Opinion ID: 2242204
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Relief Under Section 2-1401

Text: In light of the fact that defendant also couched his petition in terms of relief pursuant to section 2-1401 of the Code of Civil Procedure, we next address whether the circuit court properly dismissed the claims within that context. Initially, we note that although a section 2-1401 petition is usually characterized as a civil matter, relief under section 2-1401 extends to criminal cases. People v. Haynes, 192 Ill.2d 437, 460-61, 249 Ill.Dec. 779, 737 N.E.2d 169 (2000). We further note that a petition for relief from judgment made pursuant to section 2-1401 must be filed within two years after the entry of the judgment being challenged. 735 ILCS 5/2-1401(c) (West 1998). Petitions filed beyond the two-year period will not generally be considered. People v. Caballero, 179 Ill.2d 205, 210, 227 Ill.Dec. 965, 688 N.E.2d 658 (1997) (and cases cited therein). As we stated in Caballero, [T]he two year limitation mandated by section 2-1401 and its predecessor, section 72 [citation], must be adhered to in the absence of a clear showing that the person seeking relief is under legal disability or duress or the grounds for relief are fraudulently concealed. Crowell v. Bilandic, 81 Ill.2d 422, 427 [44 Ill.Dec. 110, 411 N.E.2d 16] (1980); People v. Berland, 74 Ill.2d 286, 317, [24 Ill.Dec. 508, 385 N.E.2d 649] (1978). Moreover, the fact that a post-judgment motion or an appeal may be pending does not serve to toll the period of limitation. See Sidwell v. Sidwell, 127 Ill.App.3d 169, 174 [82 Ill.Dec. 138, 468 N.E.2d 200] (1984). Caballero, 179 Ill.2d at 211, 227 Ill.Dec. 965, 688 N.E.2d 658. A person may also seek relief beyond the two-year limitation of section 2-1401 where the judgment being challenged is void ( People v. Harvey, 196 Ill.2d 444, 447, 257 Ill.Dec. 98, 753 N.E.2d 293 (2001)) or where the opposing party has waived the limitation period ( People v. Ross, 191 Ill. App.3d 1046, 1053, 139 Ill.Dec. 142, 548 N.E.2d 527 (1989)). Defendant's request for section 2-1401 relief was filed 11 years after the judgment of conviction was entered and sentence imposed in 1988. Defendant does not contend that any of the grounds for tolling the limitations period exist. Nor does he claim that the judgment being challenged is void. Moreover, waiver does not apply because the State raised the issue in its motion to dismiss. For these reasons, we affirm the judgment of the circuit court in this respect.