I decided to do a little research for you. The process up there is about the same as here, except there, you would have to file in Pro-Se Court rather than Small Claims Court. I hope this helps!
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As a first step in resolving your consumer dispute, you should notify, in writing, the business and/or individual of the exact nature of your dispute. Your demand letter should request a refund and/or completion of the work within a reasonable time period of at least ten (10) days. Your demand letter (see sample demand letter) should be sent by regular and certified mail, return receipt requested. Please retain a copy of this letter for your own records along with your other important documents.
You may also consider filing your own lawsuit in Pro-Se or Small Claims Court to resolve your dispute in a quick and economical fashion. A lawyer is not required to litigate a claim in Pro-Se or Small Claims Court, and the procedural rules are less formal than in other courts. Pro-Se Court handles claims of $1,500.00 or less, and Small Claims Court specializes in claims of $1,000.00 to $5,000.00. There is fee for filing a complaint in these courts, but the cost of filing may be recovered in a judgment award. The current fee schedule and information about filing an action in Pro Se Court may be found at the website of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Every court district in Cook County maintains a Pro-Se and Small Claims Court.
· Chicago, District #1, (312) 603-5626 and (312) 603-5145
· Skokie, District #2, (847) 470-7250
· Rolling Meadows, District #3, (847) 818-2300
· Maywood, District #4, (708) 865-6045
· Bridgeview, District #5, (708) 974-6511 or (708) 974-6572
· Markham, District #6, (708) 210-4581
There is also some other useful information on the web site as well:
http://www.statesattorney.org/aweb/confbbb.htm
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Here is a link to the Clerk of Circuit Court (Justice of the Peace is what we call it down here):
http://www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org/index.htm
Under filing fees, I found that it will only cost $46.00 for you to file in Pro Se Court, since all that is owed to you is $200.
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Here is a link to the Pro Se Court division:
http://www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.or...o_se_count.htm