2026 Illinois judgment & prejudgment interest rates
Current 2026 snapshot: Illinois post-judgment interest is 9% per year; the recorded prejudgment reference is 6% / 5% per year.
Everything Illinois charges in interest on a money judgment or an overdue debt, in one place — the rate after judgment and the rate before it, each recorded with a cited source and linked to its full page with observations, scope, and known carve-outs.
| Metric | Rate or rule | Effective / reference date | Authority | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post-judgment interest | 9% | July 1, 2021 | 735 ILCS 5/2-1303 | Fixed by statute |
| Prejudgment interest | 6% / 5% | July 9, 2026 | 815 ILCS 205/2; 735 ILCS 5/2-1303(c) | Fixed by statute |
Post-judgment interest
Illinois's post-judgment interest rate is 9% per year. Illinois judgments accrue interest at 9% per year under 735 ILCS 5/2-1303 — a flat statutory rate, simple interest, charged only on the unpaid portion of the judgment. The main exception: judgments against a unit of local government accrue 6%.
→ Full Illinois post-judgment page — 735 ILCS 5/2-1303, effective-date history, scope, and official source.
Prejudgment interest
Illinois's prejudgment interest rate is 6% / 5% per year (fixed by statute). Illinois uses separate authorities rather than one blended rate. Section 2-1303(c) of the Code of Civil Procedure supplies 6% prejudgment interest for qualifying personal-injury and wrongful-death actions. Section 2 of the Interest Act supplies 5% for listed instruments, loans, settled accounts, retained money, and unreasonable-and-vexatious delay. Eligibility and timing differ by branch.
→ Full Illinois prejudgment page — 815 ILCS 205/2; 735 ILCS 5/2-1303(c), when it applies, accrual, compounding, and carve-outs.
Frequently asked
What is the post-judgment interest rate in Illinois?
As of July 1, 2021, the Illinois post-judgment interest rate is 9% per year. Illinois’ 9% statutory judgment rate.
What is the prejudgment interest rate in Illinois?
Illinois's prejudgment interest rate is 6% / 5% per year (fixed by statute). The 6% and 5% figures come from different statutes with different covered claims.
Is Illinois judgment interest simple or compound, and when does it start?
See each rate's page for the exact compounding rule, accrual date, and statutory carve-outs — Illinois prejudgment interest in particular turns on the type of claim.
Cite this page
StatuteRates. “Illinois Judgment & Prejudgment Interest Rates.” StatuteRates.com. Accessed today. https://statuterates.com/states/illinois/ Each rate includes a cited source and an effective or recorded-reference date; confirm the controlling authority before use.
Compare every state on the state interest-rate index and the prejudgment interest index, or enter a confirmed rate in the judgment interest and per-diem calculator. Reference data only — not legal advice.