Court & Hearings

A lawsuit is a legal case that asks a court to make someone do something or stop doing something. For example, a lawsuit might ask the court to make someone pay money, return property, or move out of an apartment.

This page explains how to start a general civil lawsuit in state court. Some types of cases, like eviction or divorce, may follow different rules or steps.

The person who starts a lawsuit is called the plaintiff or petitioner. The person being sued is called the defendant or respondent. A plaintiff or petitioner can sue more than one person in the same case. You can also file lawsuits against businesses or government officials.

Depending on what you are suing for or how much money is involved, you may be able to file a small claims case instead. Small claims cases are lawsuits for money disputes up to $10,000. These cases usually use simpler forms and steps. For information about bringing or responding to a small claims case, see Suing someone for $10,000 or less.

Note: This guide is for cases in Illinois state court. If your case is in federal court, see our Federal court common questions.