small claim must appear at the time and place specified in the summons and the case shall be tried on the day set for appearance unless otherwise ordered. If the defendant appears, he need not file an answer unless ordered to do so by the court; and when no answer is ordered the allegations of the complaint will be considered denied and any defense may be proved as if it were specifically pleaded.
Rule 286.Appearance and Trial
Article II. Rules on Civil Proceedings in the Trial Court · Part J. Small Claims · Last amended 2023 · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceRule 286 requires a small-claims defendant to show up on the date set in the summons, treats an unanswered complaint as denied, and lets the court hold an informal hearing instead of a full trial.
Full Text of Ill. S. Ct. R. 286
(b) Informal Hearings in Small Claims Cases. In any small claims case, the court may, on its own motion or on motion of any party, adjudicate the dispute at an informal hearing. At the informal hearing all relevant evidence shall be admissible and the court may relax the rules of procedure and the rules of evidence. The court may call any person appearing in person or remotely at the hearing to testify and may conduct or participate in direct and cross-examination of any witness or party. At the conclusion of the hearing the court shall render judgment and explain the reasons therefor to all parties.
Plain-English Summary
Unless the summons says otherwise, a small-claims defendant has to appear at the time and place it specifies, and the case is tried that same day unless the court orders otherwise. A defendant who appears doesn’t need to file a written answer unless the court asks for one; without an ordered answer, the complaint’s allegations count as denied and the defendant can raise any defense at trial as if it had been formally pleaded.
The court also has the option of an informal hearing, on its own motion or a party’s. At that hearing, the judge can relax the usual rules of evidence and procedure, question anyone appearing in person or remotely, and take part in examining witnesses directly. The judge then rules at the end of the hearing and explains the reasons to the parties on the spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to file a written answer in a small-claims case?
Not unless the court orders one.
If I don’t answer, does the plaintiff win by default?
No — the complaint’s allegations are treated as denied, and you can still raise any defense at trial.
What is an informal hearing under this rule?
A relaxed proceeding where the judge can loosen the rules of evidence and procedure and question witnesses directly.
Who can ask for an informal hearing?
The court on its own motion, or either party by motion.
Can a witness appear remotely at an informal hearing?
Yes — the rule allows the court to call anyone appearing in person or remotely.
Committee Comments
This is paragraph F of former Rule 9-1, effective January 1, 1964, with a caveat that the trial court may by “Notice to Defendant” on the summons mentioned in Rule 101(b) adopt the procedure best suited to local conditions in the handling of small claims. By the notice of the summons, the defendant should be given explicit directions where to appear, whether he must appear ready for trial on the day for appearance, or whether by filing a written appearance or giving appropriate notice to the plaintiff he will be excused from going to trial at that time. If by entry of a written appearance or by personal appearance of the defendant the case is automatically set over for trial on a specified later date, the notice to defendant should so state. These suggestions are only illustrative. See also the Committee Comments to Rule 101(b). Paragraph (b) was added effective August 1, 1987. The rule authorizes the court on its own motion or on motion of any party to conduct an informal hearing to decide small claims cases where the amount claimed by any party does not exceed $1,000. Amended in 1992 to delete the condition setting an upper limit on the value of cases in which an informal hearing may be had.
Amendment History
Amended June 12, 1987, effective August 1, 1987; amended April 1, 1992, effective August 1, 1992; amended Feb. 2, 2023, 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
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