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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 between 40 and 61 days after you file your case pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 281.

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

Jesse Goehl
/ Categories: News

Clerk's Office Launches Tax Intercept Program

Fines & Fees Owed the Court Will Be Recouped From Tax Returns

JOLIET – In an effort to collect the large amount of unpaid fines and fees owed the court, Circuit Clerk, Pam McGuire initiated a collection program in April 2007.  She stated,   “We were constantly looking for sources of revenue to lessen the burden on the taxpayers of Will County”.  With the support of Will County State’s Attorney James W. Glasgow and Will County Executive Larry Walsh, her office has collected $25,474,731.73 

 

“We now have rolled out phase two of this undertaking”, stated McGuire. “As another way to increase collections, our office has entered into an Agreement with the Illinois State Comptroller’s Office Local Debt Recovery Program which allows deductions from income tax refunds, state employees' paychecks and other state disbursements to pay for fines and fees due and owing to the county, local municipality and state government as ordered by the court.”

 

 “Beginning January 1, 2016 we began working with the Illinois Comptroller’s Office on an intercept program.  To date this program has resulted in $776,758.88 being collected on behalf of Will County, local municipalities and the State of Illinois.  I urge anyone who owes court fines or costs to pay them on time to avoid additional collections costs or having your funds intercepted by the State”, stated McGuire. 

 

To check for an outstanding balance or review court records public access terminals are available at three Circuit Clerk locations:  Will County Courthouse, 14 W. Jefferson St., 2nd Floor, Joliet; River Valley Juvenile Justice Center, 3210 W. McDonough Street, 2nd Floor, Joliet; or Will County Court Annex Building, 57 N. Ottawa Street, 2nd Floor, Joliet.  Case information can also be found on the Internet by visiting the circuit clerk’s web site at www.circuitclerkofwillcounty.com selecting the “Case Lookup” feature, searching by party name, case or ticket number.  If you have any additional questions, you can email or call the Circuit Clerk’s Office at 815-727-8592 or circuit_clerk@willcountyillinois.com.

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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
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