How to Answer a Summons for Debt Collection in Illinois (2024 Guide)

Fact-checked by George Simons, JD/MBA

If you are a resident of Illinois and you have just been served with a debt collection lawsuit, then you need to know how to respond.

If you do respond, you will greatly increase your chances of not having to pay the debt at all. That is because debt collectors love to initiate lawsuits, but they rarely have the evidence or resources to follow through with the case.

Indeed, a lot of debt collectors file lawsuits with the expectation that a debtor will simply not show up to court—because that is typically what happens. When a debtor fails to respond to a lawsuit, the debtor automatically loses the case, and the debt collector wins. Don't fall victim to that strategy.

SoloSuit can give you the tools, consistent with Illinois debt collection laws, to effectively push back against a debt collector's lawsuit. By doing so, you might just be able to show the court that the debt collector is wrong and that you do not owe anything on the alleged debt.

In this blog, we cover the basics of responding to a debt collection lawsuit in the state of Illinois. We will cover how, when, and where to respond to a lawsuit so that you can feel confident to stand up for your rights in court and win.

Let's jump right in.

Respond to your Illinois debt collection Summons before the deadline

Generally, the deadline to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in Illinois is 30 days. The clock starts on the deadline as soon as the Summons and Complaint have been officially served to the defendant.

More specifically, Illinois Rules of Civil Procedure 735 ILCS 5/2-208 states:

“No default shall be entered until the expiration of at least 30 days after service. A default judgment entered on such service may be set aside only on a showing which would be timely and sufficient to set aside a default judgment entered on personal service within this State.”

This is just a fancy, legal way of saying that you have 30 days from the day you received the Summons and Complaint to file your Appearance and Answer forms in the court before you lose by default. After the deadline, the debt collector can file a motion for default judgment, and if it is granted, will have the right to garnish your wages and seize your property.

Respond to your debt collection lawsuit before the deadline with SoloSuit.

Use an Illinois Answer to Complaint form

There are a number of ways to create an “Answer,” or response, to a debt collection lawsuit. The first, and easiest, way is to use the SoloSuit Debt Answer form.

At SoloSuit, software guides you through the process to respond to a debt lawsuit in Illinois (or any State in the United States). It takes minutes to fill out the form online, and it is personalized to your case. Check out our easy-to-use automated service.

Here's a sample of the Answer form you can create with SoloSuit.

The other way to respond in Illinois is to use the forms provided by the State of Illinois court system, if you would like to do it on your own. The form is found here: AR-A 1403.4.

You must also file an “Appearance” at the same time you file an Answer. While an Answer essentially responds to the Complaint, the Appearance is the way you tell the court that you wish to be heard in the lawsuit. As with the Answer, SoloSuit can help you create your Appearance document. That said, if you want to do it on your own, you can also find the Appearance form here: AP-P 503.7.

Given that you need to respond in a format that an Illinois court will accept, it is important to take advantage of either SoloSuit's automated service, or the forms provided by the Illinois courts.

Illinois courts charge a filing fee for Appearances and Answers

In order to file an Answer in Illinois, you must first file an Appearance form. This is an official declaration that you plan to appear in court and fight the case. The fee to file an Answer is technically free, but you must pay a fee in all Illinois courts to file an Appearance. Without an Appearance, your Answer will not be considered.

Each court in Illinois has specific fee amounts to file an Appearance and Answer. In general, the filing fee in Illinois ranges from $109-$251, depending on the amount in question and the court that has jurisdiction over the case.

SoloSuit calculates the filing fee for you and delivers it to the court.

You can also try calling the court clerk to figure out your filing fee amount. There are two different Appearance filing fee amounts for each Illinois court: one for small claims cases that involve $2,500 or less, and another for cases with more than $2,500 at stake.

Knowing how much you are being sued for will help you figure out how much you have to pay to file your response. If you cannot afford to pay the filing fee, you can ask the court to waive the fee. Of course, as with all bureaucracies, you will need to fill out yet another form. To request a fee waiver, fill out the Application for Waiver of Court Fees form, which is basically you asking the court to allow you to file your Appearance and Answer documents for free.

To demonstrate, let’s look at an example of how to file an Answer in the Small Claims Court Illinois Cook County.

Follow these steps to respond to a debt collection case in Illinois

Now that we have talked a little about filing deadlines and fees, let's quickly review the basics of a debt collection case in Illinois so you understand the process and the necessary documents that are part of that process.

A debt collection lawsuit begins when the plaintiff (debt collector or the collector's lawyer) files a lawsuit in court. Then, the plaintiff must send a court Summons and Complaint to the defendant (the person being sued). The titles of these documents really help explain what they are.

The “Summons” literally summons, or calls, you into court. It is an official notification that you are being sued for a debt that you supposedly owe.

The “Complaint,” on the other hand, is what the debt collector is literally complaining about. It lists all the specific allegations, or claims, being made against you. In a debt collection lawsuit, the Complaint essentially states the following: “You owe me money, and you have not paid.”

Once you get the Summons and Complaint in hand, it is your turn to respond. Just like in any dispute in regular life, when someone complains about something, you respond by either admitting guilt or defending yourself.

In Illinois, you must respond with an Appearance form and an Answer form. The Appearance document is a statewide form that declares you plan to appear in court. It lets you choose if you want a trial with just a judge or one with both a judge and jury. The Answer document is where you respond to each claim from the Complaint and give your defenses.

