Civil Practice Basics Series - Part 2: Affirmative Defenses in Illinois

ISBA Members: Use your 15 hours of Free CLE credits to order this program –
just use the green button next to the “Add to Cart” button below!
Presented by the ISBA Civil Practice and Procedure Section and the ISBA Young Lawyers Division


1.0 hours MCLE credit


Original Program Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Accreditation Expiration Date: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­June 13, 2026 (You must certify completion and save your certificate before this date to get MCLE credit)


Affirmative defenses in Illinois vary depending on the area of the law. Join us for Part 2 of this series in which we cover some case law examples of valid affirmative defenses recognized in Illinois (generally) and in contract law and tort law (specifically). Topics include:
  • The pleading requirements to assert a valid affirmative defense in Illinois, including pleading “affirmative matter”;
  • Sections of the Code of Civil Procedure that apply to pleading a valid affirmative defense;
  • The requirement in Illinois to respond to an affirmative defense; and
  • Understanding the burden-shifting effect of pleading an affirmative defense.

Program Coordinators:
Cathy A. Pilkington, The Law Offices of Cathy A. Pilkington, Chicago
Joseph A. Souligne, Webber & Thies, P.C., Urbana

Program Chat Moderator:
Joseph A. Souligne, Webber & Thies, P.C., Urbana

Program Speaker:
Cathy A. Pilkington, The Law Offices of Cathy A. Pilkington, Chicago


Pricing Information

  • Please Note: You must attend the entire program in order to earn MCLE credit for this seminar.
  • ISBA sponsoring section members get a $10 registration discount (which is automatically calculated in your cart when you log in to register).
  • Fees:
    • ISBA Member Price of $35 is displayed below when you login and program is eligible for Free CLE member benefit.
    • Non-Member Price $70
    • New Attorney Member (within the first five years of practice) - $25
    • Law Students – Free