How to Utilize the Debtor’s Employer to Collect Payment

In Illinois, once you have a judgment against a debtor, you can collect by garnishing their wages through their employer. The employer is legally required to withhold a portion of the debtor’s paycheck and send it directly to you until the judgment is paid (or the debtor leaves the job). It’s steady, reliable, but usually smaller payments over time compared to a bank account freeze.

This is done by issuing a Wage Deduction Citation — a specific type of Citation to Discover Assets directed at an employer instead of a bank.

When served properly:

● The employer withholds a portion of the debtor’s paycheck.

● Those funds are sent to you or the court to satisfy the judgment.

● The process continues until the judgment is paid in full, or the debtor leaves the job.

This is often the most reliable method of collecting if the debtor is employed. A wage garnishment is slower and yields smaller amounts compared to a bank freeze, but it’s dependable as long as the debtor keeps working. Think of it as a steady drip of repayment, versus the big splash you might get from a bank levy.