To respond to a debt collection Summons and Complaint in Illinois, follow these three steps:

1. Answer each claim listed in the Complaint.
2. Assert your affirmative defenses.
3. File the Appearance and Answer with the court, and send a copy to the plaintiff's attorney.

SoloSuit can help you draft and file an Answer in just 15 minutes.

If you don't like reading, check out this video instead:

1. Answer each claim listed in the Complaint

The first section of your Answer document should focus on responding to each claim that is listed in the Complaint document.

Illinois Rules of Civil Procedure Section 735 ILCS 5/2-610(a-b) states:

“Every answer and subsequent pleading shall contain an explicit admission or denial of each allegation of the pleading to which it relates.

"Every allegation, except allegations of damages, not explicitly denied is admitted, unless the party states in his or her pleading that he or she has no knowledge thereof sufficient to form a belief, and attaches an affidavit of the truth of the statement of want of knowledge, or unless the party has had no opportunity to deny.”

In other words, you must respond to each allegation, or claim, listed in the Complaint. If you don't respond to one of the claims, the court will consider it an admission.

As you look at the Complaint you received, find the list of numbered paragraphs that contain the specific claims being made against you. You should respond to each claim in a numbered list on your Answer document.

Choose one of the following responses to each of the Complaint's claims:

1. Admit—this is like saying, “This is true.”
2. Deny—this is like saying, “Prove it.”
3. Deny due to lack of knowledge—this is like saying, “I don't know.”

Most attorneys recommend that you deny as many claims as possible. This forces the other side to prove what they are claiming is true. If they don't have enough documentation or evidence to do so, they might dismiss the case altogether.

Remember, if the Complaint has information that you both agree and disagree with, then you would be wise to choose “Deny” for those paragraphs. You will have time later to clarify what exactly you are denying in those paragraphs that are only partially true.

2. Assert your affirmative defenses

Now that you have addressed every single numbered claim in the Complaint, you're ready to assert your affirmative defenses. As we said before, when you get in a dispute, you not only disagree with the other person's comments, but you give reasons for why you took the actions you took. In short, you provide defenses for why you are not guilty of what you are being accused of—these are called affirmative defenses.

Section 735 ILCS 5/2-613 of Illinois Rules of Civil Procedure states:

“(d) The facts constituting any affirmative defense, such as payment, release, satisfaction, discharge, license, fraud, duress, estoppel, laches, statute of frauds, illegality, that the negligence of a complaining party contributed in whole or in part to the injury of which he complains, that an instrument or transaction is either void or voidable in point of law, or cannot be recovered upon by reason of any statute or by reason of nondelivery, want or failure of consideration in whole or in part, and any defense which by other affirmative matter seeks to avoid the legal effect of or defeat the cause of action set forth in the complaint, counterclaim, or third-party complaint, in whole or in part, and any ground or defense, whether affirmative or not, which, if not expressly stated in the pleading, would be likely to take the opposite party by surprise, must be plainly set forth in the answer or reply.”

This law means that you have the option of adding what are called “affirmative defenses” to your Answer document. These are legal reasons that explain why you do not owe the debt in question, or why the legal action being taken against you is invalid.

If you plan to use any affirmative defenses in your case, you must include them in your initial Answer document. Failure to assert an affirmative defense may mean you cannot bring up that defense in the case if it progresses to a hearing or trial.

Some of the most common affirmative defenses that people use in Illinois when responding to a debt collection lawsuit include the following:

• You already paid the debt, or you started paying part of the debt.
• The agreement underlying the debt has been terminated.
• The creditor has already said that you do not owe the debt.
• You co-signed a contract, and no one told you that you would be liable under the contract.
• The lawsuit can't move forward because the debt collector did not attach the actual agreement that supposedly created the debt.
• The debt collector lacks “standing,” meaning that the debt collector has not shown in the Complaint that he owns the debt.
• The debt collector has run out of time because he filed the lawsuit beyond the Illinois debt collection statute of limitations. As discussed further below, debt collection lawsuits must be filed within a certain amount of time.

Make the right defense the right way with SoloSuit

The Answer form may not provide space for affirmative defenses, but the form does allow you to attach additional statements to the form. You should be sure to include your affirmative defenses (as many listed above as apply to you) on that separate sheet of paper.

Unfortunately, an inability to pay a debt does not count as a valid affirmative defense.

3. File the Appearance and Answer with the court, and send a copy to the plaintiff's attorney.

Once you have taken the time to create your Answer document, all you have left to do is (1) file the Answer with the court, and (2) make sure that the plaintiff gets a copy. Let's talk about those two steps.

To file your Answer with the court, Illinois requires that you file online. The way to do that is to follow the instructions for e-filing. If you do not have access to a computer, then you can go to the Circuit Court Clerk's office for help e-filing your Answer; in some areas, you may be required to use a public terminal to e-file. The Answer can either be on paper or saved on a flash drive. E-filing can be surprisingly complicated; here is more information.

The court will not consider your Answer document if it is not filed with an Appearance document. This rule is only specific to Illinois. So, when filing your Answer, be sure to file an Appearance form as well.

