If the court in a proceeding under Section 12-666 finds that the foreign-country judgment is entitled to recognition under this Act then, to the extent that the foreign- country judgment grants or denies recovery of a sum of money, the foreign-country judgment is:
12-667.Effect of recognition of foreign-country judgment.
Article XII. Judgments - Enforcement · Part 6. Foreign Judgments and Foreign-Money Claims · Last amended 2012 · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceGives a recognized foreign-country money judgment the same conclusive effect between the parties as a full-faith-and-credit sister-state judgment, and makes it enforceable the same way as any Illinois judgment.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/12-667
(1) conclusive between the parties to the same extent as the judgment of a sister state entitled to full faith and credit in this State would be conclusive; and
(2) enforceable in the same manner and to the same extent as a judgment rendered in this State.
Plain-English Summary
Once a court finds, in a proceeding under Section 12-666, that a foreign-country judgment is entitled to recognition, this section spells out the payoff. To the extent the judgment grants or denies recovery of a sum of money, it becomes conclusive between the parties to the same extent a sister-state judgment entitled to full faith and credit would be, and enforceable in the same manner and to the same extent as a judgment rendered in Illinois.
The comparison to sister-state judgments describes the effect of recognition, not the path to it. Getting there followed the comity-based standard in Section 12-664, with its due-process checks and discretionary grounds for refusal; a sister-state judgment never has to clear that standard because the Constitution's Full Faith and Credit Clause requires enforcement directly. Once a foreign-country judgment clears Section 12-664's standard, though, this section puts it on equal footing with an Illinois judgment going forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens once an Illinois court recognizes a foreign-country judgment?
To the extent it grants or denies recovery of a sum of money, the judgment becomes conclusive between the parties and enforceable in the same way as an Illinois judgment.
Is a recognized foreign-country judgment as binding as a sister-state judgment?
For conclusive effect between the parties, yes, this section makes them equivalent once recognition is granted.
How is a recognized foreign-country judgment enforced in Illinois?
In the same manner and to the same extent as a judgment originally rendered in Illinois.
Does recognition under this section change how the foreign judgment was originally reached?
No. This section addresses only the effect of recognition; the standards for granting or denying recognition are set out in Section 12-664.
Can a recognized foreign-country judgment still be challenged afterward?
Only to the same extent an Illinois judgment could be challenged, since this section treats it as equivalent to one once recognized.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 97-140, eff. 1-1-12.)
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: effect of a recognized foreign country judgment Illinoisenforcing a recognized foreign judgment Illinoisconclusive effect foreign judgment recognitionrecognized foreign judgment same as Illinois judgment