Understanding Illinois car repossession laws a comprehensive guide to your rights and available options. Learn more about Illinois' repossession laws, what Illinois repo agents can and cannot do, and what happens after the car is taken away.If you don't make your car payments on time, your lender might have the right to take your car without going to court or telling you first. This complaint will describe the property that is being repossessed. Steps on how to handle a repossessed car from getting your car back to at least get your items out of the car. Credit cards are not legally considered written contracts in Illinois. You have 30 days to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in Illinois, and you must file both an Appearance and Answer document. If you're behind on payments and you don't receive notice within three days of your car being seized, reach out to the lender. Falling behind on car payments affects your credit, and this can make it harder or more expensive to get loans in the future. However, Illinois law does not require a creditor to notify a debtor prior to proceeding with a repossession.