How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Illinois
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Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Illinois can help erase debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans. Many people file without a lawyer and get a fresh start on their own. This guide walks you through each step — from gathering documents and taking the required courses to filling out and submitting your forms. You’ll also find helpful tips based on where you live and how to deal with things like your car, your home, and the filing fee. If your case is simple, you may be able to use Upsolve’s free filing tool to get started today.
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer.
Updated June 10, 2025
How To File Bankruptcy in Illinois for Free
Chapter 7 bankruptcy can wipe out debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans. And many people file on their own and get a fresh start without hiring a lawyer.
This guide walks you through the bankruptcy filing process step by step. You’ll learn how to fill out the forms, deal with the filing fee, and understand your options when it comes to your car, your home, and other property. You’ll also find tips based on where you live and where to turn for free or low-cost legal help.
If your case is straightforward, you may be able to file for free using Upsolve’s online tool. If you’re ready to get started, you can take our quick screener to see if you qualify. Or read on to learn more about the steps to filing Chapter 7.
- Collect Your Illinois Bankruptcy Documents
- Take a Credit Counseling Course
- Complete the Bankruptcy Forms
- Get Your Filing Fee
- Print Your Bankruptcy Forms
- File Your Forms With Your Local Illinois Bankruptcy Court
- Mail Documents to Your Trustee
- Take the Second Required Course (Debtor Education/Financial Management)
- Attend Your 341 Meeting
- Deal With Your Car
Collect Your Illinois Bankruptcy Documents
First, you’ll need to gather some important documents. Doing so will help you fill out your bankruptcy forms. Plus, you’ll be required to submit certain documents to the court or your bankruptcy trustee.
At a minimum, you’ll need:
Your tax returns from the past two years
Pay stubs or proof of income from the last 60 days
A bank statement that includes your filing date
These documents can also be helpful to have on hand as you fill out the bankruptcy forms:
Credit card and loan statements
Letters or notices from debt collectors
6–12 months of bank statements
A recent credit report
📄 You can get a free credit report from all three credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. And, if you use Upsolve’s filing tool, your credit report will be pulled for you automatically.
Take a Credit Counseling Course
Once your documents are in order, the next step is taking a required credit counseling course. Everyone who files bankruptcy has to do this, no matter where they live or if they file with a lawyer or on their own.
💡 This course helps you understand your debt relief options so you can decide if bankruptcy is right for you.
Here are some important details about the course:
You must take it within 180 days of filing your case.
You can take it online, by phone, or sometimes in person.
It usually costs $10–$50. If you can’t afford the fee, you can ask for a fee waiver.
You have to take the course from an approved agency.
✅ When you finish, you’ll get a certificate that you need to file with your bankruptcy forms. If the court doesn’t get your certificate, your case could be dismissed.
Once you’ve finished the credit counseling course, it’s time to start filling out your bankruptcy paperwork.
Complete the Bankruptcy Forms
Every Chapter 7 filer fills out the same set of federal bankruptcy forms. You can view and download the forms for free at USCourts.gov.
📄 The federal bankruptcy forms ask for detailed information about your income, property, expenses, and debts.
Some bankruptcy courts also require local forms to be completed. Illinois has three federal court districts — Northern, Central, and Southern — and each one may have its own requirements. You’ll find more details about those later in this guide.
👉 If you use Upsolve’s filing tool, you’ll answer some questions online, and our tool will use your answers to fill out the forms for you. Many people find this much easier than trying to figure out the forms on their own.
🤝 If you work with a bankruptcy lawyer, they’ll usually fill out and file the forms on your behalf after speaking with you and gathering your financial information.
Once your forms are complete, you’re almost ready to file your case with the court. But first, you’ll need to figure out how to pay the filing fee or see if you qualify to have it waived.
Get Your Filing Fee
💰 There’s a $338 fee to file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case.
If you can’t afford the fee, you may qualify for a fee waiver. This is available if your income is below 150% of the federal poverty guideline.
✨ If you use Upsolve’s filing tool, it will help you fill out the fee waiver form. You will still need to file the form with the court yourself.
