How to Serve Process in Illinois
(735 ILCS 5/2-203) (from Ch. 110, par. 2-203)
Sec. 2-203. Service on individuals.
(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided, service of summons upon an individual defendant shall be made (1) by leaving a copy of the summons with the defendant personally, (2) by leaving a copy at the defendant's usual place of abode, with some person of the family or a person residing there, of the age of 13 years or upwards, and informing that person of the contents of the summons, provided the officer or other person making service shall also send a copy of the summons in a sealed envelope with postage fully prepaid, addressed to the defendant at his or her usual place of abode, or (3) as provided in Section 1-2-9.2 of the Illinois Municipal Code with respect to violation of an ordinance governing parking or standing of vehicles in cities with a population over 500,000. The certificate of the officer or affidavit of the person that he or she has sent the copy in pursuance of this Section is evidence that he or she has done so. No employee of a facility licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act, the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013, the ID/DD Community Care Act, or the MC/DD Act shall obstruct an officer or other person making service in compliance with this Section. An employee of a gated residential community shall grant entry into the community, including its common areas and common elements, to a process server authorized under Section 2-202 of this Code who is attempting to serve process on a defendant or witness who resides within or is known to be within the community. As used in this Section, "gated residential community" includes a condominium association, housing cooperative, or private community.
(b) The officer, in his or her certificate or in a record filed and maintained in the Sheriff's office, or other person making service, in his or her affidavit or in a record filed and maintained in his or her employer's office, shall (1) identify as to sex, race, and approximate age the defendant or other person with whom the summons was left and (2) state the place where (whenever possible in terms of an exact street address) and the date and time of the day when the summons was left with the defendant or other person.
(c) Any person who knowingly sets forth in the certificate or affidavit any false statement, shall be liable in civil contempt. When the court holds a person in civil contempt under this Section, it shall award such damages as it determines to be just and, when the contempt is prosecuted by a private attorney, may award reasonable attorney's fees.
(Source: P.A. 98-104, eff. 7-22-13; 98-966, eff. 1-1-15; 99-180, eff. 7-29-15.)
(735 ILCS 5/2-203.1) (from Ch. 110, par. 2-203.1)
Sec. 2-203.1. Service by special order of court. If service upon an individual defendant is impractical under items (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of Section 2-203, the plaintiff may move, without notice, that the court enter an order directing a comparable method of service. The motion shall be accompanied with an affidavit stating the nature and extent of the investigation made to determine the whereabouts of the defendant and the reasons why service is impractical under items (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of Section 2-203, including a specific statement showing that a diligent inquiry as to the location of the individual defendant was made and reasonable efforts to make service have been unsuccessful. The court may order service to be made in any manner consistent with due process.
(Source: P.A. 87-1165.)
(735 ILCS 5/2-203.2)
Sec. 2-203.2. Service on an inmate. For the security of a correctional institution or facility or jail, a process server may be refused entry into that correctional institution or facility or jail. Each correctional institution or facility or jail shall designate a representative to accept service from a licensed or registered private detective or agency for purposes of effectuating service upon an inmate in the custody of the institution, facility, or jail. With respect to an inmate incarcerated in an Illinois Department of Corrections facility, the process server shall contact the chief administrative officer in advance to arrange and designate the time and date, during regularly scheduled business hours, that the facility representative will meet with and accept service from the process server. Service upon a warden's or sheriff's representative shall constitute substitute service and a mailing to the inmate of the process shall be completed by the server in accordance with Section 2-202. A warden's or sheriff's representative accepting substitute service shall forward the process to the inmate, but if for any reason the process is not forwarded to the inmate, the sheriff, sheriff's representative, warden, or warden's representative shall not be responsible for any civil fine or penalty, or have other liability. If for any reason an inmate is not in the correctional institution or facility or jail at the time of the service of process, a warden's or sheriff's representative may refuse to accept service for the inmate. If it is determined after the process has been left with the designated representative, that the inmate is not present at that institution or facility or jail, the designated representative shall promptly return it to the licensed or registered private detective or agency, indicating that the substitute service could not be effectuated. The process server shall promptly notify the court of the unsuccessful service.
