Illinois · Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: What to Know Before You File
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: What to Know Before You File in Illinois
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02 · Where cases are heard
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Illinois Chapter 7 Exemptions
Illinois is an opt-out state, so an Illinois debtor may not elect the federal Section 522(d) exemptions and must use the Illinois state set (735 ILCS 5/12-901 et seq.). (Source: Nolo, Illinois Bankruptcy Exemptions.)
Homestead, Vehicle, and Wildcard (2026 figures)
The higher homestead and vehicle figures apply only to cases filed on or after January 1, 2026; earlier cases used the lower amounts. (Source: Nolo, Illinois Bankruptcy Exemptions.)
Which State's Exemptions Apply
Under the 730-day domicile rule (11 U.S.C. Section 522(b)(3)), a debtor must have been domiciled in Illinois for the 730 days before filing to use Illinois exemptions; otherwise an earlier state's set or the federal exemptions may apply.
How this works nationally
For the overall process and updates, read the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: What to Know Before You File overview. This page covers the local information available for Illinois.
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You answer a few short questions about what happened. If you send them, your answers are kept on file. If a participating law firm takes these cases, it may contact you. People's Justice is not a law firm.
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