If you don’t qualify for a waiver, you can ask to pay the fee in smaller monthly payments. This is called an installment plan. Some people choose this option if they’re facing urgent collection actions, like wage garnishment or repossession. Once you file your case, the automatic stay goes into effect and stops most collections right away.
Keep in mind that if you miss a payment on your plan, the court may dismiss your case. If this happens, you won’t get a refund for what you’ve already paid. So, make sure you have a solid plan in place to make your payments if you choose this option.
Once you have your filing fee sorted, the next step is to print and sign your forms.
Print Your Bankruptcy Forms
The Northern and Central Bankruptcy Districts of Illinois allow filers to submit their bankruptcy forms online, but if you don’t live in one of those districts or you simply prefer to submit your forms in person, you’ll need to print your bankruptcy forms.
📍You can find district-specific information below for every county in Illinois.
If you choose to print your forms, here are some tips to make sure they’re court-ready:
Use black ink.
Print single-sided pages only.
Use standard letter-size paper (8.5” x 11”).
Don’t staple, hole-punch, or bind your forms.
✍️ Take your time reviewing everything before you print, and make sure you include all required forms. Once printed, review your packet carefully and sign everywhere a signature is required.
✨ If you’re using Upsolve’s filing tool, you’ll get a ready-to-print packet with everything you need. The forms come with helpful dividers that show you exactly where to sign so nothing gets missed.
If you hire a lawyer, they’ll usually file electronically on your behalf.
Once everything’s printed and signed, you’re ready to officially start your case by filing your forms with the court.
File Your Forms With Your Local Illinois Bankruptcy Court
Illinois has three federal bankruptcy districts: Northern, Central, and Southern. Each one has its own rules for people who are filing bankruptcy without an attorney.
Most filers in Illinois either bring their forms to the courthouse in person or mail them in. Some districts also offer electronic filing for individuals. You’ll find district-specific details later in this guide.
🏛️ Many people choose to file their forms in person at the courthouse so the clerk can do a quick check to make sure nothing is missing or unsigned. Doing so can give you extra peace of mind.
Mail Documents to Your Trustee
After you file your forms, the court will assign your case to a bankruptcy trustee.
💡A bankruptcy trustee is a neutral person who reviews your paperwork and oversees your case. You’ll get their name and contact information in an official court notice.
You’ll need to send your trustee some key documents at least seven days before your 341 meeting (more on this meeting later).
These usually include:
Your most recent federal tax return
A bank statement that covers the day you filed your case
Pay stubs or proof of income from the 60 days before you filed
Take the Second Required Course (Debtor Education/Financial Management)
Once you’ve filed your case, there’s one more required course to complete. It’s called the debtor education course or financial management course, and it helps you build money management skills so you can make the most of your financial fresh start.
Here’s what you need to know about this course:
You must complete it within 60 days of your 341 meeting.
Many people take the course before their 341 meeting to get it out of the way. Either way, just make sure not to miss the deadline.
The cost is usually $10–$50, but you can apply for a fee waiver if you can’t afford it.
You must use a court-approved provider in your district.
You’ll get a certificate of completion when you finish the course. You need to file your certificate with the court after you finish or the court may dismiss your case without discharging your debt.
Attend Your 341 Meeting
About a month after you file, you’ll attend a short required meeting called the 341 meeting, or the meeting of creditors. This is a standard step in every Chapter 7 bankruptcy case. Most people find the meeting straightforward and less intimidating than they expected.
Here’s what you can expect:
The meeting is run by your bankruptcy trustee, not a judge.
In most cases, it only takes about 10 minutes.
Your trustee will check your ID, ask a few basic questions about your paperwork, and confirm that everything looks accurate.
You must bring a photo ID and proof of your Social Security number (like your Social Security card or a W-2).
The meeting usually takes place by phone or video, depending on your court district.
Creditors are allowed to attend, but they rarely do, especially in simple cases.
Once your 341 meeting is complete, you’re one step closer to getting your debts wiped out. As your case moves forward, you’ll also want to think about how bankruptcy affects any vehicles you own or lease.
Deal With Your Car
Many people worry they’ll lose their car if they file for Chapter 7. The good news is, most filers are able to keep their vehicles.
