This Act shall be applied and construed to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law with respect to the subject of this Act among states enacting it.
12-644.Uniformity of application and construction.
Article XII. Judgments - Enforcement · Part 6. Foreign Judgments and Foreign-Money Claims · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceDirects Illinois courts to interpret the Act with an eye toward keeping it consistent with how other states applying the same uniform law read it.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/12-644
Plain-English Summary
Uniform acts work only if the states adopting them interpret them the same way. This section instructs courts to apply and construe the Act to carry out its purpose of making the law uniform among the states that enact it.
That doesn't bind an Illinois court to follow another state's reading, but it does direct courts to weigh consistency with sister states' interpretations when the statutory text leaves room for more than one reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a state statute tell courts to consider other states' interpretations?
Because the Act is a uniform law, adopted with similar text in many states; consistent interpretation across those states serves the Act's purpose of predictability for cross-border transactions.
Is this section binding, or just a guide to interpretation?
It is an interpretive directive. It shapes how a court reads ambiguous provisions rather than dictating a specific outcome.
Does this section affect appellate review?
It can inform how a reviewing court analyzes a disputed provision, but it doesn't change the standard of review itself.
Do other states' cases interpreting the same uniform act carry weight in Illinois?
Yes, this section directs Illinois courts to give weight to the goal of uniformity, which can make other states' readings of the same text persuasive.
Does this section override Illinois precedent interpreting the same statutory text?
No. It supplements how Illinois courts approach interpretation; it doesn't discard existing Illinois case law on the Act.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 86-1291.)
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
Also known as: uniform act interpretation Illinoisuniformity clause foreign money claims acthow courts construe the foreign money claims actconsistency among states foreign currency law