Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Illinois

I'm sorry, but you did not provide enough information so that an answer could be provided. Want to try again?

I am guessing that you were sued, you did not show up, a default judgment was entered against you, and that default judgment included court costs and attorneys fees. Since you mention section 8, I would also guess this is an eviction matter. If those guesses are correct, your lease probably had a paragraph which required you to pay your landlord's attorneys fees and court costs if you were evicted. Those attorneys fees and court costs were not YOUR attorneys fees and court costs, but the landlord's attorneys fees and court costs that the landlord had to pay to evict you. And if I guessed wrong, you might want to restate your question.

Every form of lease I've ever seen - Section 8 or not - has a provision that will require you to pay court costs and attorney fees of the landlord if your landlord sues you and the landlord wins regardless whether you ever go to court. Not going may have kept those fees and costs to a minimum, and if you would have lost anyway lessened the amount you'll owe and the amount of INTEREST that may be running against you. If you would have won, however, it may be too late for you to go back to court and get everything undone. You need to bring your lease and whatever court papers you have to a lawyer with all the facts. If you live in Cook County there are attorneys at the Daley Center and some outlying districts whom you might be able to talk to for free.