(Source: P.A. 96-1451, eff. 8-20-10.)
(735 ILCS 5/2-204) (from Ch. 110, par. 2-204)
Sec. 2-204. S**ervice on private corporations**. A private corporation may be served (1) by leaving a copy of the process with its registered agent or any officer or agent of the corporation found anywhere in the State; or (2) in any other manner now or hereafter permitted by law. A private corporation may also be notified by publication and mail in like manner and with like effect as individuals.
(Source: P.A. 83-707.)
(735 ILCS 5/2-205) (from Ch. 110, par. 2-205)
Sec. 2-205. Service on partnership and partners. (a) A partnership sued in its firm name may be served by leaving a copy of the process with any partner personally or with any agent of the partnership found anywhere in the State. A partnership sued in its firm name may also be notified by publication and mail in like manner and with like effect as individuals.
(b) When a personal judgment is sought against a known partner for a partnership liability the partner may be served (1) in any manner provided for service on individuals or (2) by leaving a copy of the summons for him or her with any other partner and mailing a copy of the summons in a sealed envelope with postage prepaid, addressed to the partner against whom the judgment is sought at his or her usual place of abode as shown by an affidavit filed in the cause. The certificate of the officer or the affidavit of the other person making service that he or she has mailed the copy in pursuance of this section is evidence that he or she has done so. Service on a nonresident partner against whom a personal judgment is sought may be made by leaving a copy with any other partner, and mailing, as provided herein, only if the cause of action sued on is a partnership liability arising out of the transaction of business within the State.
(c) When a personal judgment is sought against an unknown owner in an action authorized under Section 6 of "An Act in relation to the use of an assumed name in the conduct or transaction of business in this State", approved July 17, 1941, as amended, service may be made by leaving a copy of the summons with any agent of the business and publishing notice in the manner provided by Section 2-206 of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 83-707.)
(735 ILCS 5/2-205.1) (from Ch. 110, par. 2-205.1)
Sec. 2-205.1. Service on voluntary unincorporated associations. A voluntary unincorporated association sued in its own name may be served by leaving a copy of the process with any officer of the association personally or by leaving a copy of the process at the office of the association with an agent of the association. A voluntary unincorporated association sued in its own name may also be notified by publication and mail in like manner and with like effect as individuals.
(Source: P.A. 83-901.)
(735 ILCS 5/2-206) (from Ch. 110, par. 2-206)
Sec. 2-206. Service by publication; affidavit; mailing; certificate.
(a) Whenever, in any action affecting property or status within the jurisdiction of the court, including an action to obtain the specific performance, reformation, or rescission of a contract for the conveyance of land, except for an action brought under Part 15 of Article XV of this Code that is subject to subsection (a-5), the plaintiff or his or her attorney shall file, at the office of the clerk of the court in which the action is pending, an affidavit showing that the defendant resides or has gone out of this State, or on due inquiry cannot be found, or is concealed within this State, so that process cannot be served upon him or her, and stating the place of residence of the defendant, if known, or that upon diligent inquiry his or her place of residence cannot be ascertained, the clerk shall cause publication to be made in some newspaper published in the county in which the action is pending. If there is no newspaper published in that county, then the publication shall be in a newspaper published in an adjoining county in this State, having a circulation in the county in which action is pending. The publication shall contain notice of the pendency of the action, the title of the court, the title of the case, showing the names of the first named plaintiff and the first named defendant, the number of the case, the names of the parties to be served by publication, and the date on or after which default may be entered against such party. The clerk shall also, within 10 days of the first publication of the notice, send a copy thereof by mail, addressed to each defendant whose place of residence is stated in such affidavit. The certificate of the clerk that he or she has sent the copy in pursuance of this Section is evidence that he or she has done so.
