X
GO

Small Claims (SC)

A small claim is any civil action seeking not more than the amount defined by the Illinois Supreme Court pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 281 (exclusive of interests and costs) based on either contract, tort or for the collection of taxes.

This case type includes the following:

  • Contract damages $10,000.00 or less 
  • Tax collection $10,000.00 or less 
  • Tort damages $10,000.00 or less

     

Small Claims FAQs

When asking for a judgment of $10,000.00 or less. The Small Claims Court can order a judgment only for money. It cannot require a person or business to perform a service or stop a certain action or to return property.

You will need a Complaint and Summons and you must pay the filing fee. Please have the original and three copies of the Complaint and Summons when you file your case. If you are suing more than one person, you will need an extra complaint and summons. You may obtain the Complaint and Summons from our website or in person at our office.

There are three ways you can attempt service: 

  1. Certified mail through the Clerk of the Circuit Court, 
  2. Will County Sheriff or 
  3. A private process server.

If your server does not have a license, they must be appointed. The Motion and Order to Appoint a Process Server may be obtained from our website or in person at our office. If your server has a license, they do not need to be appointed.

Your court date (or “return date”) can be 14-40 days after you file your case.

You can check the case activity through our web site or call the Circuit Clerk’s Office at (815) 727-8592 to find out if the defendant was served. Please have your case number available when you call. If the sheriff has served the summons for you, they will also be able to provide you with the service information. Their phone number is (815) 727-8895

If the defendant is not served with the first summons, another summons must be issued. This is called an alias summons. The fee for an alias summons is $5.00.

Payment should be made to the Petitioner’s attorney or Petitioner if he/she has no attorney.

The Circuit Clerk’s Office does not report any judgments to credit bureaus. We cannot control whether your case is reported by an outside agency (such as a collection agency) or a party to the case.

You need to obtain a Satisfaction of Judgment from the Plaintiff or their counsel. Once you have this form, you can send it to the credit bureaus or county Recorder if you desire.
Filing Fees

Claim

Filing Fee
$.01 - $2,500 $139.00
$2,500.01 - $10,000 $314.00

About the Clerk's Office
It is the mission of the Circuit Clerk's Office to serve the citizens of Will County and the participants of the judiciary system in a timely and cost-effective manner, providing all court records, information and services with courtesy, efficiency and impartiality.
Public Notice

The 12th Judicial Circuit prohibits all weapons and outside food and drink from courthouses.  Cell phones and smart devices are allowed, but video and/or audio recording in the courthouse without preauthorization from the Chief Judge's Office is prohibited. 

Firearms are not permitted in any Circuit Court building pursuant to 430 ILCS 66/65(a)(4).
Contact

To Contact:
Office of the Circuit Clerk
Will County Court House
100 W. Jefferson Street
Joliet, IL 60432
Ph: (815) 727-8592
TTY: 800-526-0844 Illinois TTY users
711 all other TTY users
Dial from a TTY communication device

Email Us
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
Copyright 2024 by Will County Illinois. All rights reserved. | Privacy Statement | Terms Of Use