IL State Guide

Illinois Small Claims Court

Small Claims Court (Circuit Court)

$10,000

Maximum Claim

$40 - $175

Filing Fees

30-90 days

Timeline

In-person

Hearing Format

Court Information

Court Name

Small Claims Court (Circuit Court)

Attorneys

Allowed

Appeal Rights

Appeal to Appellate Court within 30 days

Court Website

https://www.illinoiscourts.gov

Statute of Limitations

10 years

Written Contracts

5 years

Oral Contracts

5 years

Property Damage

Unique Rules in Illinois

Cook County has special procedures

Pro se assistance available

How to File in Illinois

Determine if your case qualifies for small claims court

Send a demand letter to the other party

File your claim at the correct courthouse

Serve the defendant with the lawsuit

Prepare your evidence and presentation

Attend the hearing and present your case

Amendment Filing Fees in Illinois

Amendment Fee Range

Amendment fees in Illinois typically range from $15-$50, depending on the court and type of amendment.

Important Note

Contact your local court clerk for exact amendment fees, as they vary by jurisdiction.

When Amendments Are Allowed

Before the defendant is served

To correct clerical errors or add necessary details

With court permission after service

Cannot increase claim amount beyond court limits

Common Amendment Types

Correct Defendant Name

Fix misspellings or add proper legal names

Add Damages

Include additional damages discovered later

Clarify Facts

Provide clearer description of the dispute

State-Specific Resources

Additional guides and information for Illinois small claims cases

Complete Small Claims Guide

Comprehensive guide to filing, preparing, and winning your small claims court case nationwide.

Demand Letter Templates

Free templates and examples for writing effective demand letters before filing your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the small claims limit in Illinois?

The maximum you can sue for in Illinois small claims court is $10,000.

How much does it cost to file in Illinois?

Filing fees in Illinois range from $40 - $175, depending on the claim amount.

Are attorneys allowed in Illinois small claims court?

Yes, attorneys are allowed to represent parties in Illinois small claims court.

How long does a case take in Illinois?

From filing to hearing typically takes 30-90 days in Illinois.

Can I appeal a small claims decision in Illinois?

Appeal to Appellate Court within 30 days

Counties We Serve in Illinois

Find small claims court information for your county

All 102 Counties in Illinois

Adams County Alexander County Bond County Boone County Brown County Bureau County Calhoun County Carroll County Cass County Champaign County Christian County Clark County Clay County Clinton County Coles County Cook County Crawford County Cumberland County De Witt County DeKalb County Douglas County DuPage County Edgar County Edwards County Effingham County Fayette County Ford County Franklin County Fulton County Gallatin County Greene County Grundy County Hamilton County Hancock County Hardin County Henderson County Henry County Iroquois County Jackson County Jasper County Jefferson County Jersey County Jo Daviess County Johnson County Kane County Kankakee County Kendall County Knox County Lake County LaSalle County Lawrence County Lee County Livingston County Logan County Macon County Macoupin County Madison County Marion County Marshall County Mason County Massac County McDonough County McHenry County McLean County Menard County Mercer County Monroe County Montgomery County Morgan County Moultrie County Ogle County Peoria County Perry County Piatt County Pike County Pope County Pulaski County Putnam County Randolph County Richland County Rock Island County Saline County Sangamon County Schuyler County Scott County Shelby County St. Clair County Stark County Stephenson County Tazewell County Union County Vermilion County Wabash County Warren County Washington County Wayne County White County Whiteside County Will County Williamson County Winnebago County Woodford County

State-Specific Resources

Additional guides and information for Illinois small claims cases

Complete Small Claims Guide

Comprehensive guide to filing, preparing, and winning your small claims court case nationwide.

Demand Letter Templates

Free templates and examples for writing effective demand letters before filing your case.

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