(815 ILCS 105/7) (from Ch. 17, par. 605)

Sec. 7. The rights of the lawful holders of promissory notes payable in money and the liability of all parties to or upon said notes shall be the same as that of like parties to inland bills of exchange according to the custom of merchants. Every assignor of every other note, bond, bill or other instrument in writing mentioned in Section III of this act shall be liable to the action of the assignee or lawful holder thereof, if such assignee or lawful holder shall have used due diligence by the institution and prosecution of a suit against the maker thereof, for the recovery of the money or property due thereon, or damages in lieu thereof. But if the institution of such suit would have been unavailing, or the maker had absconded or resided without or had left the state when such instrument became due, such assignee or holder may recover against the assignor as if due diligence by suit had been used.

(Source: Laws 1895, p. 262.)