Roommate withholding deposit return

[rmsward12]

Last year I lived in an apartment with three other girls. We each paid a deposit of 440 dollars. The roommate who was supposed to get our deposit back got it three weeks ago. We were deducted 400 dollars for cleaning but the girl tried to deduct an additional 60 dollars from me because she thought everyone should pay her for using the kitchen equipment that she bought. When I disagreed with her and told her I expected my fair share of the return, she discontinued contact with me. I was in contact with my two other roommates and they both received checks from her for their fair amount. I have been doing research and think I can file a small claim against her, since she should owe me around 215 dollars, but I'm not sure if it is worth it or how to proceed. Any advice?

 

[Gail_in_Georgia]

Not sure where you got the $216 from the extra $60 she wanted to keep but attached is some information on how to file in Illinois:

http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/smlclaims.html

Gail

 

[rmsward12]

sorry I didn't specify. 216 is the amount after cleaning fees and a lock change fee. She wanted to subtract an additional 60 from that. thanks for your help!