Judgments between the same parties may be set off, one against another, if required by either party, as prescribed in the following Section.
12-176.Judgments between parties.
Article XII. Judgments - Enforcement · Part 1. In General · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceSection 12-176 establishes that judgments running between the same two parties may be set off against each other if either party requests it, with the mechanics of that set-off spelled out in Section 12-177.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/12-176
Plain-English Summary
This short section opens the set-off framework that Sections 12-177 and 12-178 complete. Where two parties hold judgments against each other, either party may require those judgments to be set off, one against the other.
The section doesn't describe how that set-off happens; it points ahead to the following section for the procedure. Section 12-178 then lists situations where set-off isn't allowed at all, even between judgments involving the same parties in a general sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can request a set-off between judgments under Section 12-176?
Either party to judgments running between the same parties.
Does set-off happen automatically once both judgments exist?
No, the section allows set-off if required by either party, not automatically.
Where are the mechanics of this set-off spelled out?
In Section 12-177, the following section.
Are there limits on when set-off is allowed?
Yes, Section 12-178 lists several excepted situations.
What kind of judgments does Section 12-176 address?
Judgments between the same parties, not judgments involving different debtors or creditors.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 82-280.)
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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