Article V. Rules on Trial Court Proceedings in Traffic and Conservation Offenses, Ordinance Offenses, Petty Offenses, Misdemeanors, and Civil Law Violations · Part F. Rules and Procedures for Civil Law Violations · Last amended 2016 · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceRule 590 lets the court enter a default judgment and assess the standard fine against anyone who skips their court date on a civil law violation.
Full Text of Ill. S. Ct. R. 590
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In all civil law violation cases in which a defendant is issued a Uniform Civil Law Citation as
provided under this Article and fails to appear on the date set for appearance, or on any date to which the case may be continued, the court may enter a default judgment and in so doing shall assess a fine, inclusive of costs, as prescribed in Rule 588. Payment received for the fine assessed following the entry of a default judgment shall be disbursed by the clerk pursuant to Rule 588.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 590 covers what happens when someone issued a Uniform Civil Law Citation misses their appearance date — the original one, or any date the case gets continued to. The court can enter a default judgment and assess the fine set out in Rule 588, inclusive of costs.
Once that judgment is entered, the clerk disburses the money collected the same way Rule 588 requires for any other civil law violation payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I don't show up for my civil law violation court date?
The court can enter a default judgment against you.
How much will the default judgment be?
The same fine set out in Rule 588, inclusive of costs.
Does missing a continued court date carry the same risk?
Yes, the rule covers both the original appearance date and any date the case is continued to.
Who collects and distributes the fine after a default judgment?
The clerk of the circuit court, following the same distribution rule that applies under Rule 588.
Can I still address the matter after a default judgment is entered?
This rule doesn't set out a way to undo the judgment directly — check with the circuit clerk about any local process for addressing it.
Amendment History
Adopted Sept. 1, 2016, 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:missed court date for a cannabis citationdefault judgment civil law violationfailure to appear civil law citationcannabis citation default judgment