Short answer. In Illinois, small claims court covers claims up to $10,000. Where to file: Generally the county where the defendant lives or where the events happened. Filing fees are set by each county court; the fee table below shows an example.
Can I file my claim in Illinois small claims?
Enter an amount to compare it with the Illinois limit of $10,000.
Need the other side served? Process serving with an affidavit of service.
Illinois small claims at a glance
- Limit
- $10,000. $10,000 or less.
- Court
- Small claims, circuit court
- Who can file
- Anyone 18 or older, with or without a lawyer; a person under 18 must have a lawyer. A corporation must be represented by a lawyer.
- Lawyers
- Allowed
- Where to file
- Generally the county where the defendant lives or where the events happened. A business may be sued in any county where it does business or has an office.
- Serving the other side
- The circuit clerk by certified mail (lowest cost), the sheriff, or a special process server appointed by the court.
- Appeal
- Within 30 days after losing, file a motion asking the judge to reconsider, or an appeal to a higher court.
- Filing fees
- Set by your county court; ask the clerk. Each county's circuit clerk sets and publishes its own small claims fees: the Madison County and St. Clair County circuit clerks list different amounts for the same claim sizes.
Illinois filing fees
| Fee | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Madison County, claims up to $2,500 | $94 | |
| Madison County, over $2,500 up to $10,000 | $264 | |
| St. Clair County, $2,500 or less | $91 | fee schedule revised October 1, 2025 |
| St. Clair County, $2,500.01 or more | $266 |
Fees differ from county to county; check your county circuit clerk's fee schedule. Service costs extra. A fee waiver application is available.
Want us to handle it?
A runner files your papers in person at the clerk's window and sends you a scan of the stamped copy. We file what you prepared; we don't give legal advice.
Price: Outside New Jersey it goes through our contractor network: quote-based, confirmed before any work starts, and booked once a local contractor accepts. In New Jersey it is from $75 per filing, court fees at cost. Starting rates. Your exact price is quoted after we confirm a local notary/runner, before you pay.
Filing a small claim in Illinois, step by step
- Check that your claim fitsUse the checker above: the Illinois limit is $10,000, and the official wording is in the summary. Count only what you can show with papers or photos.
- Pick the right courtGenerally the county where the defendant lives or where the events happened. A business may be sued in any county where it does business or has an office.
- Fill out the claim and pay the feeSet by your county court; ask the clerk. Each county's circuit clerk sets and publishes its own small claims fees: the Madison County and St. Clair County circuit clerks list different amounts for the same claim sizes. Example: Madison County, claims up to $2,500: $94; Madison County, over $2,500 up to $10,000: $264; St. Clair County, $2,500 or less: $91; St. Clair County, $2,500.01 or more: $266. Fees differ from county to county; check your county circuit clerk's fee schedule. Service costs extra. A fee waiver application is available. Online filing: see the official link below.
- Have the other side servedThe circuit clerk by certified mail (lowest cost), the sheriff, or a special process server appointed by the court.
- Get ready for the hearingLawyers: allowed. Bring the contract, receipts, photos, messages and a short timeline, with copies for the judge and the other side.
- After the decisionWithin 30 days after losing, file a motion asking the judge to reconsider, or an appeal to a higher court.
Official Illinois links
- Illinois small claims self-help page
- Illinois online filing
- Illinois Supreme Court Library: Small Claims research guide
- Madison County (Illinois) Circuit Clerk: Small Claims Court
- St. Clair County (Illinois) Circuit Clerk: Fee Schedule (rev. Oct. 1, 2025)
Last checked November 2026.
General information checked against the official Illinois pages above, not legal advice. MCC Solutions isn't a law firm and isn't affiliated with any court. Rules and fees change: the official page and the clerk have the final word. The checker runs in your browser, and nothing you enter is sent or saved.
Illinois small claims questions
What is the small claims limit in Illinois?
$10,000. $10,000 or less.
How much does it cost to file a small claim in Illinois?
Set by your county court; ask the clerk. Each county's circuit clerk sets and publishes its own small claims fees: the Madison County and St. Clair County circuit clerks list different amounts for the same claim sizes. Example: Madison County, claims up to $2,500: $94; Madison County, over $2,500 up to $10,000: $264; St. Clair County, $2,500 or less: $91 (fee schedule revised October 1, 2025); St. Clair County, $2,500.01 or more: $266. Fees differ from county to county; check your county circuit clerk's fee schedule. Service costs extra. A fee waiver application is available.
Can a lawyer represent me in Illinois small claims?
Allowed in Illinois, per the official page. Anyone 18 or older, with or without a lawyer; a person under 18 must have a lawyer. A corporation must be represented by a lawyer.
Where do I file a small claim in Illinois?
Generally the county where the defendant lives or where the events happened. A business may be sued in any county where it does business or has an office.
Can I appeal a small claims decision in Illinois?
Within 30 days after losing, file a motion asking the judge to reconsider, or an appeal to a higher court.
How is the other side served in a Illinois small claims case?
The circuit clerk by certified mail (lowest cost), the sheriff, or a special process server appointed by the court.
Compare every state: small claims limits by state · Idaho small claims · Indiana small claims