When a cause of action has arisen in a state or territory out of this State, or in a foreign country, and, by the laws thereof, an action thereon cannot be maintained by reason of the lapse of time, an action thereon shall not be maintained in this State.
13-210.Foreign limitation.
Article XIII. Limitations · Part 2. Personal Actions · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceIllinois's borrowing statute bars a lawsuit here if the claim arose in another state, territory, or foreign country and the time to sue there has already run out.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/13-210
Plain-English Summary
This short section keeps a claim from getting a second life just because it's filed in Illinois. When a cause of action arises in a state or territory outside Illinois, or in a foreign country, and the law of that place would bar the action because too much time has passed, the action can't be maintained in Illinois either.
In effect, this ties an out-of-state claim to whichever limitations period runs out first: Illinois's own deadline or the deadline in the place where the claim arose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue in Illinois on a claim that's already time-barred in the state where it arose?
No. If the claim couldn't be maintained where it arose because of the lapse of time, it can't be maintained in Illinois either.
Does this rule apply to claims arising in a foreign country?
Yes. It applies to a cause of action arising in a state or territory outside Illinois or in a foreign country.
Does this section give a claim more time to be filed in Illinois?
No. It only operates as a bar; it doesn't extend the time to sue beyond what Illinois's own rules would otherwise allow.
What kind of statute is this called?
A borrowing statute — it borrows the shorter of Illinois's limitations period or the other jurisdiction's limitations period.
Does this section apply to claims that arose within Illinois?
No. It's limited to causes of action arising in another state, territory, or foreign country.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 83-707.)
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: illinois borrowing statutesuing in illinois on an out of state claimillinois statute of limitations foreign cause of actioncan i sue in illinois if barred in another state