Illinois · Legal help by topic · Updated Oct 2026

Legal help in Illinois: get back what you're owed

Eight free guides for Illinois, in one place: the key facts and deadlines from each, and a direct link to the full guide. Start with the problem you have.

Small Claims Map

Small claims court in Illinois

If someone owes you money and won't pay, you can sue without a lawyer.

Most you can sue for
$10,000
Court
small claims court
Filing fee
$94–$379
Lawyers
Optional

Facts from Small Claims Map. About this topic

Tenant Rights Map

Renters' rights in Illinois

If you rent, state law sets how fast a deposit comes back, what the landlord must repair and the notice before an eviction case.

Deadline to return a deposit
45 days
Security deposit limit
No statewide limit
Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent
5 days
Notice before the landlord enters
No statute

Cities with their own rules: Chicago

Facts from Tenant Rights Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Wage Claim Map

Unpaid wages in Illinois

If your employer didn't pay you, a state office may collect it for free.

File a wage claim with
Illinois Department of Labor
Minimum wage (2026)
$15.00
Final paycheck if fired
See the rules
Deadline to file a wage claim
1 year

Facts from Wage Claim Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Lemon Car Map

Lemon law in Illinois

If a new car keeps going back to the shop for the same defect, the maker may owe you a refund or a replacement.

Lemon law period
12 mo / 12,000 mi
What makes it a lemon
4 repairs · 30 business days
Covers used cars
No
Before you sue
If maker has a program

Facts from Lemon Car Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Tax Appeal Map

Property tax appeals in Illinois

If your home's assessed value is too high, you can appeal it, but only within a short window.

Deadline to appeal
30 days after publication
Where you appeal first
County Board of Review (Cook County: Assessor, then Board of Review)
Median effective tax rate
2.01%
Median yearly tax on a home
$5,298

VariesOpen now in some townships. Each township has its own window; for example, Cook County's Proviso Township closes October 27, 2026. Check your township's dates. (as of October 21, 2026)

Facts from Tax Appeal Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Exemption Map

Property tax exemptions in Illinois

If you own and live in your home, you may qualify for breaks that lower your property tax. You usually have to apply.

Homestead exemption
$6,000
Homestead deadline
See the guide
Senior break
Yes
Disabled veterans
See the rules

Facts from Exemption Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Owed Map

Unclaimed money in Illinois

Old bank accounts, deposits, refunds and checks end up with the state. Searching and claiming is free.

Official search
ICash (Illinois Unclaimed Property)
Held by the state
Over $5 billion (2026)
Cost to search and claim
Free
On MissingMoney.com
Yes

Facts from Owed Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Divorce Law Map

Divorce in Illinois

Before you can file, one of you usually must have lived in the state for a set time, and many states make you wait before the divorce is final.

Residency before you can file
90 days
Waiting period
No set waiting period
Filing fee
Check with your court

Facts from Divorce Law Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Deadlines at a glance in Illinois

Short forms of each guide's rule. Every deadline has details (when the clock starts, exceptions, how to count days): read the full rule in the guide before you rely on it. “See the guide” means our data has no short form for it.

Deadlines at a glance in Illinois
TopicDeadline or time limitRuleGuide
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: written contract10 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: verbal agreement5 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: property damage5 yearsSmall Claims Map
Renters' rightsDeadline to return a deposit45 daysTenant Rights Map
Renters' rightsNotice before an eviction case for unpaid rent5 daysTenant Rights Map
Unpaid wagesDeadline to file a wage claim1 yearWage Claim Map
Unpaid wagesFinal paycheck if firedSee the rulesWage Claim Map
Lemon lawLemon law period12 mo / 12,000 miLemon Car Map
Lemon lawDeadlineA lawsuit under the Act must be filed within 18 months after the vehicle was first delivered to you (815 ILCS 380/6), extended by the number of days your claim was pending in the manufacturer's dispute program (815 ILCS 380/4(b)).Lemon Car Map
Property tax appealsDeadline to appeal30 days after publicationTax Appeal Map
Property tax exemptionsHomestead deadlineSee the guideExemption Map
Unclaimed moneyDeadline to claimSee the guideOwed Map
DivorceResidency before you can file90 daysDivorce Law Map
DivorceWaiting periodNo set waiting periodDivorce Law Map

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Links checked Oct 2026. Sources are listed in how we research.

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