Article II. Rules on Civil Proceedings in the Trial Court · Part C. Appearances and Times for Answers, Replies, and Motions · Last amended 2020 · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceRule 181 sets how and when a defendant must appear and answer, depending on whether the summons requires appearance within 30 days of service or on a specified court date.
(a)When Summons Requires Appearance Within 30 Days After Service. When the
summons requires appearance within 30 days after service, exclusive of the day of service (see Rule 101(d)), the 30-day period shall be computed from the day the copy of the summons is left with the person designated by law and not from the day a copy is mailed, in case mailing is also required. The defendant may make his or her appearance by filing a motion within the 30-day period, in which instance an answer or another appropriate motion shall be filed within the time the court directs in the order disposing of the motion. If the defendant’s appearance is made in some other manner, nevertheless his or her answer or appropriate motion shall be filed on or before the last day on which he or she was required to appear.
(b)When Summons Requires Appearance on Specified Day. (1) Actions for Money. Unless the “Notice to Defendant” (see Rule 101(b)) provides
otherwise, an appearance in a civil action for money in which the summons requires appearance on a specified day may be made by appearing in person or by attorney at the time and place specified in the summons and making the appearance known to the court, or before the time specified for appearance by filing a written appearance, answer, or motion, in person or by attorney. When a defendant appears in open court, the court shall require him to enter an appearance in writing. When an appearance is made in writing otherwise than by filing an answer or motion, the defendant shall be allowed 10 days after the day for appearance within which to file an answer or motion, unless the court, by rule or order, otherwise directs.
(2)Eviction Actions. In actions for eviction (see Rule 101(b)), the defendant must appear at the time and place specified in the summons. If the defendant appears, he or she need not file an answer unless ordered by the court; and when no answer is ordered, the allegations of the complaint will be deemed denied, and any defense may be proved as if it were specifically pleaded.
(3)Small Claims. Appearances in small claims (actions for money not in excess of $10,000) are governed by Rule 286.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 181 fills in the mechanics behind the deadlines set on a summons. When a summons requires appearance within 30 days of service, that period runs from the day the summons was left with the person authorized to receive it, not from when a copy was mailed. A defendant can appear by filing a motion within that window, in which case the answer or another motion is due whenever the court orders after ruling on that motion; if the defendant appears some other way, the answer is still due by the original deadline.
Cases where the summons requires appearance on a specific day work differently. In ordinary money cases, a defendant appears in person, through an attorney, at the specified time and place, or files a written appearance, answer, or motion beforehand. Someone who appears in open court still has to file a written appearance, and a defendant who appears in writing without also filing an answer or motion gets 10 more days to do so, unless the court says otherwise.
Eviction cases follow a simpler track: a defendant who appears at the specified time and place does not need to file an answer unless the court orders one, and if no answer is ordered, the complaint’s allegations are treated as denied automatically, letting the defendant raise any defense as if it had been formally pleaded. Small claims cases follow their own separate rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 30-day period to appear start running after I am served?
From the day the summons is left with the person authorized to receive it, not from the date any required mailing occurs.
Can I appear in a case by filing a motion instead of an answer?
Yes, filing a motion within the required period counts as your appearance, and the court will set the deadline for your answer or another motion after ruling on it.
Do I still have to file an answer if I appear in eviction court in person?
Not unless the court orders you to. If no answer is ordered, the complaint’s allegations are treated as denied, and you can raise any defense as though it had been formally pleaded.
What happens if I appear in writing but do not file an answer or motion at the same time?
You generally get 10 more days after the appearance date to file an answer or motion, unless the court directs otherwise.
Do small claims cases follow this same appearance rule?
No, appearances in small claims cases (money claims not exceeding $10,000) are governed by a separate rule.
Committee Comments
This rule consists of paragraphs (1) and (2) of former Rule 8 without change of substance.
Amendment History
Amended October 21, 1969, effective January 1, 1970; amended December 3, 1996, effective January 1, 1997; amended February 10, 2006, effective immediately; amended Jan. 4, 2013, eff. immediately; amended Dec. 29, 2017, eff. Jan. 1, 2018; amended July 17, 2020, eff. immediately.
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:30 day answer deadline illinoisappearance and answer ruleeviction appearance requirementsfiling a motion instead of an answercomputing time to respond to summons