No personal property shall be exempt from levy of attachment or judgment if the debt or judgment is for the wages of any laborer or employee, providing the court entering judgment finds that the claim sued for is for wages due such person as laborer or employee, which finding shall be expressly stated in the judgment.
12-1004.Judgment for wages.
Article XII. Judgments - Enforcement · Part 10. Exemption of Personal Property · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceStrips the personal-property exemption when the underlying debt or judgment is for wages owed to a laborer or employee, as long as the judgment itself says so.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/12-1004
Plain-English Summary
This section carves an exception out of the personal-property exemptions for a specific kind of debt: wages owed to a laborer or employee. No personal property is exempt from levy of attachment or judgment when the claim sued for is wage debt.
The exception has a procedural condition attached. The court entering judgment must find that the claim is for wages due to the person as a laborer or employee, and that finding must be expressly stated in the judgment itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a wage debt reach personal property that would otherwise be exempt?
Yes, if the judgment is for wages owed to a laborer or employee.
What must the court do for this exception to apply?
Expressly find, and state in the judgment, that the claim sued for is for wages due to the person as a laborer or employee.
Does this exception apply to any debt an employer might owe?
No. It applies specifically to a claim for wages due a laborer or employee.
Does the exemption stay in place if the judgment doesn't mention wages?
The exception requires an express finding in the judgment, so property should remain exempt without one.
Which exemptions does this section override?
The personal-property exemptions otherwise available under this Part.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 83-1362.)
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Compiled Statutes, published by the
Illinois Compiled Statutes, Illinois General Assembly / Legislative Reference Bureau. Last verified July 20, 2026.
· Official source
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