(a) Statutory Duty. If a breach of statutory duty is alleged, the statute shall be cited in connection with the allegation.
Rule 133.Pleading Breach of Statutory Duty; Judgment or Order; Breach of Condition Precedent
Article II. Rules on Civil Proceedings in the Trial Court · Part B. Pleadings and Other Papers · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceRule 133 sets shortcuts for pleading a statutory-duty violation, a prior judgment, and the performance of a contract condition.
Full Text of Ill. S. Ct. R. 133
(b) Judgment or Order. In pleading a judgment or order of any State or Federal court or the decision of any State or Federal officer or board of special jurisdiction, it is sufficient to state the date of its entry, and describe its general nature and allege generally that the judgment or decision was duly given or made.
(c) Condition Precedent. In pleading the performance of a condition precedent in a contract, it is sufficient to allege generally that the party performed all the conditions on his part; if the allegation be denied, the facts must be alleged in connection with the denial showing wherein there was a failure to perform.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 133 gives pleaders three specific shortcuts. When alleging a breach of a duty created by statute, the pleading must cite the statute itself, so the other side and the court know exactly what legal duty is at issue.
When pleading a judgment or order from another court or an agency with special jurisdiction, it is enough to state when it was entered, describe its general nature, and allege generally that it was properly made, rather than reciting every procedural detail behind it.
And when pleading that a party performed a condition precedent under a contract, a general allegation of performance is enough at first. Only if the other side denies that allegation does the denying party have to spell out specific facts showing where performance fell short.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to cite the exact statute if I claim someone violated a statutory duty?
Yes. Rule 133(a) requires the statute to be cited in connection with that kind of allegation.
How much detail do I need when pleading that another court already entered a judgment in a related matter?
Not much. You can state the date it was entered, describe its general nature, and allege generally that it was properly made, without pleading every underlying detail.
What does "pleading a condition precedent" mean?
It means alleging that a party did everything required under a contract before the other side’s obligation kicked in, such as making a required payment or giving required notice.
Can I just say generally that I performed all the conditions of a contract?
Yes, a general allegation of performance is sufficient under Rule 133(c) unless the other side denies it.
What happens if the other side denies that I performed a condition precedent?
Then you need to plead the specific facts showing where the alleged failure to perform occurred, rather than relying on the general allegation.
Committee Comments
This is former Rule 13 without change of substance.
Source & verification. Rule text, official Committee Comments, and
amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Supreme Court Rules,
promulgated by the Supreme Court of Illinois. Last verified July 20, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: pleading breach of statutory dutypleading a prior judgmentcondition precedent pleadinggeneral allegation of performanceciting a statute in a complaint