Terms Used In Illinois Compiled Statutes 735 ILCS 5/6-117

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
     Under a general denial which alleges generally that the defendant is not guilty of unlawfully withholding the premises claimed by the plaintiff, the defendant may offer in evidence any matter that may tend to defeat the plaintiff’s action, except that it shall not put in issue the possession of the premises by the defendant or that he or she claims title or interest in the premises.