An Illinois Small Claims Complaint is a legal document filed in a court of law that requests money damages up to $10,000. It is filed in a Circuit Court, an Associate Circuit Court, or a County Division of the Circuit Court in the state of Illinois. The complaint is used when an individual or business wishes to resolve a dispute with another individual or business. There are two types of Illinois Small Claims Complaint: an Original Complaint and a Counterclaim. An Original Complaint is used when an individual or business wishes to initiate a lawsuit against another individual or business. The Counterclaim is used when the defendant in an Original Complaint wishes to file a legal response to the lawsuit. Both Complaints must be filed according to the rules of the court in which the case is being heard.