(a-5) If, in any action brought under Part 15 of Article XV of this Code, the plaintiff, or his or her attorney, shall file, at the office of the clerk of the court in which the action is pending, an affidavit showing that the defendant resides outside of or has left this State, or on due inquiry cannot be found, or is concealed within this State so that process cannot be served upon him or her, and stating the place of residence of the defendant, if known, or that upon diligent inquiry his or her place of residence cannot be ascertained, the plaintiff, or his or her attorney, shall cause publication to be made in some newspaper published in the county in which the action is pending. If there is no newspaper published in that county, then the publication shall be in a newspaper published in an adjoining county in this State, having a circulation in the county in which action is pending. The publication shall contain notice of the pendency of the action, the title of the court, the title of the case, showing the names of the first named plaintiff and the first named defendant, the number of the case, the names of the parties to be served by publication, and the date on or after which default may be entered against such party. It shall be the non-delegable duty of the plaintiff, or his or her attorney, within 10 days of the first publication of the notice, to send a copy thereof by mail, addressed to each defendant whose place of residence is stated in such affidavit. The certificate of the plaintiff, or his or her attorney, that he or she has sent the copy in pursuance of this Section is evidence that he or she has done so. A copy of the certificate shall be filed at the office of the clerk of the court where the action is pending.
(b) In any action brought by a unit of local government to cause the demolition, repair, or enclosure of a dangerous and unsafe or uncompleted or abandoned building, notice by publication under this Section may be commenced during the time during which attempts are made to locate the defendant for personal service. In that case, the unit of local government shall file with the clerk an affidavit stating that the action meets the requirements of this subsection and that all required attempts are being made to locate the defendant. Upon the filing of the affidavit, the clerk shall cause publication to be made under this Section. Upon completing the attempts to locate the defendant required by this Section, the municipality shall file with the clerk an affidavit meeting the requirements of subsection (a). Service under this subsection shall not be deemed to have been made until the affidavit is filed and service by publication in the manner prescribed in subsection (a) is completed.
(Source: P.A. 101-539, eff. 1-1-20; 102-156, eff. 1-1-22; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)
Sec. 2-203. Service on individuals.
(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided, service of summons upon an individual defendant shall be made (1) by leaving a copy of the summons with the defendant personally, (2) by leaving a copy at the defendant's usual place of abode, with some person of the family or a person residing there, of the age of 13 years or upwards, and informing that person of the contents of the summons, provided the officer or other person making service shall also send a copy of the summons in a sealed envelope with postage fully prepaid, addressed to the defendant at his or her usual place of abode, or (3) as provided in Section 1-2-9.2 of the Illinois Municipal Code with respect to violation of an ordinance governing parking or standing of vehicles in cities with a population over 500,000. The certificate of the officer or affidavit of the person that he or she has sent the copy in pursuance of this Section is evidence that he or she has done so. No employee of a facility licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act, the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013, the ID/DD Community Care Act, or the MC/DD Act shall obstruct an officer or other person making service in compliance with this Section. An employee of a gated residential community shall grant entry into the community, including its common areas and common elements, to a process server authorized under Section 2-202 of this Code who is attempting to serve process on a defendant or witness who resides within or is known to be within the community. As used in this Section, "gated residential community" includes a condominium association, housing cooperative, or private community.
(b) The officer, in his or her certificate or in a record filed and maintained in the Sheriff's office, or other person making service, in his or her affidavit or in a record filed and maintained in his or her employer's office, shall (1) identify as to sex, race, and approximate age the defendant or other person with whom the summons was left and (2) state the place where (whenever possible in terms of an exact street address) and the date and time of the day when the summons was left with the defendant or other person.
(c) Any person who knowingly sets forth in the certificate or affidavit any false statement, shall be liable in civil contempt. When the court holds a person in civil contempt under this Section, it shall award such damages as it determines to be just and, when the contempt is prosecuted by a private attorney, may award reasonable attorney's fees.
(Source: P.A. 98-104, eff. 7-22-13; 98-966, eff. 1-1-15; 99-180, eff. 7-29-15.)
