Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Illinois

Unless you have filed a law suit that is totally without merit, all you would have to pay is court costs. If you file a law suit that has no basis in law, then you might be ordered to pay atty fees. Small claims in IL is not the same as pro se court. I presume you mean pro se court.

You are responsible for court costs and, on the discretion of the judge, may be directed to pay other costs that were necessary to provide a defense to your claims.