Want it filled in for you? Answer a few plain-English questions and get a completed draft of the CS-C 702.1 Small Claims Complaint — every field filled in from your answers, ready to copy onto the official form — plus a script for the hearing and an evidence checklist. Checking is free; $19 for the completed documents.
Check if your Illinois claim qualifiesThe Illinois Small Claims Form
📄 CS-C 702.1 Small Claims Complaint (+CS-S 705.1 summons, ATJ 601.9 fee waiver)
The form that opens your case. Download it free from illinoiscourts.gov.
Illinois Limit, Fee and Filing Rules
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Circuit Court (Small Claims, SCR 281–289) |
| Claim limit | $10,000 |
| Claim form | CS-C 702.1 Small Claims Complaint (+CS-S 705.1 summons, ATJ 601.9 fee waiver) |
| Filing fee | Varies by county or court in Illinois — confirm the exact amount with the clerk before you file |
| Serving the defendant | Clerk certified mail (county practice) or sheriff/private; CS-S 705.1 documents both (confirm the current service rules with the clerk) |
| Law that sets the limit | Ill. S. Ct. R. 281 |
| Court data verified | October 6, 2026 |
Filing Deadlines in Illinois
How long the law gives you to file. When the clock starts depends on the claim, so do not leave it late: a claim filed after the deadline can be dismissed however strong it is.
| Type of claim | Time to file | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Written contract | 10 years | 735 ILCS 5/13-206 |
| Oral / verbal agreement | 5 years | 735 ILCS 5/13-205 |
| Damage to property | 5 years | 735 ILCS 5/13-205 |
| Personal injury | 2 years | 735 ILCS 5/13-202 |
| Unpaid debt or account | 5 years — 4 years where the debt arises from a contract for the sale of goods, under UCC § 2-725, which 13-205 expressly excepts. A debt on a written contract instead runs 10 years under 735 ILCS 5/13-206. | 735 ILCS 5/13-205 |
Not sure which type yours is? The statute of limitations lookup covers more claim types.
Being Sued in Illinois Instead?
Do you file an answer? Appear at the time and place on the summons. No answer is needed unless the court orders one; the complaint is then treated as denied. (Ill. S. Ct. R. 286(a))
The been-sued deadline lookup covers what happens if you do nothing.
Where to Get the Official Illinois Forms
Court forms are free from the official sources below. Use the current version from your court.
- Official claim form — illinoiscourts.gov
- Official source — illinoiscourts.gov
- Official source — illinoiscourts.gov
- The law itself — Ill. S. Ct. R. 281
- The clerk of the Circuit Court (Small Claims, SCR 281–289) — can give you the current form and tell you whether your court adds any local paperwork.
The Illinois Small Claims Forms You Need
Illinois’ standardized forms use CS- prefixes (complaint and summons) and an ATJ prefix for the fee waiver. The main ones:
📄 Small Claims Complaint — CS-C 702.1
The statewide standardized form that opens your case. It identifies the plaintiff and defendant, states the amount you are claiming (up to $10,000), and describes the basis of the claim. This is the one form every Illinois small claims case needs.
📬 Small Claims Summons — CS-S 705.1
The summons the clerk issues to notify the defendant. The Proof of Service and an Affidavit for Service by Certified Mail are built into pages 3–4 of this same form, so it documents service as well.
💵 Application for Waiver of Court Fees (Civil) — ATJ 601.9
The statewide fee-waiver form (branded FW-CIV). If you cannot afford the filing fee, submit this and the court decides whether to waive your court costs.
⚖️ If the defendant responds — Appearance & Answer
The summons directs the defendant to the statewide Appearance and Answer forms. If they do not respond after valid service, you can ask the court for judgment; ask the clerk about your court’s default procedure.
Source: illinoiscourts.gov. Confirm with the court before you rely on it.
How does Illinois compare? See the small claims limits and filing fees for every state.
Illinois Small Claims Forms: FAQ
❓ What form do I file to start a small claims case in Illinois?
The form that opens the case is the CS-C 702.1 Small Claims Complaint. The official source is illinoiscourts.gov. Court-issued forms are free; you pay only the filing fee.
❓ How much can you sue for in Illinois small claims court?
In Illinois you can claim up to $10,000 in the Circuit Court (Small Claims, SCR 281–289). If your claim is larger, you can usually reduce it to the limit or file in a higher court instead.
❓ How much does it cost to file small claims in Illinois?
Filing fees in Illinois vary by county or court, so confirm the exact amount with the clerk of the Circuit Court (Small Claims, SCR 281–289) before you file. Serving the defendant usually costs extra.
❓ Can you fill in the Illinois small claims form for me?
Yes. Answer a few plain-English questions and we produce a completed draft of the CS-C 702.1 Small Claims Complaint, with every field filled in from your answers, ready to copy onto the official form and file. It comes with a script for the hearing and an evidence checklist.
Want it filled in for you?
A few plain-English questions about your Illinois case, then review and file. Checking is free; $19 for the completed documents.
Check if your Illinois claim qualifiesGeneral information, not legal advice. SmallClaimsHelper prepares documents; it is not a law firm.