Illinois Statutes of Limitations
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Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed June 20, 2016
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All states, including Illinois, place time limits for filing lawsuits or prosecuting crimes. These time limits are called statutes of limitations and often vary by the type of civil action or crime. For instance, the time limit for Illinois to prosecute a defendant for aggravated criminal sexual abuse is 10 years, but only 18 months for misdemeanors. Civil statutes of limitations range from one to 20 years, with a two-year limit for personal injury claims. Understanding the statute of limitations that applies to your situation is very important if you plan to file a lawsuit or are involved in a criminal case. Click on the links below to learn more.