Citation to Discover Assets in Illinois

You lost a small claims case — or a default judgment was entered against you — and now the plaintiff has filed a Citation to Discover Assets. This is the most common post-judgment tool in Illinois, and it's often the first sign that the plaintiff is serious about collecting. Understanding what it is (and what it isn't) matters, because ignoring it carries real consequences.

What a Citation to Discover Assets Does

A Citation to Discover Assets under 735 ILCS 5/2-1402 is a court-ordered examination of your finances. The judgment creditor (the person who won the case) files it with the court, and you receive a notice commanding you to appear and disclose your income, bank accounts, real property, vehicles, and other assets.

It is not a lien, a garnishment, or a seizure. It's an information-gathering tool. The creditor is trying to find out what you own and where your money is so they can decide which collection method to pursue next — wage deduction, bank garnishment, or a turnover order.

What You Must Disclose

The citation requires sworn testimony about your financial situation. Expect questions about:

• Employment status and income (wages, self-employment, gig work)
• Bank and credit union accounts (names, institutions, approximate balances)
• Real property you own (homes, land, rental property)
• Vehicles and their approximate value
• Other assets of value (investments, business interests, equipment)
• Money owed to you by third parties

You answer under oath, either at a court hearing or through written interrogatories (a questionnaire the creditor sends). Some counties conduct citation examinations in person; others allow them by Zoom.

What Happens If You Don't Show Up

Failing to appear for a citation hearing is contempt of court. The judge can issue a body attachment order — essentially a civil arrest warrant — compelling you to appear. Unlike criminal contempt, this isn't about punishment; it's about forcing compliance. But the practical effect is the same: law enforcement can detain you until you appear before the judge.

Protections You Have

Not everything you own is reachable. Illinois exempts certain assets from collection under 735 ILCS 5/12-901, 12-1001, and related statutes:

• A homestead exemption protects up to $50,000 of an individual's interest in a primary residence; if two or more individuals own it, each owner's exemption is limited to their proportionate share of a combined $100,000
• Social Security, SSI, public assistance, unemployment, and workers' compensation benefits are exempt
• Up to $4,000 in personal property (clothing, household items, tools of trade)
• 85% of gross wages is exempt from wage deduction (only 15% can be garnished, and less if your income is near the poverty line)

These exemptions are affirmative — you must raise them. The creditor won't volunteer that your bank account is protected.

Payment Plans and Settlements

A citation hearing is often where payment negotiations happen in practice. If you can't pay the full judgment, propose an installment plan at the hearing. Judges regularly approve reasonable payment plans, especially when the alternative is a drawn-out collection fight that costs both sides money.

If you've already been contacted about a citation and want to understand the process from the beginning — service of the summons, the response options, and the post-judgment landscape — the Illinois Small Claims Response Guide covers the full timeline from being served through post-judgment collection proceedings.

See more Illinois guides →