Court & Hearings
Responding to an existing case
If someone files a lawsuit against you, you have options. These resources can help.
Learn your rights (3 resources)
Explains how to respond to a small claims case if you are the one being sued.
Guide
Forms (9 resources)
A program to help you complete the forms to ask a judge to do something in a case you are involved in.
Easy Form
A program to help you create Answer and Appearance forms to respond to a lawsuit.
Easy Form
A program to help you tell the court and the other parties that you are participating in a court case.
Easy Form
A program to help you tell the court and the other parties that you are participating in a court case. The form can be directly e-filed if using a fee waiver.
Easy Form
Other resources for the public (25 resources)
As of September 18, 2023, Illinois courts no longer use a cash bail system. Instead, they use a “pretrial release” system as allowed by the SAFE-T Act. Learn more about this new system and what it means.
Text article
Information about what a summons is and how to serve someone in a civil case.
Text article
Explains how to look up information on court cases at the courthouse and online.
Text article
Offers information about when to go to court in a lawsuit case.
Text article
Lawyer resources (6 resources)
A video explaining what papers you need to file and what you need to do if you're being sued.
Video
Manual on attorney-client relationships, settlement, subject matter jurisdiction, venue, pleadings, affidavits, etc. 2023 edition.
IICLE
Manual about jurisdiction, grand jury, pretrial discovery and motions, jury selection, habeas corpus, appeals, etc. 2023 edition
IICLE