To send a copy to your adversary, you can send your Answer by hand delivery, by regular mail, by FedEx or UPS, or email (if the adversary provided an email address). Remember the debt collector should get a copy of your Answer. But if the debt collector has an attorney, then the Answer should go to that attorney's address instead.

Make sure that you keep a copy of your Appearance and Answer for your records.

SoloSuit can file your Answer for you in Illinois and all other states.

Finally, the State of Illinois asks that you include a “Proof of Delivery” section in your Answer. Room on the Answer form is provided for this Proof of Delivery information. Simply put, the Proof of Delivery is the way that you tell the court how you sent a copy of your Answer to the debt collector, or his lawyer. SoloSuit's Answer form includes this section.

What is SoloSuit?

SoloSuit makes it easy to fight debt collectors.

You can use SoloSuit to respond to a debt lawsuit, to send letters to collectors, and even to settle a debt.

SoloSuit's Answer service is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your Answer. Upon completion, we'll have an attorney review your document and we'll file it for you.

>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit. (We can help you in all 50 states.)

Check the statute of limitations on debt in Illinois

Debt collectors cannot hold a debt over your head forever. Illinois debt collection laws protect you from being sued for debt that is super old. The Illinois statute of limitations on debt declares that creditors only have a limited amount of time to sue you for a debt. The limitations period depends on the kind of debt you owe.

In Illinois, the statute of limitations on debt resulting from an oral contract is five years, according to Illinois Rules of Civil Procedure 735 ILCS 5/13-205.

For credit card debt, medical debt, auto loan debt, student loan debt, mortgage, debt, and other personal loan debt, the Illinois statute of limitations is tens years, as outlined in (735 ILCS 5/13-206).

The table below further outlines the Illinois statute of limitations on different types of debt:

Statute of Limitations on Debt in Illinois

Debt Type	Deadline
Oral Contract	5 years
Credit Card	10 years
Medical	10 years
Auto Loan	10 years
Student Loan	10 years
Mortgage	10 years
Judgment	20 years
Source: 735 ILCS 5/13-205, 5/13-206, and 5/13-218

Note that the statute of limitations clock starts to run on the date of your last payment. This means that if a debt collector reaches out about an old debt, and you start making payments on the account, the clock on the statute of limitations will restart. This is why you should always check the statute of limitations on your debt before making any payments or payment plans, or acknowledging that you owe it.

It's also worth noting tha the statute of limitations on a judgment is infinitely renewable in Illinois. So, if you get sued and a judgment is entered in your case, the plaintiff can continue to renew the judgment until the debt is paid off, typically via wage garnishment.

Now, let's consider an example.

Settle debt in Illinois

If your debt is still within the statute of limitations, the chances of a dismissal as less likely. Luckily, you still have options.

One of the most effective ways to eliminate debt is to settle for less than you currently owe. Many creditors and debt collectors would prefer to accept a lower settlement offer rather than go through a lengthy collections process or endure legal fees. Here’s how you can settle debt in Illinois and leave the debt behind you.

File an Answer in the event of a lawsuit

If you’ve been sued over your unpaid debt, your first course of action needs to be responding to the lawsuit. You’ll need to file an “Answer,” which is a document that communicates your willingness to fight the lawsuit in court.

Act fast. Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have as little as 14 days to file an Answer. Miss this window, and the court can render a default judgment in favor of your debt collector.

Not sure where to start? SoloSuit offers an online tool that helps you draft your Answer. Just answer a few simple questions, and you can download the Answer and mail it to your local court.

Avoid a default judgment by filing your Answer with SoloSuit today.

Make an initial offer to start negotiating

Settling debt is all about the fine art of negotiating. Start by offering to pay 60% of your original debt. Ideally, your debt collector will accept this, but if not, they can respond with a counteroffer.

Admittedly, this can be a challenge if you’re not used to the process. Thankfully, SoloSettle can act as a “middleman” between you and your debt collector. You can use the online platform to negotiate debt without ever having to interact directly with the debt collector, and when it’s time for payment, SoloSettle can handle that process as well.

Insist on a debt settlement agreement in writing

You’ll want to get your debt settlement agreement in writing before you pay a single cent. Having a written agreement can prevent misunderstandings and ensure you and your debt collector are on the same page.

Make sure your settlement agreement records:

• Your settlement amount
• The terms of your payment
• A waiver absolving you of your remaining balance once the settlement is paid

Your debt collector will also be obligated to report that your debt is paid in full to consumer credit bureaus. For added peace of mind, you can have the agreement notarized, thus forming a contract between you and the debt collector.

Remember your rights

Keep in mind that at any point in the debt settlement process, you have rights. For example, under the Illinois Collection Agency Act 225 ILCS 425/1, debt collectors can’t take actions like publishing your outstanding debt or disclosing your debt to parties with no business interest.

To learn more about how to settle debt, we interviewed an attorney. Watch the video below for some expert lawyer tips on debt settlement.

Utilize Illinois legal aid organizations

Hiring an attorney can be tricky and expensive. Luckily, the state of Illinois has several legal aid organizations that can help people who cannot or do not want to hire a lawyer and are representing themselves. Here are some of the prominent legal aid organizations in Illinois:

Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. (for Northern Illinois)
303 North Main Street, Suite 600
Rockford, IL 61101
(815) 965-2134
https://www.pslegal.org/

Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc. (for Southern Illinois)
8787 State Street, Suite 201
East St. Louis, IL 62203
(887) 342-7891
https://lincolnlegal.org/

Online Legal Aid
https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/

Respond to a collection agency in Illinois

If you've only received a collections notice, but not a lawsuit, the best way to respond is with a Debt Validation Letter.

