(a) Form of Summons. The summons in proceedings under the Administrative Review Law
shall be prepared by utilizing, or substantially adopting the appearance and content of, the form provided in the Article II Forms Appendix.
Rule 291.Proceedings Under the Administrative Review Law
Article II. Rules on Civil Proceedings in the Trial Court · Part K. Miscellaneous · Last amended 2018 · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceRule 291 sets the summons, service, appearance, and appeal-record procedures for lawsuits that challenge a state administrative agency’s decision.
Full Text of Ill. S. Ct. R. 291
(b) Service. The clerk shall promptly serve each defendant by mailing a copy of the summons by registered or certified mail as provided in the Administrative Review Law. Not later than 5 days after the mailing of copies of the summons, the clerk shall file a certificate showing that the defendants were served by registered or certified mail pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Review Law.
(c) Appearance. The defendant shall appear not later than 35 days after the date the summons bears.
(d) Other Rules Applicable. Rules 181(b), 182(b), 183, and 184 shall apply to proceedings under the Administrative Review Law.
(e) Record on Appeal. The answer of the administrative agency, consisting of the record of proceedings (including the evidence and exhibits, if any) had before the administrative agency, shall be incorporated in the record on appeal unless the parties stipulate to less, or the trial court after notice and hearing, or the reviewing court, orders less.
Plain-English Summary
When someone asks a court to review a decision by a state administrative agency, Rule 291 supplies the mechanics. The summons follows the form in the Article II Forms Appendix, and the clerk serves each defendant by registered or certified mail, filing a certificate of service within five days of mailing.
Defendants get 35 days from the date of the summons to appear, and several general summons and appearance rules — Rules 181(b), 182(b), 183, and 184 — apply to these proceedings alongside Rule 291’s own provisions.
The record on appeal is meant to be complete: it includes the administrative agency’s full record of proceedings, evidence, and exhibits, unless the parties stipulate to less, the trial court orders a smaller record after notice and hearing, or the reviewing court orders a smaller record on its own, without that same notice-and-hearing step.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rule 291 used for?
Judicial review of a decision by a state administrative agency under the Administrative Review Law.
How is the agency served with the summons?
By registered or certified mail, with the clerk filing a certificate of service within five days.
How long does the defendant have to appear?
No later than 35 days after the date the summons bears.
What goes into the record on appeal?
The full administrative record, including evidence and exhibits, unless the parties stipulate to less, the trial court orders less after notice and hearing, or the reviewing court orders less on its own.
Do other summons and appearance rules apply to these cases?
Yes — Rules 181(b), 182(b), 183, and 184 apply alongside Rule 291.
Committee Comments
(Revised April 27, 1984)
As originally adopted, Rule 291 carried forward the provisions of former Rule 71 without substantial change. Paragraphs (a) through (d) remain as originally adopted. In 1979, paragraph (e) was amended in four respects. First, language was added to make it clear that the exhibits, as well as any other “evidence,” constitute a part of the record of proceedings had before the administrative agency. Second, it was provided that the parties may stipulate for inclusion in the record on appeal of less than the full record of proceedings. Third, it was provided that, if the trial court orders less, it must do so after notice and hearing. Fourth, it was provided that the reviewing court, without notice and hearing, may order less.
Section 3-105 of the Code of Civil Procedure was amended, effective July 13, 1982, and, in 1984, paragraph (b) of this rule was amended to allow service of summons by certified mail, as well as registered mail.
Amendment History
Amended July 30, 1979, effective October 15, 1979; amended May 28, 1982, effective July 1, 1982; amended April 27, 1984, effective July 1, 1984; amended October 30, 1992, effective November 15, 1992; amended May 30, 2008, effective immediately; amended Dec. 9, 2015, eff. Jan. 1, 2016; amended Dec. 29, 2017, eff. Jan. 1, 2018.
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: administrative review law procedure Illinoisappealing an agency decisionadministrative review summonsjudicial review of agency decisionrecord on appeal administrative case