Arbitration
Mandatory Arbitration
A civil action is subject to mandatory arbitration if each claim is exclusively for money damages in an amount exceeding $10,000.00 but not exceeding the maximum limit of $50,000.00 (exclusive of interest and costs) set in McHenry County Local Rule 17.02(c). Small Claims suits in which a jury demand is filed are also subject to the Arbitration process, as well as cases that are transferred to Arbitration from other divisions.
Arbitration Hearings are similar to court proceedings: parties present their arguments and evidence to a panel of three attorneys serving as Arbitrators; the Arbitrators deliberate; and then the Arbitrators deliver a non-binding decision, called an Award, which can be rejected by any party who has participated in the Hearing in good faith. There is a fee to file a Rejection of Award and request a trial, $200.00 for awards of $30,000 or less, or $500.00 for awards of $30,000.01 or more.
Arbitration Hearing Location
Arbitration Hearings are held across the street from the Judicial Center, at the Arbitration office located at 400 Russel Court, Suite 6, Woodstock, IL. Arbitration appearances can also be made remotely by Zoom, no special permission required.
Arbitration Hearing Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4817332833
For more information, please contact the Arbitration Administrator using the contact information below:
22nd Judicial Circuit Mandatory Arbitration Program
Agnes Kretowicz
Arbitration Administrator
22nd Judicial Circuit Mandatory Arbitration Program
400 Russel Court, Suite 6
Woodstock, IL 60098
P: 815/337-0582
F: 815/337-0661
Forms & additional resources
Some forms are available through the Circuit Clerk, such as the Arbitration Summons, Arbitration Subpoena and Notice of Rejection, but other forms such as the Arbitration Complaint and Answer are not. For examples of these forms see the Arbitration Question & Answer Booklet below.