(a) Replies. Replies to answers shall be filed within 21 days after the last day allowed for the filing of the answer. Any subsequent pleadings allowed or ordered shall be filed at such time as the court may order.
Rule 182.Time for Pleadings and Motions Other Than Those Directed to Complaint
Article II. Rules on Civil Proceedings in the Trial Court · Part C. Appearances and Times for Answers, Replies, and Motions · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceRule 182 sets the standard 21-day deadlines for filing a reply, an answer to a counterclaim, or a motion attacking a pleading other than the complaint.
Full Text of Ill. S. Ct. R. 182
(b) Responding to Counterclaims. Answers to and motions directed against counterclaims shall be filed by parties already before the court within 21 days after the last day allowed for the filing of the counterclaim.
(c) Motions. A motion attacking a pleading other than the complaint must be filed within 21 days after the last day allowed for the filing of the pleading attacked.
Plain-English Summary
Once the pleadings move past the initial complaint and answer, Rule 182 keeps the schedule moving on a consistent clock. A reply to an answer is due within 21 days after the last day allowed for filing that answer, and any pleading the court orders after that follows whatever timeline the judge sets.
Parties already in the case who need to respond to a counterclaim get the same 21 days, measured from the last day allowed for filing the counterclaim. And a motion attacking any pleading other than the complaint itself, say, a motion to dismiss a counterclaim or strike a reply, must be filed within 21 days after the deadline for the pleading it attacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a reply to an answer in Illinois?
21 days after the last day allowed for filing that answer.
If a party already in the case gets hit with a counterclaim, how long do they have to respond?
21 days after the last day allowed for filing the counterclaim.
How much time do I have to file a motion attacking a reply or another non-complaint pleading?
21 days after the last day allowed for filing the pleading being attacked.
Does Rule 182 cover the deadline for answering the original complaint?
No, that deadline is set by the summons and Rule 181; Rule 182 covers replies, answers to counterclaims, and motions directed at pleadings other than the complaint.
Can the court set a different deadline than the 21 days in Rule 182?
Yes, for pleadings the court specifically allows or orders, the rule lets the judge set the filing time instead of defaulting to 21 days.
Committee Comments
This rule consists of paragraphs (3) and (4) of former Rule 8 divided into three paragraphs. Twenty days is changed to 21 days.
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
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