An Illinois Answer/Response to Complaint/Petition is a legal document filed by a defendant in response to a civil complaint or petition filed against them. In the Answer/Response, the defendant must admit or deny each allegation of the complaint/petition, and can also raise any applicable affirmative defenses. Typically, the Answer/Response is the first document filed in court by a defendant in a civil action. The two main types of Illinois Answer/Response to Complaint/Petition are a General Denial and a Specific Denial. In a General Denial, the defendant denies all allegations of the complaint/petition without providing specific facts or reasons. In a Specific Denial, the defendant denies each allegation individually, and can provide specific facts or reasons for the denial. The Answer/Response must be filed within the time allotted by the court, or a default judgment may be entered against the defendant. It is important to note that an Answer/Response does not constitute an admission of guilt, and is merely a formal response to the allegations of the complaint/petition.