sign a complaint, which provides an oath that the violations of the law, by the defendant, are deemed to be believed as correct by the officer.
Information or Indictment:
In misdemeanor cases the prosecutor, whom is an employee of the County and the State if Illinois, usually creates a formal complaint called an "information", which will be given to the defendant in court upon a first appearance, which is usually an "arraginment". HOWEVER, in felony cases, the prosecutor will utilize the officers compaint as a basis for creating formal charges in a document called an "indictment". The indictment is taken to a set of anonymous persons, chosen from the general population, who serves periods of approximately one-to-three month time periods as the "Grand Jury". They decide the cases merits as to testimony from the officer. If the Grand Jury, chooses to indict the defendant, that written indictment is then used at the first appearance, called an arraignment.
Arraignment/First Appearance:
The defendant is read the charges against him, and is given his right to counsel. In misdemeanor cases, a defendant doesn't always have the right to (court appointed) counsel. Only if the defendant, in misdemeanor cases, faces "jail time" for as little at 1-day, does the defendant have a right to counsel to be appointed to him, if he cannot afford one. If the defendant is not facing any jail time, he can not get a court appointed attorney, but may, of course, if he has the financial resources, "hire" an attorney to ensure his rights and defend his case. HOWEVER, in all felony cases, if the defendant can not afford an attorney, one will be appointed to him by the court, usually called a "public defender."
Pre-Trial Stages:
These are proceedural stages, where motions may be filed, and information is ordered to be shared between The State and the Defendant.
Trial:
If the charge is a felony or a misdemeanor, punishable by more than 6 months in prison, all states give the defendant the right to have his/her case tried before a jury. This is the stage where testimony is heard, by witnesses, and or the defendant himself (if he chooses to testify). Many misdemeanor cases are heard in what's called a "Bench Trial". This is where the judge acts as the "jury" and decides on all matters of fact (which are usually left to a jury), and, decides on all matters of the law (which is the judges main focus in the court room).
Sentencing:
If the defendant pleads guilty, or is found guilty after a trial has taken place, then the judge may set a date and have the defendant sentenced.
Appeals:
A convicted defendant is then entitled to appeal.
Post-Conviction Remedies:
Both state and federal prisoners, even after direct appeal, may challenge their convictions through federal-court habeas corpus procedures.

Again, this is a basic framework for our criminal procedure process. There can be more or less steps (usually more) involved in the criminal procedure system, therefore it is imparitive that if you are "up against" this system, that you ensure your rights are protected. That is why I urge you, or a family member to contact me immediately.

Remember, just because you (or your loved one's) are arrested and put through this system, doesn't mean you are guilty. You have the right to fight back along every step of the way.