What a Creditor Cannot Take
735 ILCS 5/12-901 — a $50,000 homestead, and household goods, a car up to $3,600 and more
| Property | Exempt from judgment |
|---|---|
| PropertyA home the debtor lives in | Exempt from judgmentUp to $50,000 of the debtor's interest, and $100,000 shared among 2 or more owners |
| PropertyHousehold goods and personal possessions | Exempt from judgmentAll, though a creditor may ask the court to levy on an item worth more than $5,000 |
| PropertyOne piece of jewelry | Exempt from judgmentUp to $5,000 |
| PropertyOne motor vehicle | Exempt from judgmentUp to $3,600 of the debtor's interest |
| PropertyTools of the trade and professional books | Exempt from judgmentUp to $2,250 |
| PropertyAny other property | Exempt from judgmentUp to $4,000 of equity |
Who handles this in Illinois: legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the Illinois directory.
- The right to receive social security, unemployment compensation, public assistance, veterans' benefits, and disability benefits.
- Alimony and support, to the extent reasonably necessary to support the debtor and dependents.
- Professionally prescribed health aids, and a personal injury payment up to $22,500.
Sources for this section (2)
- 735 ILCS 5/12-1001 — Personal property exempt
- 735 ILCS 5/12-901 — Amount
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Illinois attorney.