The notice required in the preceding section may be given at any time after the commencement of the action, and shall be published at least once in each week for 3 successive weeks. No default or proceeding shall be taken against any defendant not served with summons, or a copy of the complaint, and not appearing, unless the first publication be at least 30 days prior to the time when the default or other proceeding is sought to be taken.
2-207.Period of Publication - Default.
Article II. Civil Practice · Part 2. Process · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceRequires that published notice under the preceding section run at least once a week for three straight weeks and bars any default or other proceeding against an unserved, non-appearing defendant unless the first publication happened at least 30 days before the default is sought.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/2-207
Plain-English Summary
This section sets the timing rules for the publication notice described in the preceding section. It can be given at any time after the action commences, but it must be published at least once in each week for three successive weeks.
It also protects a defendant who has not been served with summons or a copy of the complaint and has not appeared. No default or other proceeding may be taken against that defendant unless the first publication occurred at least 30 days before the default or other proceeding is sought.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can publication notice be given?
At any time after the action commences.
How many times must the notice be published, and over what span?
At least once in each week for three successive weeks.
How soon after the first publication can a default be entered?
Not until the first publication has run at least 30 days before the default or other proceeding is sought.
Does this waiting period apply to a defendant who was served with summons or a copy of the complaint?
No. The section addresses defaults against a defendant "not served with summons, or a copy of the complaint, and not appearing," meaning someone served only by publication.
What section does this one build on?
It refers to "the preceding section," meaning Section 2-206's publication-service procedure.
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
Also known as: how long must publication notice run Illinoisdefault judgment after publication service30 day wait for publication serviceweekly newspaper notice requirement Illinois