2-1009A.Filing Fees.

Article II. Civil Practice · Part 10A. Mandatory Arbitration System · Last amended 2008 · Last verified July 20, 2026

In one sentenceRequires an added arbitration filing fee -- $8, or $10 in the state's largest counties -- on the first pleading each party files in counties that use mandatory arbitration, with proceeds funding the arbitration program.

Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/2-1009A

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In each county authorized by the Supreme Court to utilize mandatory arbitration, the clerk of the circuit court shall charge and collect, in addition to any other fees, an arbitration fee of $8, except in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants the fee shall be $10, at the time of filing the first pleading, paper or other appearance filed by each party in all civil cases, but no additional fee shall be required if more than one party is represented in a single pleading, paper or other appearance. Arbitration fees received by the clerk of the circuit court pursuant to this Section shall be remitted within one month after receipt to the State Treasurer for deposit into the Mandatory Arbitration Fund, a special fund in the State treasury for the purpose of funding mandatory arbitration programs and such other alternative dispute resolution programs as may be authorized by circuit court rule for operation in counties that have implemented mandatory arbitration, with a separate account being maintained for each county. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section to the contrary, the Mandatory Arbitration Fund may be used for any other purpose authorized by the Supreme Court.

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Plain-English Summary

In counties the Supreme Court has authorized to use mandatory arbitration, the clerk charges an arbitration fee on top of other filing fees: $8 as the general rate, or $10 in counties with 3,000,000 or more residents. The fee is charged at the time of filing the first pleading, paper, or other appearance by each party in a civil case.

The fee is charged per party, not per filing -- no additional charge applies when more than one party is represented in a single pleading, paper, or appearance.

Collected fees go to the State Treasurer within a month, for deposit into the Mandatory Arbitration Fund, though the Supreme Court may direct the Fund to any other purpose it authorizes, despite the fund's name.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the arbitration filing fee?

$8 in most counties, or $10 in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants.

Who pays the fee?

Each party, at the time of filing their first pleading, paper, or appearance.

Does a joint filing by two parties cost double?

No. No additional fee applies when multiple parties are represented in one filing.

Where does the fee money go?

To the State Treasurer, for deposit into the Mandatory Arbitration Fund.

Can the fund pay for anything besides arbitration?

Yes. The Supreme Court may direct the Fund to any other purpose it authorizes.

Amendment History

(Source: P.A. 94-91, eff. 7-1-05; 94-839, eff. 6-6-06; 95-707, eff. 1-11-08.)

Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Compiled Statutes, published by the Illinois Compiled Statutes, Illinois General Assembly / Legislative Reference Bureau. Last verified July 20, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: illinois arbitration filing feemandatory arbitration fund feecook county arbitration fee