Does the defense have to answer my request for production?

Absolutely. Per Illinois discovery rules all parties are required to respond/answer discovery requests including interrogatories , 213 interrogatories,  request to produce and request to admit . If not timely answered it is a condition precedent that a 201k per Illinois Supreme Court Rules that interrogatories/ request to produce be submitted to opposing party in effort to to resolve any differences prior to filing a motion to compel the the court.  In regard to to a Request to Admit please note it is imperative the same be answered within 28 days or else deemed admit. I suggest you review the Illinois  Rules on Discovery in there entirety to fully understand and comprehend the same. This comment in no means or manner should operate as a substitute for understanding nor otherwise interpretation of the same.