What is the statute of limitations for contract claims in Illinois?

1. Written Contracts

735 ILCS 5/13-206 imposes a 10-year SOL for actions on bonds, promissory notes, bills of exchange, written leases, written contracts, or other evidences of indebtedness in writing. Illinois's 10-year window is among the longest.

2. Oral Contracts

735 ILCS 5/13-205 provides a 5-year SOL for oral contracts, unwritten obligations, and civil actions not otherwise provided for.

3. Sealed Instruments / Promissory Notes

Promissory notes fall under the 10-year written-contract SOL. Illinois does not retain a separate sealed-instrument period.

4. Sale of Goods (UCC Article 2)

810 ILCS 5/2-725 (UCC § 2-725) provides a 4-year SOL for breach-of-sales claims from tender of delivery (not discovery). Parties may shorten to 1 year by original agreement; extensions are barred.

5. Open Account / Account Stated

Open accounts and accounts stated use the 5-year SOL under § 13-205. The clock runs from the last item or acknowledgment.

6. Accrual Rule

The cause accrues at breach. Each missed installment under an installment contract starts its own SOL.

7. Discovery Rule for Fraudulent Concealment

Illinois applies the discovery rule to contract claims where the injury was inherently undiscoverable. Section 13-215 tolls SOL for fraudulent concealment.

8. Tolling

735 ILCS 5/13-211 tolls SOL for minority and legal disability. SCRA tolls for active military service.

9. Contractual Modification of SOL

Illinois permits reasonable contractual shortening of SOL. Extensions are generally unenforceable unless made after accrual.

10. Borrowing Statute

735 ILCS 5/13-210 borrows the shorter SOL when the cause of action arose in another state, particularly against a non-resident defendant.

This is legal information, not legal advice.