{"id":373150,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:05","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/illinois-law\/illinois-small-claims-courts.html"},"modified":"2023-09-25T08:12:47","modified_gmt":"2023-09-25T13:12:47","slug":"illinois-small-claims-courts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/illinois-law\/illinois-small-claims-courts.html","title":{"rendered":"Illinois Small Claims Courts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Illinois Small Claims Courts<\/h1>\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Small claims court allows non-legal professionals to quickly and efficiently resolve their legal disputes on their own behalf. In Illinois, plaintiffs<\/a> may file civil cases<\/a> in the small claims courts<\/a> if the claim does not exceed $10,000.00<\/a>. The County Circuit Court processes relatively minor civil claims per Illinois Supreme Court Rules.<\/p>\r\n

A litigant representing themselves in court is known as a pro se<\/a> litigant. Parties to a small claims case are not required to hire attorneys to represent them. However, they are allowed to hire attorneys if they wish.<\/p>\r\n

This article briefly summarizes Illinois’ small claims court processes and rules. If you are involved in a small claims case, you may find the following links helpful:<\/p>\r\n