Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Illinois

Re: filing a civil lawsuit

Yes, it is considered a civil suit and one for "small claims court" at that. You would go to the county courthouse for the county in which you live -- in Cook County, the courthouse is the Daley Center; in Lake County, the courthouse is in Waukegan; in DuPage County, the courthouse is in Wheaton; etc. -- and obtain a form, called a complaint, to file suit against your former roommate in small claims court.

The court clerk will help you fill it out and you will need to mail it to your roommate via certified mail. You will then appear in court on a specified date which will be provided to you, and you will tell your side of the story to the judge. If the judge believes you, the judge will award you the amount of money you lost.

Good luck