This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

Illinois — Statute of Limitations

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1 year

Statute of limitations for libel

735 ILCS 5/13-202

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Libel Statute Of Limitations in Illinois

Under Illinois law, 735 ILCS 5/13-202 governs the statute of limitations for libel claims. This statute establishes a two-year period within which a plaintiff must bring a defamation action based on written or published statements. The limitation period generally begins to run from the date the allegedly defamatory material was first published or communicated to a third party. The official source for this rule, available through the Illinois General Assembly, contains the precise statutory language and any applicable exceptions or tolling provisions. The verified figure of two years is applied in the worked example below, which demonstrates how the statute calculates the filing deadline. To estimate the deadline for a specific set of facts, users should consult the DocketMath calculator.

Governing authority

In Illinois, the statute of limitations rule is set by 735 ILCS 5/13-202. The verified packet cites 735 ILCS 5/13-202 (https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/073500050K13-202.htm).

Deadline example

For a Illinois libel limitations check, use the verified limitations period from the current rule packet: 2 years. The authority packet cites 735 ILCS 5/13-202 (https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/073500050K13-202.htm).

Example inputs:

• Accrual date: 2024-04-25
• Filing date checked: 2026-04-25

Calculation:

• Start with the accrual date.
• Add 2 years.
• The example deadline is 2026-04-25.

This example is generated from the verified facts packet rather than freeform prose. Confirm tolling, discovery rules, and claim-specific exceptions before relying on the date.

Estimate your own result: every situation has exceptions that can change the outcome. Use the libel statute of limitations calculator to estimate your specific figure.

This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.