When a debt collector contacts you in any way, whether it's by phone or mail, you can respond by formally requesting a debt validation with a Debt Validation Letter . This letter notifies the collector that you dispute the debt and forces them to provide proof you owe the debt. They can't call you or continue collecting until they provide validation of the debt.

This flowchart shows how you can use a Debt Validation Letter to win.

Get started with a Debt Validation Letter here.

Stop wage garnishment in Illinois

Losing a court case can result in a judgment against you. This can lead to wage garnishment, which means that your creditor has the authority to take a portion of your paycheck until the debt is fully repaid.

However, Illinois has wage garnishment laws that limit the amount your creditor can seize. Here’s how Illinois wage garnishment laws protect you and your finances.

Wage garnishment is limited to your disposable earnings

As in most states, Illinois wage garnishment is limited to what’s called your “disposable” earnings. This refers to the portion of your paycheck that remains after deducting required withholdings — mainly your state and federal taxes.

However, your disposable earnings can still include the parts of your paycheck allocated toward voluntary withholdings. So the money you contribute to health insurance or retirement contributions can also be garnished.

Illinois sets limits on wage garnishment

In most states, debt collectors can garnish up to 25% of your paycheck. Illinois has restrictions that are a bit more favorable to debtors. According to 740 ILCS 170/4, creditors can only garnish the lesser of the following:

• 15% of your disposable earnings.
• The amount of your disposable earnings exceeding 45 times the Illinois minimum wage, which is currently $13/hour.

However, there are exceptions to this rule for certain types of debts. For example, if you owe back payments for child support, your wages can be garnished at a rate of 50%.

Illinois limits what types of income can be garnished

State law also restricts the type of income that can be garnished. Creditors cannot garnish any of the following sources of income:

• Unemployment compensation benefits
• Workers' compensation benefits
• Social Security, SSI benefits, and disability
• Pension and retirement benefits and refunds
• Public assistance benefits
• Veterans' benefits
• Circuit breaker property tax relief benefits
• Child support

Illinois also allows for something called a “wildcard” exemption, which protects up to $4,000 of your assets from being garnished on a case-by-case basis.

File an exemption to stop wage garnishment

Illinois residents have the right to file an Emergency Motion to Claim Exemption. If granted, this will exempt the money currently in your bank account from being garnished.

While this won’t stop the garnishment of your paychecks, it ensures that your current assets are intact so that you can pay for basic necessities, such as your housing, food, utilities, and emergency expenses.

Opt for debt settlement

You can often avoid wage garnishment altogether by filing an Answer. Once drafted, you can either pay the debt in full or try to negotiate with the creditor or debt collector to settle your debt for less than the original amount. SoloSettle makes this process easy and straightforward.

Other Illinois debt collection laws protect you

Wage garnishment limitations aren't the only debt collection laws that protect you in Illinois.

Consumers in Illinois are protected from harassment at the hands of debt collectors. Both federal and Illinois debt collection laws prohibit aggressive or dishonest debt collection tactics. Take a closer look at your rights against overzealous debt collection practices.

Illinois residents are protected by federal law

Illinois residents are protected at the federal level by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This act prohibits debt collectors from engaging in such activities as:

• Calling you more than once per day.
• Calling you after 9 p.m. or before 8 a.m.
• Threatening to arrest you for not paying your debt
• Declining to validate your debt
• Ignoring a cease and desist letter
• Speaking with you if they know you have an attorney
• Failing to identify themselves as a debt collector
• Talking to your friends, family, or coworkers about your debt
• Using vulgar language

You can report violations to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Contact the FTC through the FTC website or by calling 877-382-4357. You can reach the CFPB through the CFPB website or by calling 855-411-2372.

Keep in mind, however, that the FDCPA only applies to third-party debt collectors. Your original creditor is not bound by these restrictions.

Illinois protects you from debt collectors

Illinois state law goes beyond the provisions of the FDCPA. According to the Illinois Collection Agency Act (ICAA), debt collectors are prohibited from:

• Wearing an unauthorized badge or uniform.
• Threatening to seize your property to repay the debt.
• Falsely claiming to represent an attorney.
• Attempting to intimidate you with attorney fees or other penalties.

The ICAA also requires that debt collectors provide you with the details of your debt in writing within 5 days of contacting you. And if your current creditor is not the same as your original creditor, the collector must provide evidence outlining your debt within 30 days of contacting you.

Once you receive this documentation, you have 30 days to dispute the debt. You can also compel the debt collector to provide evidence of the debt through a Debt Validation Letter. Never pay a dime until you have documented proof that the debt is yours.

Illinois sets a statute of limitations on debt

A statute of limitations means that debt collectors can only take legal action within a certain period of time. Your debt doesn’t disappear after the statute of limitations expires, but the statute does prevent your collector from suing you over unpaid debt.

In Illinois, the statute of limitations is ten years for most debts, as we mentioned before.

Remember that the statute of limitations is measured by the date of your last payment — not the original date of the debt. Some debt collectors may pressure you to make a “good faith” payment to keep your account in good standing. If you do this, you’ll restart the clock on your statute of limitations.

