SPRINGFIELD — Paperless filing in civil cases will soon be the rule in Illinois rather than the exception.The state’s top court announced today that e-filing will be required in civil cases both the appellate court and Supreme Court by July 2017 and in all circuit courts beginning in 2018.The announcement says the shift from hard-copy filing will help the environment and should save money in the long run, but it will require a unified filing system that could result in new or increased court fees.Chief Justice …