If no rejection of the award is filed, a judge of the circuit court may enter the award as the judgment of the court.
2-1005A.Judgment of the Court.
Article II. Civil Practice · Part 10A. Mandatory Arbitration System · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceLets a circuit judge enter an unrejected arbitration award as the court's own judgment, closing the case without a trial.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/2-1005A
Plain-English Summary
If no party files a timely rejection under Section 2-1004A, this section lets a circuit judge enter the arbitration award as the judgment of the court.
That step turns an arbitration outcome into an enforceable judgment, the same as one issued after trial, without a further hearing on the merits.
The entry is discretionary -- the statute says the judge may enter the award, not must -- though in practice an unrejected award is typically entered as judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if no one rejects an arbitration award?
A circuit judge may enter it as the judgment of the court.
Is entering the award automatic?
No. The statute makes it discretionary, using the word may rather than must.
Does an award entered as judgment carry the same weight as a trial verdict?
Yes. Once entered, it functions as a judgment of the court.
Can a party still object after judgment is entered on an unrejected award?
This section governs only the entry itself after no timely rejection; other rules and deadlines govern later challenges.
What triggers this section instead of a trial?
The absence of a timely rejection notice under Section 2-1004A.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 84-844.)
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: arbitration award as judgment illinoisunrejected arbitration award illinoisillinois circuit court judgment on arbitration award