It’s better to respond to a collector by sending a Debt Validation Letter, an Answer, or in some cases, a Cease and Desist Letter. SoloSuit can help you respond to a debt collector effectively.

Find debt relief in Illinois

If you’re struggling with high debt, you have several options. Illinois debt relief can come in the form of strategies and programs specifically for debt assistance, as well as other programs aimed to help you better manage your finances. Here are some of your best options.

Consolidate your debt

Debt consolidation means that you replace multiple debt payments with a single loan. Ideally, your new loan has a lower interest rate than any of your previous payments, which allows you to save on interest payments and get out of debt faster.

While this is a good option, the best rates and terms will go to those with strong credit. Also, if you fall behind in your debt payments, you’ll only be adding to your financial burdens.

Similarly, bankruptcy offers a potential solution to dealing with debt, but it should typically only be considered after you’ve explored all other options.

Settle your debt

Debt settlement is a great way to eliminate your debt for less than what you owe. You can do this by yourself using a tool using SoloSettle, or by contacting a third-party debt relief company.

A debt relief agency will ask you to open a dedicated account and deposit monthly payments. Once the account reaches a predetermined threshold, the agency will contact your creditor to negotiate payment terms.

Many such agencies promise debt relief in as little as 5 years. However, it’s important to know there are many scams, especially for specialized debt such as student loans. And even if the debt relief company acts honorably, your credit can still take a hit while you wait for your money to accumulate. You may even have to pay a fee for their services.

Settle your debt on your own by using SoloSettle.

Consider financial assistance

Debt can create a major financial burden for individuals and their families. Illinois offers multiple options that you can tap into to help you manage your finances as well as your debt:

• Illinois Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): Financial assistance for families containing children and expectant mothers.
• Mental Health Services: Help for adults and adolescents with mental health concerns.
• Illinois Helpline: Treatment and addiction recovery services for Illinois residents.
• Illinois Housing Help: Multiple forms of housing assistance to ensure tenants and landlords are financially secure.

While these programs are not designed to address debt directly, they provide financial support while you manage your household debts.

Check your court case status in Illinois

In Illinois, the court system includes Circuit Courts, Courts of Appeals, and a Supreme Court. Do you need to check the status of a court case in Illinois? You have two options: checking the court case status in person, or online.

Check the court case status in person

To access court records in person, you’ll need to visit the courthouse directly and submit a written request to the county clerk. To do this, you’ll need at least one of the following pieces of information:

• Case number
• Party names
• Court the case was filed
• Filing date

You can find the court location by using the Illinois courts directory page. If you don’t know your case number, you can also request this in person at the courthouse that will hear your case.

Check the court case status online

You can also check the status of your court case using Illinois’ online tool called re: SearchIL. You’ll need to use information that includes:

• Court location
• Case category
• Case type
• Case filed date
• Attorney's name

To use the platform, sign up for a free account, after which you can access publicly available court information. If you can’t find your court records online, it may be that your case is too new to appear in the database. You can also get help by contacting the clerk’s office for the county court.

File an Answer in your local Illinois court

If you don't feel comfortable sending your court documents over e-file, you can always visit your courthouse and file in person. Use this Illinois Courts Directory tool to find the address of your courthouse. You can also use this list of Illinois court clerks if you want to call and ask any questions about filing.

Knowing where your courthouse is located can help you be better prepared for your trial and stay updated on your case status.

Alternatively, SoloSuit can help you draft and file an Answer in your local Illinois court. Find your court in the list below to get started.

• In the Circuit Court for the 1st Judicial District, Alexander County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit, Boone County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of the 13th Judicial Circuit, Bureau County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of the 8th Judicial Circuit, Cass County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of the 6th Judicial Circuit, Champaign County, Illinois
• State of Illinois in the Circuit Court of Clark County
• In the Circuit Court for the 4th Judicial District, Clinton County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of the 2nd Municipal District, Cook County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of the 3rd Municipal District, Cook County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of the 4th Municipal District, Cook County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of the 5th Municipal District, Cook County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Sixth Municipal District, Civil Division
• In the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, First Municipal District, Civil Division
• In the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of the 18th Judicial District, Du Page County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of the 5th Judicial Circuit, Edgar County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of the 2nd Judicial District, Gallatin County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of the 2nd Judicial Circuit, Franklin County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of Grundy County, Illinois, The 13th Judicial Circuit
• In the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, Kane County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of the Twenty First Judicial Circuit, Kankakee County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court for the Twenty Third Judicial Circuit, Kendall County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of Knox County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, Lake County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of Lasalle County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of Logan County, Illinois
• In the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Macon County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court for the Third Judicial Circuit, Madison County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of Menard County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of the 11th Judicial Circuit, McLean County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of the 22nd Judicial Districts, McHenry County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of Morgan County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of Morgan County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of the 24th Circuit, Monroe County, Illinois
• The Circuit Court of Peoria County, Illinois
• In the Second Judicial Circuit Court, Richland County, State of Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of Rock Island County, Illinois, The 14th Judicial Circuit
• In the Circuit Court of Sangamon County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of St. Clair County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit, Stephenson County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of the 10th Judicial Circuit, Tazewell County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of the First Judicial Circuit, Williamson County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of Vermilion County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of Warren County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of Winnebago County, Illinois
• In the Circuit Court of the 24th Judicial Circuit, Perry County, Illinois

