Judgment against a garnishee shall be enforceable as in other civil cases and shall discharge the garnishee of all claims by the judgment debtor for the indebtedness or other property paid, delivered or accounted for by the garnishee by virtue of the judgment in garnishment. The discharge of a garnishee is no bar to an action by the judgment debtor for the same claim.
12-712.Effect of judgment - Discharge no bar.
Article XII. Judgments - Enforcement · Part 7. Garnishment · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceA garnishment judgment is enforced like any other civil judgment and discharges the garnishee from the debtor's claims to whatever was paid or delivered, though that discharge does not bar the debtor from suing on the same claim.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/12-712
Plain-English Summary
Section 12-712 defines what a garnishment judgment accomplishes once it is entered. The judgment against the garnishee is enforceable the same way as any other civil judgment, and paying, delivering, or accounting for the indebtedness or property under that judgment discharges the garnishee from any claim the judgment debtor might otherwise bring for that same indebtedness or property.
The section then draws a careful line: the garnishee's discharge is not a bar to an action by the judgment debtor for the same claim. In other words, the garnishment judgment protects the garnishee from double liability for what it paid or delivered under the court's order, without shutting the door on whatever claim the judgment debtor might otherwise have.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a judgment against a garnishee enforced?
The same way as any other civil judgment.
What does a garnishment judgment discharge the garnishee from?
All claims by the judgment debtor for the indebtedness or property the garnishee paid, delivered, or accounted for under the garnishment judgment.
Does discharging the garnishee bar the judgment debtor from suing on the same claim?
No. Section 12-712 states that the discharge of a garnishee is no bar to an action by the judgment debtor for the same claim.
Does the garnishee remain exposed to a second claim after paying under the garnishment judgment?
Section 12-712 discharges the garnishee for what it paid, delivered, or accounted for under the judgment, while leaving the debtor's ability to pursue the same claim otherwise unaffected.
Does Section 12-712 apply only to money judgments against a garnishee?
The section refers broadly to judgment against a garnishee and the indebtedness or other property paid, delivered, or accounted for under it.
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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