(735 ILCS 5/2-203.1) (from Ch. 110, par. 2-203.1)
Sec. 2-203.1. Service by special order of court. If service upon an individual defendant is impractical under items (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of Section 2-203, the plaintiff may move, without notice, that the court enter an order directing a comparable method of service. The motion shall be accompanied with an affidavit stating the nature and extent of the investigation made to determine the whereabouts of the defendant and the reasons why service is impractical under items (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of Section 2-203, including a specific statement showing that a diligent inquiry as to the location of the individual defendant was made and reasonable efforts to make service have been unsuccessful. The court may order service to be made in any manner consistent with due process.
(Source: P.A. 87-1165.)
(735 ILCS 5/2-203.2)
Sec. 2-203.2. Service on an inmate. For the security of a correctional institution or facility or jail, a process server may be refused entry into that correctional institution or facility or jail. Each correctional institution or facility or jail shall designate a representative to accept service from a licensed or registered private detective or agency for purposes of effectuating service upon an inmate in the custody of the institution, facility, or jail. With respect to an inmate incarcerated in an Illinois Department of Corrections facility, the process server shall contact the chief administrative officer in advance to arrange and designate the time and date, during regularly scheduled business hours, that the facility representative will meet with and accept service from the process server. Service upon a warden's or sheriff's representative shall constitute substitute service and a mailing to the inmate of the process shall be completed by the server in accordance with Section 2-202. A warden's or sheriff's representative accepting substitute service shall forward the process to the inmate, but if for any reason the process is not forwarded to the inmate, the sheriff, sheriff's representative, warden, or warden's representative shall not be responsible for any civil fine or penalty, or have other liability. If for any reason an inmate is not in the correctional institution or facility or jail at the time of the service of process, a warden's or sheriff's representative may refuse to accept service for the inmate. If it is determined after the process has been left with the designated representative, that the inmate is not present at that institution or facility or jail, the designated representative shall promptly return it to the licensed or registered private detective or agency, indicating that the substitute service could not be effectuated. The process server shall promptly notify the court of the unsuccessful service.
(Source: P.A. 96-1451, eff. 8-20-10.)
(735 ILCS 5/2-204) (from Ch. 110, par. 2-204)
Sec. 2-204. S**ervice on private corporations**. A private corporation may be served (1) by leaving a copy of the process with its registered agent or any officer or agent of the corporation found anywhere in the State; or (2) in any other manner now or hereafter permitted by law. A private corporation may also be notified by publication and mail in like manner and with like effect as individuals.
(Source: P.A. 83-707.)
(735 ILCS 5/2-205) (from Ch. 110, par. 2-205)
Sec. 2-205. Service on partnership and partners. (a) A partnership sued in its firm name may be served by leaving a copy of the process with any partner personally or with any agent of the partnership found anywhere in the State. A partnership sued in its firm name may also be notified by publication and mail in like manner and with like effect as individuals.
(b) When a personal judgment is sought against a known partner for a partnership liability the partner may be served (1) in any manner provided for service on individuals or (2) by leaving a copy of the summons for him or her with any other partner and mailing a copy of the summons in a sealed envelope with postage prepaid, addressed to the partner against whom the judgment is sought at his or her usual place of abode as shown by an affidavit filed in the cause. The certificate of the officer or the affidavit of the other person making service that he or she has mailed the copy in pursuance of this section is evidence that he or she has done so. Service on a nonresident partner against whom a personal judgment is sought may be made by leaving a copy with any other partner, and mailing, as provided herein, only if the cause of action sued on is a partnership liability arising out of the transaction of business within the State.
(c) When a personal judgment is sought against an unknown owner in an action authorized under Section 6 of "An Act in relation to the use of an assumed name in the conduct or transaction of business in this State", approved July 17, 1941, as amended, service may be made by leaving a copy of the summons with any agent of the business and publishing notice in the manner provided by Section 2-206 of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 83-707.)