How to spot a fake Summons from a debt collector

Sending a fake Summons is against the law, but that doesn't always stop debt collectors from doing so. Here are some ways you can spot a fake Summons from a debt collector, and how to confirm if your debt collection lawsuit is real or not:

• Disability accommodations: The Summons should outline all provisions that will be available within the courtroom to accommodate disabled people. This might include a translator, someone who is a lingual expert, or accommodations for those with a visual or auditory disability.
• Venue: There should be a box on the Summons explaining the “venue” (location) of the court date. This will include the city and state, and any other important information. It would also include the location of the alleged incident. If it is a debt lawsuit, it may simply mention your city and state.
• Deadline for response: When you receive a legitimate court Summons, you will also be given a deadline for when you need to respond. This deadline is specific to the issued complaint that comes along with the Summons. It will also explain how to contest the charge and the penalty if you do not respond in a timely manner.
• Signature line: A real Summons will contain a signature line at the end of the document where the court clerk signs to verify that the documents were officially filed with the court. If the signature on the Summons does not match the name of the court clerk as listed on the courthouse website, it may be a fake.
• Call the court clerk: If you suspect that you've been served a fake Summons, try calling the court clerk to verify that the case is legitimate. You can give the clerk the case information, including the party names and case number, and if they don't find it in the court records, there is a chance that no such case exists.

Learn more about fake Summons from debt collectors here.

Key Takeaways

There you are: the basic tools to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in the State of Illinois. Remember, you do not need to give away your power when being sued by a debt collector. If you take just a little time to respond to the lawsuit, you may find that the debt collector will fold. Then, you no longer have to worry about the debt. Yet, even if the debt collector follows through, you are in a better position by responding to the lawsuit than if you automatically lose the suit by not responding.

So, five key takeaways for responding to a debt collection suit in Illinois are:

1. You have 30 days to respond to a debt collection lawsuit with an Answer document in Illinois.
2. You must file an Appearance form with your Answer document. The Appearance filing fee ranges from $109-$251, depending on the court.
3. SoloSuit can help you draft and file an Answer where you respond to each claim from the Complaint and assert your affirmative defenses.
4. The statute of limitations on credit card debt is ten years in Illinois.
5. Illinois has several legal aid organizations that can help you, and you can call the court clerk if you have any basic questions about your case.

Good luck!

How to Answer a Summons for debt collection in all 50 states

Here's a list of guides on how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in each state:

The Ultimate 50 State Guide

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont; Vermont (Small Claims court)
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Guides on how to resolve debt with every debt collector

Are you being sued by a debt collector? We’re making guides on how to resolve debt with each one.

