A judgment lien enables a creditor to compel the selling of a debtor's property. The proceeds from the property sale are then used to satisfy the judgment.To secure a judgment lien against personal property, the creditor usually files a notice of judgment lien with the Secretary of State where the debtor lives. A judgment lien allows a creditor to collect a judgment through the sale of the debtor's real estate. Call our Chicago, IL debt collection lawyer if you need help securing a judgment enforcement. Schedule a consultation today. 312-704-0771. You can't pay bills with a judgment: How to turn a court victory into a judgment lien, and use it to collect from your customer's property. An Illinois lien search involves probing public records relating to a property to determine if there are any claims against it. Examine the Personal Information Affidavit to determine if the judgment or lien actually applies. If you are filing a lien on a property, it must be filed in the county in which the property is located.