Illinois Pleading Petition / Motion is a set of legal documents used to initiate a legal action in the state of Illinois. It is used to start a civil lawsuit, such as a divorce, personal injury case, or breach of contract. The petition or motion outlines the grounds for the lawsuit, explains the relief sought, and provides facts and evidence to support the claim. It also contains a summons, which is served on the defendant (person or entity being sued) to apprise them of the lawsuit and their legal obligations. There are two main types of Illinois Pleading Petition / Motion: a Complaint and a Motion. A Complaint is the first document filed in a civil lawsuit, and it states the facts, circumstances and legal basis of the lawsuit. It is usually accompanied by a Summons, which notifies the defendant of the lawsuit. A Motion is a request made by a party in the suit, asking the court to take a specific action or give a ruling. Motions can be used for a variety of reasons, such as requesting a continuance, a dismissal, or a change of venue.