• 11 Charter Communications
• AAA Collections
• Aargon Agency Inc
• Absolute Resolutions Investments LLC
• ACEI Collections
• Account Services
• Accredited Collection Services
• Accredited Collection Services
• Advanced Recovery Systems
• AES NCT
• AFNI Collections
• Alco Capital Group LLC
• Aldous and Associates
• Alliance Collections
• Alliance One
• Alliant Capital Management
• Alpha Recovery Corp
• Alltran Financial
• Alltran Health
• Alorica Inc.
• Amcol Clmbia in Court
• American Coradius International
• American Profit Recovery
• American Recovery Service
• Americollect
• AmSher Collection Services
• Apelles LLC
• AR Resources
• ARC Collections
• ARM Solutions
• Arrow Financial Services
• ARS National Services
• ARSC Debt Collectors
• ARS National Services
• ARstrat
• AscensionPoint Recovery Services
• Asset Acceptance LLC
• Asset Recovery Solutions
• Associated Credit Services
• Atlantic Credit and Finance
• Atradius Collections
• Automated Collection Services, Inc.
• Autovest LLC
• Avante USA
• Avantus
• AWA Collections
• Balekian Hayes
• Bay Area Receivables
• BCA Financial Services
• BC Services
• Benuck and Rainey
• Berlin-Wheeler
• Bluebonnet Financial LLC
• Bonneville Collections
• Bull City Financial
• Bureaus Investment Group
• Cach LLC
• Caine and Weiner
• Capio Partners
• Capital Accounts
• Capital Collections
• Capital Management Services
• CardWorks
• Carmel Financial/New Coast Direct
• Cavalry SPV I LLC
• CBCInnovis
• CBCS Collections
• CBE Group
• CBV Collections
• CCB Credit Services
• CCS Collections
• CCS Offices
• Central Mediation Services
• Central Portfolio Control
• Cerastes LLC
• Choice Recovery
• Choice Recovery Inc
• CKS Financial
• CKMS Financial
• Client Services
• CMRE Financial Services
• COAF
• Coast Professional
• Comenity Bank Debt Collection
• Commonwealth Financial
• ConServe Debt Collection
• Consumer Collection Management
• Contract Callers Inc
• Convergent Healthcare Recoveries
• Convergent Outsourcing
• Couch Conville & Blitt
• Covington Credit
• CRDT First
• Credco in Court
• Credence Resource Management
• Credit Bureau Systems
• Credit Control Corporation
• Credit Management Company
• Credit Management LP
• Credit Systems
• Credit Systems
• CSIEZPay
• CTC Debt Collector
• CVCS Debt Collection
• Cypress Financial Recoveries
• D&A Services
• Daniels, Norelli, Cecere & Tavel P.C.
• DCM Services
• Debt Recovery Solutions
• Delanor Kemper & Associates
• Department Stores National Bank
• Direct Recovery Associates
• Discover Collections
• Diversified Adjustment
• Diversified Consultants
• Diversified Recovery Bureau
• DNF Associates, LLC
• Dodeka LLC
• DRS Credit
• Dynamic Collectors
• Eagle Loan
• Eagle Accounts Group, Inc.
• Eastern Account System
• EduCap
• Ellington and Associates Collections
• Encore Capital Group
• Enerson Law
• Enerson Law LLC
• Enhanced Recovery Company
• EOS CCA
• ERC Collections
• ERSolutions
• Estate Information Services
• Equable Ascent Financial
• Everest Business Funding
• Executive Credit Management
• Faber and Brand
• Factual Data
• Falls Collection Service
• FBCS
• FCO Collections and Outsourcing
• FIA Card Services
• fin rec svc (Financial Recovery Services)
• First Federal Credit Credit Control
• First Financial Bank
• First Portfolio Ventures LLC
• First Progress
• FirstPoint Collection Resources
• Firstsource Advantage
• FMA Alliance
• FNB Omaha
• Forster & Garbus
• Franklin Collection Services
• Freedom Plus
• Freshview Solutions
• Frontline Asset
• Frost Arnett
• Fulton Friedman & Gullace LLP
• Galaxy International Purchasing, LLC
• GC Debt Collection
• GC Services
• General Revenue Corporation
• GLA Collections
• Glass Mountain Capital
• Glasser and Glasser
• Global Credit Collection Corp
• Global Trust Management
• GMAC Financing
• Golden 1 Credit Union
• Grant and Weber
• Grant Mercantile Agency
• Gulf Coast Collection Bureau
• Gurstel
• Halsted Financial Services
• Harris and Harris
• Harvard Collection
• Harvest Credit Management
• Helvey and Associates
• Hollis Cobb
• Holloway Moxley
• Hosto Buchan
• Howard Lee Schiff
• H&R Accounts
• HRRG
• Hudson & Keyse LLC?
• Hunter Warfield
• IC System
• Impact Receivables Management
• Innovative Recovery
• Integras Capital Recovery LLC
• Javitch Block
• JHPDE Finance 1 LLC
• JP Receivables Management Partners
• JPMCB card
• Kenneth Eisen and Associates
• KeyBank student loans
• Kinum
• Kirschenbaum, Phillips & Levy P.C.
• KLS Financial Services
• Kramer & Frank
• Lakeside Collection
• Lending Club
• Lincoln and Morgan Kabbage
• Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson LLP
• Lockhart Collection Agency
• LJ Ross Associates
• LTD Collections
• Malcolm S. Gerald and Associates
• Malen & Associates
• Mandarich Law Group
• Mannbracken
• Marcam Associates
• MARS Inc. Collections
• MBA Law
• MCA Management Company
• McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff
• Meade & Associates
• Medicredit
• Mercantile Adjustment Bureau
• Merchants Credit Association
• MGM Collections
• Michael J Adams PC
• Midland Funding LLC
• Mid-South Adjustment
• Monarch Recovery
• Monterey Financial
• Moss Law Firm
• Mountain Land Collections
• MRS Associates
• MRS BPO
• MSW Capital LLC
• Mullooly, Jeffrey, Rooney & Flynn
• Nathan and Nathan PC
• National Collegiate Trust
• National Credit Adjusters
• National Credit Care
• National Credit Systems
• National Enterprise Systems
• National Recovery Agency
• National Recovery Solutions
• Nationstar
• Nationwide Credit
• Nationwide Recovery Services
• Nationwide Recovery Systems
• NCEP LLC
• NCO Financial Systems Incorporated
• North American Recovery
• Northland Group
• Northstar Capital Acquisition
• Northstar Location Services
• NPAS
• NRC Collection Agency
• Oliver Adjustment Company
• Oliphant Financial, LLC
• Oportun
• P&B Capital Group
• PCB Collections Agency
• Palisades Collection LLC
• Pallida LLC
• Paragon Contracting Services
• Paragon Revenue Group
• Payday Loan Debt Collectors
• Pendrick Capital Partners
• Penn Credit
• Perdue Brandon
• Persolve LLC
• Phillips & Cohen Associates
• Phoenix Financial Services
• Pioneer Credit Recovery
• PMAB LLC
• PRA Group, Inc.
• Pressler, Felt & Warshaw LLP
• Prestige Services, Inc.
• Prince Parker and Associates
• ProCollect
• Professional Finance Company
• Progressive Management Systems
• Provest Law
• PYOD LLC
• Quaternary Collection Agency
• RAB Collection Agency
• Rash Curtis and Associates
• Radius Global SOL
• Radius Global Solutions
• Rawlings Company
• Razor Capital
• Real Time Resolutions
• Receivables Performance Management
• Regents and Associates
• Reliant Capital Solutions
• RentGrow
• Resurgent
• Resurgent Capital Services and LVNV Funding
• Revco Solutions
• Revenue Enterprises LLC
• Revenue Group
• RGS Financial, Inc.
• RMP LLC in Court
• RMP Services
• RS Clark and Associates
• RSIEH
• RSIEH
• RTR Financial Services
• Rubin & Rothman
• Salander Enterprises LLC
• Samara Portfolio Management
• SCA Collections
• Scott Parnell and Associates
• Second Round Collections
• Second Round Sub LLC
• Selip & Stylianou LLP
• Sequium Asset Solutions
• Sessoms and Rogers
• Sherman Acquisition
• Sherman Financial Group
• SIMM Associates
• Source Receivables Management
• Southern Management Systems
• Southwest Credit Group
• Spire Recovery Solutions
• SRS Company
• Stark Collection Agency
• State Collection Service
• Stenger and Stenger
• Stillman Law Office
• Summit Account Resolution
• Sunrise Credit Services
• Superlative RM Debt Collector
• Suttell and Hammer
• Synergetic Communication
• Synerprise Consulting
• The Law Office of Michael J Scott
• Trellis Company
• Troy Capital
• TRS Recovery Services
• TrueAccord
• Tulsa Teachers Credit Union
• UCB Collection
• UHG 1, LLC
• Unifin
• Unifin Debt Collector
• Unifund
• Universal Credit Services
• US Bank Collections
• USAA collections
• USCB America
• Valentine and Kebartas
• Valley Servicing
• Vance & Huffman LLC
• Van Ru Credit Corporation
• Velo Law Office
• Velocity Investments
• Viking Client Services
• Wakefield and Associates
• Waypoint Resource Group
• WCTCB
• Weinberg and Associates
• Weltman, Weinberg & Reis
• Westwood Funding
• Williams and Fudge
• Wilshire Consumer Credit
• Wolpoff & Abramson
• Worldwide Asset Purchasing
• www.AutomotiveCredit.com
• Zarzaur & Schwartz
• Zwicker & Associates

