Money & Debt

Small claims courts handle civil legal issues involving amounts of money up to $10,000. Every county circuit court in Illinois offers small claims cases. Compared with many other kinds of legal matters, small claims cases offer:

• Simpler rules,
• A faster timeline, 
• Lower costs, and
• A more welcoming experience for self-represented people.

Small claims cases can only decide whether the defendant owes money to the plaintiff. Other kinds of cases are needed for:

• Divorce, 
• Making a person move out (eviction),
• Getting an order requiring a person to do or not do something, 
• Changing an agency's decision, and
• Getting property back.