🚗 Whether you can keep yours depends on how much your car is worth and how much equity you have in it. You can usually keep your car if its value is covered by the Illinois motor vehicle exemption. This exemption protects up to $2,400 of equity in one vehicle. (We’ll explain exemptions in more detail later.)
💡 Equity is the car’s current fair market value minus any loans you owe on it.
So, if you own your car outright, your equity is equal to its current fair market value, which you can find on sites like KBB.com or Edmunds.com.
If you have a car loan, you still have options:
If you’re up to date on your payments and can afford to keep making them, you can usually keep the car by signing a reaffirmation agreement. This means you also agree to keep making your regular payments.
If you owe more on the car than it’s worth, you could consider redeeming the car. This means paying its current fair market value in one lump sum. If you’re able to do this, you’ll no longer owe on a car loan, and you get to keep the car. The downside is that it’s difficult for most people to come up with the lump sum.
If you don’t want to keep the car, you can surrender the car and wipe out the loan entirely. Some people choose this if their car payments are too high.
If you’re leasing your car, you have options, too. Read our guide to leases for more information.
Illinois Bankruptcy Means Test
The means test helps the court decide whether you’re eligible to file for Chapter 7 based on your income.
The means test consists of two parts. First, look at your recent average monthly income. If your income is lower than the median income for your household size in Illinois, you usually pass the means test and qualify for Chapter 7. If so, you don’t have to do the second part of the test.
If your income is above the median, though, the court will want to take a closer look at your expenses to see if you have any disposable income to repay your debts. If you don’t have much left over, you may still qualify for Chapter 7.
If you’re not sure if you’re eligible for Chapter 7 or not, it may be helpful to get legal advice to see what your options are.
If the means test shows you’re eligible to file, the next step is getting your paperwork to the right court. Where and how you file depends on which district in Illinois you live in.
Data on Median Income Levels for Illinois
Illinois Median Income Standards for Means Test for Cases Filed In 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Household Size | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
| 1 | $5,800.92 | $69,611.00 |
| 2 | $7,402.00 | $88,824.00 |
| 3 | $9,041.00 | $108,492.00 |
| 4 | $11,044.67 | $132,536.00 |
| 5 | $11,969.67 | $143,636.00 |
| 6 | $12,894.67 | $154,736.00 |
| 7 | $13,819.67 | $165,836.00 |
| 8 | $14,744.67 | $176,936.00 |
| 9 | $15,669.67 | $188,036.00 |
| 10 | $16,594.67 | $199,136.00 |
Data on Poverty Levels for Illinois
Illinois Fee Waiver Eligibility for Cases Filed In 2025Eligible for fee waiver when under 150% the poverty level. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Household Size | State Poverty Level | Fee Waiver Limit (150% PL) |
| 1 | $1,255.00 | $1,882.50 |
| 2 | $1,703.33 | $2,555.00 |
| 3 | $2,151.67 | $3,227.50 |
| 4 | $2,600.00 | $3,900.00 |
| 5 | $3,048.33 | $4,572.50 |
| 6 | $3,496.67 | $5,245.00 |
| 7 | $3,945.00 | $5,917.50 |
| 8 | $4,393.33 | $6,590.00 |
| 9 | $4,841.67 | $7,262.50 |
| 10 | $5,290.00 | $7,935.00 |
Illinois Districts & Filing Requirements
Illinois has three federal bankruptcy districts: Northern, Central, and Southern.
💡Each district has its own rules for how to file your forms, how to pay your fee, and how to deliver documents as explained in the relevant section below.