(735 ILCS 5/2-205.1) (from Ch. 110, par. 2-205.1)
Sec. 2-205.1. Service on voluntary unincorporated associations. A voluntary unincorporated association sued in its own name may be served by leaving a copy of the process with any officer of the association personally or by leaving a copy of the process at the office of the association with an agent of the association. A voluntary unincorporated association sued in its own name may also be notified by publication and mail in like manner and with like effect as individuals.
(Source: P.A. 83-901.)
(735 ILCS 5/2-206) (from Ch. 110, par. 2-206)
Sec. 2-206. Service by publication; affidavit; mailing; certificate.
(a) Whenever, in any action affecting property or status within the jurisdiction of the court, including an action to obtain the specific performance, reformation, or rescission of a contract for the conveyance of land, except for an action brought under Part 15 of Article XV of this Code that is subject to subsection (a-5), the plaintiff or his or her attorney shall file, at the office of the clerk of the court in which the action is pending, an affidavit showing that the defendant resides or has gone out of this State, or on due inquiry cannot be found, or is concealed within this State, so that process cannot be served upon him or her, and stating the place of residence of the defendant, if known, or that upon diligent inquiry his or her place of residence cannot be ascertained, the clerk shall cause publication to be made in some newspaper published in the county in which the action is pending. If there is no newspaper published in that county, then the publication shall be in a newspaper published in an adjoining county in this State, having a circulation in the county in which action is pending. The publication shall contain notice of the pendency of the action, the title of the court, the title of the case, showing the names of the first named plaintiff and the first named defendant, the number of the case, the names of the parties to be served by publication, and the date on or after which default may be entered against such party. The clerk shall also, within 10 days of the first publication of the notice, send a copy thereof by mail, addressed to each defendant whose place of residence is stated in such affidavit. The certificate of the clerk that he or she has sent the copy in pursuance of this Section is evidence that he or she has done so.
(a-5) If, in any action brought under Part 15 of Article XV of this Code, the plaintiff, or his or her attorney, shall file, at the office of the clerk of the court in which the action is pending, an affidavit showing that the defendant resides outside of or has left this State, or on due inquiry cannot be found, or is concealed within this State so that process cannot be served upon him or her, and stating the place of residence of the defendant, if known, or that upon diligent inquiry his or her place of residence cannot be ascertained, the plaintiff, or his or her attorney, shall cause publication to be made in some newspaper published in the county in which the action is pending. If there is no newspaper published in that county, then the publication shall be in a newspaper published in an adjoining county in this State, having a circulation in the county in which action is pending. The publication shall contain notice of the pendency of the action, the title of the court, the title of the case, showing the names of the first named plaintiff and the first named defendant, the number of the case, the names of the parties to be served by publication, and the date on or after which default may be entered against such party. It shall be the non-delegable duty of the plaintiff, or his or her attorney, within 10 days of the first publication of the notice, to send a copy thereof by mail, addressed to each defendant whose place of residence is stated in such affidavit. The certificate of the plaintiff, or his or her attorney, that he or she has sent the copy in pursuance of this Section is evidence that he or she has done so. A copy of the certificate shall be filed at the office of the clerk of the court where the action is pending.
(b) In any action brought by a unit of local government to cause the demolition, repair, or enclosure of a dangerous and unsafe or uncompleted or abandoned building, notice by publication under this Section may be commenced during the time during which attempts are made to locate the defendant for personal service. In that case, the unit of local government shall file with the clerk an affidavit stating that the action meets the requirements of this subsection and that all required attempts are being made to locate the defendant. Upon the filing of the affidavit, the clerk shall cause publication to be made under this Section. Upon completing the attempts to locate the defendant required by this Section, the municipality shall file with the clerk an affidavit meeting the requirements of subsection (a). Service under this subsection shall not be deemed to have been made until the affidavit is filed and service by publication in the manner prescribed in subsection (a) is completed.
(Source: P.A. 101-539, eff. 1-1-20; 102-156, eff. 1-1-22; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)
Updated on: 11/05/2023
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