Where any defendant in any action, or plaintiff in replevin, pleads several matters, and any of such matters, upon a motion directed to the complaint, answer or reply, is adjudged insufficient, or if judgment is entered, in any issues of the cause, for the plaintiff, costs shall be awarded at the discretion of the court.
5-111.Pleading several matters.
Article V. Costs · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceGives the court discretion to award costs when a defendant, or a plaintiff in a replevin action, pleads several matters and one is found insufficient on motion, or when judgment on any issue in the case goes for the plaintiff.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/5-111
Plain-English Summary
This section covers a party who pleads more than one matter in a case. It applies to any defendant in any action, and also to a plaintiff in a replevin action, when that party pleads several matters.
Two situations can call for a cost award here: one of the pleaded matters is adjudged insufficient on a motion directed to the complaint, answer, or reply, or judgment is entered on any issue in the case for the plaintiff. In either case, the court decides whether to award costs, and how much, at its own discretion.
Unlike the more automatic cost rules earlier in this Article, this section doesn't hand costs to a party as a matter of right. It leaves that call to the court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does this section apply to besides an ordinary defendant?
A plaintiff in a replevin action who pleads several matters.
What can trigger a discretionary cost award under this section?
One of several pleaded matters being adjudged insufficient on a motion directed to the complaint, answer, or reply, or judgment on any issue being entered for the plaintiff.
Is the court required to award costs in these circumstances?
No. The section leaves the award "at the discretion of the court."
Does this section apply outside replevin actions?
Yes. Its main clause covers any defendant in any action, with a plaintiff in replevin called out separately.
How does this section differ from the more automatic cost rules elsewhere in this Article?
It addresses the specific situation of several pleaded matters and leaves the cost award to the court's discretion, rather than granting costs to the winning side automatically.
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: several matters pleaded costs illinoisreplevin costs illinoisdiscretionary costs illinois civil case