To figure out which court to file at, find your county in the chart below, then read the section information for that district.
| District | Division/Courthouse | Counties Served |
|---|---|---|
| Northern District of Illinois | Eastern Division (Chicago) | Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, Will, Grundy, LaSalle, and Kendall |
| Eastern Division (Chicago) | Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, and Winnebago | |
| Central District of Illinois | Peoria Division | Rock Island, Mercer, Henderson, Hancock, McDonough, Warren, Henry, Knox, Fulton, Bureau, Stark, Putnam, Marshall, Peoria, Woodford, and Tazewell |
| Springfield Division | Adams, Pike, Brown, Schuyler, Mason, Cass, Morgan, Scott, Greene, Macoupin, Montgomery, Shelby, Christian, Sangamon, Menard, Logan, McLean, De Witt, and Macon | |
| Urbana Division | Livingston, Kankakee, Ford, Iroquois, Piatt, Champaign, Vermilion, Moultrie, Douglas, Coles, and Edgar | |
| Southern District of Illinois | East St. Louis Division | Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Monroe, St. Clair, and Clinton |
| Benton Division | many more |
Northern District of Illinois Requirements
The Northern District of Illinois has two divisional offices:
The Eastern Division (Chicago) serves Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, Will, Grundy, LaSalle, and Kendall counties.
The Western Division (Rockford) serves Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, and Winnebago counties.
If you live in the Northern District, you have a lot of form-filing options! They include:
👤 In person: You can file your bankruptcy documents at the Clerk's Office during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. If someone files on your behalf, they’ll need their ID plus yours.
🏛️At the court drop box: Available at both the Chicago and Rockford courthouses during open hours. Ensure your documents and filing fee or fee waiver form are in a sealed envelope with your name, case number (if applicable), phone number, and email address. Use the time stamp at the drop box to record the date and time on your envelope.
💻Online via either electronic drop box or the court’s eSR (electronic self-representation) system:
The court’s electronic drop box (eDB) is a digital version of the court’s physical drop box. It allows you to submit your completed documents electronically. Documents are typically processed within 24 hours or by the next business day.
The court’s electronic self-representation (eSR) system is a guided online tool for people filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy without an attorney. You fill out a questionnaire, and it builds your forms as you go.
📫 Via mail: You can send your signed documents and filing fee or fee waiver to the courthouse serving your county:
Chicago (Eastern Division) U.S. Bankruptcy Court 219 S. Dearborn Street, Room 710 Chicago, IL 60604
Rockford (Western Division) U.S. Bankruptcy Court 327 S. Church Street Rockford, IL 61101
Payment Options in the Northern District of Illinois
💰In the Northern District of Illinois, you can pay your bankruptcy filing fee in person using cash (exact change only), a cashier’s check, a certified check, or a money order.
You can also pay the fee online using a debit card or via electronic payment from your bank account.
❌ The court doesn’t accept personal checks or credit cards.
If you can’t afford to pay the full fee all at once, you can ask the court to let you pay in installments. The court usually splits the $338 fee into four payments of $84.50. You’ll need to pay at least half ($169) within the first 60 days after filing.
Central District of Illinois Requirements
The Central District of Illinois is divided into three divisions: Peoria, Springfield, and Urbana.
Each division handles bankruptcy cases for specific counties as follows:
Peoria Division: Rock Island, Mercer, Henderson, Hancock, McDonough, Warren, Henry, Knox, Fulton, Bureau, Stark, Putnam, Marshall, Peoria, Woodford, and Tazewell counties.
Springfield Division: Adams, Pike, Brown, Schuyler, Mason, Cass, Morgan, Scott, Greene, Macoupin, Montgomery, Shelby, Christian, Sangamon, Menard, Logan, McLean, De Witt, and Macon counties.
Urbana Division: Livingston, Kankakee, Ford, Iroquois, Piatt, Champaign, Vermilion, Moultrie, Douglas, Coles, and Edgar counties.
Filing Options in the Central District of Illinois
If you live in the Central District of Illinois, you can file your bankruptcy case in person at the courthouse nearest you, online, or via mail.
👤 In person: You can file your bankruptcy documents at the Clerk’s Office during business hours, Monday through Friday. Bring a valid photo ID. If someone else is filing for you, they’ll need to bring their ID and yours.
💻Online via the court’s electronic self-representation (eSR) system or electronic document submission system (EDSS):
The electronic self-representation (eSR) is a guided online tool for people filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy without an attorney. You fill out a questionnaire, and it builds your forms as you go.
The electronic document submission system (EDSS) is a secure digital drop box, allowing you to upload your signed documents from a computer or smartphone. After you electronically submit your forms, the court will review your documents and contact you with next steps.
