What it costs to file in Illinois
The court charges this when you hand in the claim. It is separate from the amount you are claiming.
Set by each court
This state does not set one statewide fee. The court where you file publishes its own.
More about Illinois
Common questions
- What does it cost to file a small claims claim in Illinois?
- Illinois does not set one statewide fee. Each court publishes its own, so check the court where you will file.
- How much can you claim in small claims court in Illinois?
- An individual can claim up to $10,000. A business can claim up to $10,000. A public agency can claim up to $10,000. That comes from Ill. S. Ct. Rule 281.
- Which court handles small claims in Illinois?
- Circuit Court, Small Claims. The circuit court for the county where the other side lives or where the dispute happened. Small claims are a simplified track inside that court.
- How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in Illinois?
- The shortest window is 4 years, counted from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken, under 810 ILCS 5/2-725(1). Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.
Verify with your court
Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open Illinois's small claims page and confirm anything you are about to rely on.
Open the court's small claims pageVerified on 2026-09-05, sources:
Verified on 2026-09-05, sources: Rules effective from 2026-07-01.
- 705 ILCS 105/27.1b(a) · effective 2026-07-01 · Filing fees are set by each county board within maximums fixed by statute, so the amount differs from county to county. Your circuit clerk's fee schedule has the exact amount. No fee is charged for a defendant's appearance in a small claim.
FairSquare assembles documents and explains your court's rules. It is not a substitute for advice about your situation.