Resolve your debt with your creditor

Some creditors, banks, and lenders have an internal collections department. If they come after you for a debt, Solosuit can still help you respond and resolve the debt. Here’s a list of guides on how to resolve debt with different creditors.

• American Express; American Express – Debt Collection
• Bank of America
• Barclay
• Best Buy Credit Card
• Capital One
• Chase
• Credit One Bank
• Old Navy Credit Card
• PayPal Synchrony Card
• Regional Finance
• Retailers National Bank
• Reunion Student Loan Finance Corporation
• SYNCB/PPEXTR
• Synchrony Bank
• Synchrony Walmart Card
• Target National Bank
• Webbank
• Wells Fargo
• Can I Pay My Original Creditor Instead of a Debt Collection Agency?
• Can I Settle a Debt with the Original Creditor?

Settle your medical debt

Having a health challenge is stressful, but dealing medical debt on top of it is overwhelming. Here are some resources on how to manage medical debt.

• Am I Responsible for My Spouse's Medical Debt?
• Do I Need a Lawyer for Medical Bills?
• Do I Need a Lawyer to Fight Medical Bill Debt?
• Does Bankruptcy Clear Medical Debt?
• How Much Do Collection Agencies Pay for Medical Debt?
• How to Find Medical Debt Forgiveness Programs
• Is There a Statute of Limitations on Medical Bills?
• Medical Debt Statute of Limitations by State
• Summoned to Court for Medical Bills — What Do I Do?
• Summoned to Court for Medical Bills? What to Do Next

Guides on arbitration

If the thought of going to court stresses you out, you’re not alone. Many Americans who are sued for credit card debt utilize a Motion to Compel Arbitration to push their case out of court and into arbitration.

Below are some resources on how to use an arbitration clause to your advantage and win a debt lawsuit.

• How Arbitration Works
• How to Find an Arbitration Clause in Your Credit Agreement
• How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration
• How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration in Florida
• How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration Without an Attorney
• How Credit Card Arbitration Works
• Motion to Compel Arbitration in California
• Sample Motion to Compel Arbitration

Stop calls from debt collectors

Do you keep getting calls from an unknown number, only to realize that it’s a debt collector on the other line? If you’ve been called by any of the following numbers, chances are you have collectors coming after you, and we’ll tell you how to stop them.

• 1-800-390-7584
• 800-289-8004
• 800-955-6600
• 8009556600
• 877-366-0169
• 877-591-0747
• 800-278-2420
• 800-604-0064
• 800-846-6406
• 877-317-0948
• 888-899-4332
• 888-912-7925
• 202-367-9070
• 502-267-7522

Federal debt collection laws can protect you

Knowing your rights makes it easier to stand up for your rights. Below, we’ve compiled all our articles on federal debt collection laws that protect you from unfair practices.

• 15 USC 1692 Explained
• Does the Fair Credit Reporting Act Work in Florida?
• FDCPA Violations List
• How to File an FDCPA Complaint Against Your Debt Collector (Ultimate Guide)
• How to Make a Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Demand Letter
• How to Submit a Transunion Dispute
• How to Submit an Equifax Dispute
• How to Submit an Experian Dispute
• What Debt Collectors Cannot Do — FDCPA Explained
• What Does Account Information Disputed by Consumer Meets FCRA Requirements Mean?
• What does “meets FCRA requirements” mean?
• What does FCRA stand for?
• What is the Consumer Credit Protection Act