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Illinois small claims demand letter
In Illinois, Supreme Court Rule 281 defines a small claim as a civil action based on tort or contract for money not in excess of $10,000, exclusive of interest and costs. The Supreme Court's small claims forms are for suing a person or business for $10,000 or less, and they are not for evictions or for orders that are not about money.
Court limits and filing rules change. Read the official page linked below. This summary is not a statement that your claim belongs in that court, and it is not legal advice.
Dollar limit
Not more than $10,000, exclusive of interest and costs.
Supreme Court Rule 281 says that for Rules 281 through 288, a small claim is a civil action based on either tort or contract for money not in excess of $10,000, exclusive of interest and costs. The committee comments say the $10,000 limit took effect January 1, 2006, for cases filed after that date, and that effective January 1, 2022, tax-collection cases are no longer filed as small claims. The standardized-form guide says the forms can be used only for civil cases seeking money damages of $10,000 or less, and not for criminal cases, evictions, foreclosures, family cases, injunctions, or cases asking for something other than money.
Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 281. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 281 (PDF). Last verified: 2026-11-10.
Where a case is filed
Circuit court, using the small claims forms when the case fits Rule 281.
The Supreme Court's getting-started sheet for the small claims complaint says the forms are filed to sue for $10,000 or less and points to Rules 281–289 and the court's approved forms. There is a filing fee, and a fee-waiver application is available if you cannot afford it. If the claim is based on a written agreement, the sheet says to attach a copy if you have it.
Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 281–289. Illinois Courts, Getting Started: Small Claims Complaint (PDF). Last verified: 2026-11-10.
Demand before filing
We did not verify a rule that a letter is required before every Illinois small claims filing.
Free sample with blanks
[Date] [Your name] [Your address] [Name of the person or business] [Their address] Re: Demand for $[amount] — [short description] Dear [Name], On [date], [describe the agreement, the goods or services, or the damage, using only what happened]. The amount I am asking for is $[amount]. Court limit checked for Illinois: Not more than $10,000, exclusive of interest and costs. (Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 281). This page has not verified a rule that a letter is required before every case. Sending one is still a common way to ask for payment and to keep a record. Please pay $[amount] within [14] days by [check or money order]. I can provide [receipts, photos, the contract, or messages]. Sincerely, [Your name] Sample note: the court figure above comes from Illinois Supreme Court Rule 281 (PDF), last verified 2026-11-10. Laws change. This sample is a formatting example, not legal advice.
Official and free resources
- Supreme Court Rule 281 (PDF) — Definition of a small claim, including the $10,000 limit.
- Getting started: small claims complaint (PDF) — Which cases the approved forms cover.
- Supreme Court rules index — Rule 281 is listed as amended September 29, 2021, effective January 1, 2022.
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