Illinois supersedeas practice is governed by Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 305 and 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/2-1305. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 305 makes supersedeas discretionary on motion to the trial court. We write Illinois appeal bonds in the Illinois Appellate Court, the Illinois Supreme Court, and the U.S. District Courts (C.D. Ill., N.D. Ill., S.D. Ill.).
A Illinois judgment carries immediate collection consequences. Without a supersedeas bond, the prevailing party can begin enforcement the day the judgment is entered — garnishments, abstracts of judgment, executions on personal property. Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 305 governs the procedure for staying execution by surety bond; 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/2-1305 provides the statutory framework.
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 305 makes supersedeas discretionary on motion to the trial court.
The bond is the three-party agreement standard to all surety practice: the appellant as principal, the appellee as obligee, and Surety One as the surety standing behind the promise with real capital. Filing is with the trial court clerk that entered the judgment; the bond stays execution by operation of Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 305 once approved.
Two bodies of authority govern Illinois supersedeas practice: Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 305 for the procedural framework, and 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/2-1305 for the substantive bond requirements. We underwrite each bond to satisfy both.
Illinois supersedeas bonds are collateral-typical. Full collateral equal to the bond amount is the standard requirement, accepted in three forms: cash held in escrow by Surety One, an irrevocable letter of credit from a federally insured bank, or U.S. Treasury securities pledged with an CUSIP custody arrangement. We do not accept real estate as collateral.
Non-collateralized Illinois supersedeas bonds are available through our non-standard program for applicants with substantial unencumbered net worth and strong liquid position. Audited financials, three years of tax returns, personal financial statements for principals, and confirmation of no pending claims are required for non-collateralized placement.
Filing is with the trial court clerk in the county where the judgment was entered. We deliver bonds in PDF for same-day filing; most Illinois courts accept e-filed bonds through their statewide e-filing systems.
Three documents start every file: the final judgment, the notice of appeal, and a financial statement appropriate to the bond size. Our underwriting desk responds within four business hours; same-day issuance is standard for qualified, collateralized files.
Send the judgment and notice of appeal. Our underwriters open the file and respond immediately, 7/52/365.