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ATJ 1405.2

Affirmative Defenses

Illinois · Illinois Supreme Court · Effective May 1, 2024

This form is used to list reasons why the other party should not win the case, even if everything the other party claims is true. It requires the person filling it out to state facts supporting each defense.

Open the official PDFfrom Illinois Supreme Court

Where this fits in a case

Respond

Stage: Respond

This form is used when a person needs to file defenses in response to a case that has already been started. It should be filed at the same time as the Answer or Response.

Either party may file.

Official instructions

How-to guides published by the court for this form.

Common questions

What are affirmative defenses?
Affirmative defenses are reasons why the other party should not win the case, even if everything they claim is true.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect May 1, 2024.

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