OK I'm going to start this thread off with Illinois Exemptions. For those not in the legal realm these are the limits the State puts on collections...what a collector or judgment holder CANNOT touch:
Personal Property Exemptions
For each family member, necessary clothing, a Bible, school books, and family pictures
$4,000 worth of property, including money in a bank account <--This is a biggie as it stops account freezes.
One motor vehicle in which your interest does not exceed $2,400
$1,500 worth of implements, professional books or tools of your trade
Health aids prescribed by a physician
Money from the sale of exempt property. HOWEVER, the property is not exempt if you purchase property with the intent of converting non-exempt property into exempt property or with the intent to defraud creditors.
Homestead Exemption
$15,000 of equity in a house, mobile home, condominium, building or lot of land occupied as a residence by the debtor is exempt. Each couple who jointly owns a home would have a $30,000 homestead exemption since each could exempt $15,000.
Income Exemption
Public Aid and General Assistance:
**Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled (AABD)
**Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TANF)
**General Assistance (GA)
**Social Security
**Supplemental Security Income
Veteran's Administration Benefits:
**All V.A. benefits are exempt, except benefits subject to specific claims by the United States government.
Worker's Compensation
Black Lung Benefits
Unemployment Compensation
Alimony, Support and Maintenance:
**Alimony, support, and maintenance are exempt to the extent they are reasonably necessary for your support and the support of your dependents.
Pension:
**With some exceptions, pensions are exempt to the extent they are reasonably necessary for your support and the support of your dependents
Crime Victim’s Award payments
Wrongful Death Award or Life Insurance payments of a person on whom you are dependent to the extent reasonably necessary for your support
Payment of up to $7,500 for personal injury to you or your dependent.
At Least 85% of Gross Weekly Wages
**Your wages cannot be garnished unless your take home pay after taxes is more than $292.50 per week (45 times the minimum wage). If your take home pay is more than $292.50, the most that can be garnished is 15% of your weekly gross pay.
If you've found Exemption lists for your State and it's not listed here, feel free to add it.