📫 Via mail: You can send your signed documents and filing fee or fee waiver to the courthouse serving your county:
Peoria Division U.S. Bankruptcy Court 100 N.E. Monroe Street, Room 216 Peoria, IL 61602
Springfield Division U.S. Bankruptcy Court 600 E. Monroe Street, Room 240 Springfield, IL 62701
Urbana Division U.S. Bankruptcy Court 201 S. Vine Street, Suite 226 Urbana, IL 61802
Payment Options in the Central District of Illinois
💰In the Central District of Illinois, you can pay the $338 bankruptcy filing fee with a cashier’s check or money order made out to “Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court.”
You can also pay with exact cash if you’re filing your forms in person at the Springfield office only.
❌ The court doesn’t accept personal checks or credit cards from people filing without a lawyer. You can’t pay your filing fee online in the Central District.
If you can’t pay the full fee up front, you can ask to pay in installments. There’s no required minimum for your first payment, but the court may turn down your request if the plan doesn’t seem reasonable.
Southern District of Illinois Requirements
The Southern District of Illinois has two main court locations: East St. Louis and Benton.
Each location handles cases for specific counties as follows:
East St. Louis Division: Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Monroe, St. Clair, and Clinton counties.
Benton Division: All other counties in the Southern District, including Fayette, Marion, Jefferson, Jackson, Franklin, Williamson, Union, Saline, and more.
Filing Options in the Southern District of Illinois
If you live in the Southern District of Illinois, you can only file your case in person or via mail.
👤 In person: You can file your bankruptcy paperwork at the Clerk’s Office in either East St. Louis or Benton during business hours, Monday through Friday. Bring a valid photo ID with you. If someone else files for you, they’ll need to bring their ID and yours.
📫 Via mail: You can mail your signed documents and filing fee or fee waiver to the courthouse that serves your county:
East St. Louis Division (Western Division) U.S. Bankruptcy Court 750 Missouri Avenue East St. Louis, IL 62201
Rockford (Western Division) U.S. Bankruptcy Court 301 W. Main Street Benton, IL 62812
💡If you don’t live near the courthouse, you can mail your forms, but if you’re able to file in person, the clerk can check your paperwork for errors before you leave.
Payment Options in the Southern District of Illinois
💰You can pay your $338 filing fee using a cashier’s check, money order, debit card, or cash. Make checks or money orders payable to “Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court.”
❌The Southern District doesn’t currently allow bankruptcy filers to submit payments electronically. Also, the court doesn’t accept personal checks or credit cards from people filing without a lawyer.
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Illinois Bankruptcy Exemptions
When you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, certain laws help protect the things you need to rebuild your life. These protections are called bankruptcy exemptions.
💡 Bankruptcy exemptions help you keep your most important belongings, like your home, car, or household items.
In some states, you can choose between state and federal exemptions. But in Illinois, you have to use the Illinois state exemptions.
Here are some of the key protections in Illinois:
🏠 Homestead exemption: If you own your home, you can protect up to $15,000 of equity if you file alone, or up to $30,000 if you file jointly with a spouse and you both own the home.
🚗 Motor vehicle exemption: You can protect up to $2,400 of equity in one car.
✨ Wildcard exemption: This lets you protect up to $4,000 in personal property of your choice, like cash, furniture, or electronics. But you can’t use it to protect real estate.
Illinois Bankruptcy Lawyer Cost
Many people file Chapter 7 without a lawyer, but some feel better having legal support. In Illinois, bankruptcy lawyers usually charge a flat fee between $900 and $1,200 for Chapter 7 cases. This is often the biggest cost in the process, but it can be worth it if you own a home, have a more complex case, or just want extra peace of mind.
Most lawyers offer a free consultation so you can ask questions and see if they’re a good fit. Before hiring an attorney, it’s a good idea to check their reviews, background, and see if you’re comfortable working with them.
Illinois Legal Aid Organizations
If hiring a lawyer feels out of reach but you don’t want to file on your own, you might be able to get help from a legal aid organization in Illinois. These groups offer free or low-cost support to people with limited income. To qualify, you usually need to earn less than a certain amount each year.
