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Eviction

In Illinois, only the sheriff can evict someone. The sheriff must have a written order signed by a judge. A landlord cannot change locks, turn off utilities, or try to force a person out.

Eviction laws apply when someone lives in a home by spoken or written agreement. That agreement gives the person tenant's rights. This can include subtenants, friends, adult family members, and other occupants.

Eviction is a court process. A housing provider can file an eviction case to ask a judge for an order to remove a person from a home. The landlord must serve the tenant with a written eviction notice before starting an eviction case for all:

  • Oral (spoken) leases,
  • Cook County properties, and
  • Rentals paid in part by a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV).
Ending a lease and moving with a Housing Choice Voucher
When a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) lease can end and not be renewed, how to move with a voucher, and the different rules that apply to ending a lease in Project-Based Housing.
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Before an eviction case
(27 resources)
Understanding eviction
Learn how eviction works in Illinois.
Guide
Written eviction notices
Get the facts on written eviction notices, including service and what happens if a housing provider accepts rent after giving a notice to a tenant.
FAQ
Negotiate a move-out agreement without going to court
Learn how to make a move-out agreement without going to court.
How-To
Personal service of a written eviction notice
How to do personal service of written eviction notices in Illinois, including preparation, safety tips, proper delivery, and proof of service to comply with state law.
How-To
Substitute service of a written eviction notice
How to legally serve written eviction notices in Illinois using substitute service, including preparation, safety tips, delivery rules, and proof of service.
How-To
Mail an eviction notice
How to serve written eviction notices in Illinois by certified or registered mail, including preparation, mailing steps, delivery rules, and proof of service.
How-To
Post an eviction notice
How to legally post written eviction notices in Illinois on vacant or abandoned units, including preparation, safety, posting rules, and proof of service.
How-To
Ending the lease
Identify the legal requirements for ending leases and explore relevant legal documents.
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Can my landlord restrict guests at my apartment?
This blog explains what rights both tenants and landlords have in private and public housing have in terms of guests visiting the property. It also describes what legal action a landlord may take if their tenant violates guest policy.
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Chicago residential landlord-tenant ordinance or RLTO
Understand the law for landlords and tenants in Chicago, unless the building has 6 or less units and the landlord lives there.
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Paying rent and utilities
Discusses common issues for renters such as roommates, utilities, late fees, working for rent, and rent increases.
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My landlord wants to end my lease to sell the house/apartment building. Can they do that?
An article about tenants' rights when the landlord wants to end the lease.
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Lockouts
Explains when it is legal or illegal for a landlord to change the locks or shut off the utilities in a rental unit or home.
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If I fall behind on rent, then make a small payment to my landlord, can I still be evicted?
Explains tenant-landlord repayment plans. Includes how to draft, how to communicate, and best practices.
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Rights for renters in suburban Cook County as of June 1st, 2021
A blog post that explains the Cook County Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance. Describes the rights tenants have under the law.
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Trouble paying bills basics
How to manage bills, from prioritizing debts to finding useful resources.
Guide
Housing law manual (2023)
This manual for lawyers outlines the case law, regulations, and history relevant to housing, landlord-tenant law, eviction, and people in poverty. It was created by Lawrence Wood, Director of the Housing Practice Group at Legal Aid Chicago and Lecturer in Law at the University of Chicago Law School.
File download
Eviction notices in public housing
Describes the types of notices that can be given and how the notices can be delivered to the tenant.
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Getting a short extension on your lease
You don’t want to tie yourself to your old place for too long, but the new place isn’t ready yet. The best solution for you is to renew your lease as a month-to-month lease at your old place. That’s the minimum tie you can have and the easiest to cut.
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Understanding crime-free and nuisance ordinances for tenants and landlords
Get the facts on how crime-free or nuisance ordinances impact tenants and landlords and when to seek legal help.
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Can my landlord evict me for being an immigrant?
The Immigrant Tenant Protection Act, effective since 8/21/19, protects tenants from being evicted because they are undocumented. It also prohibits landlords from calling ICE on their tenants in order to evict them.
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End lockout letter
A program to help you demand that your landlord let you back into your home. Use this program to create a lockout letter if your landlord illegally locked you out or forced you out of your home.
Easy Form
Section 8 voucher termination hearings - tenants' rights
Describes a tenant's right to a fair hearing after a voucher termination.
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Public housing: refusing to renew a tenant's lease
Your options if a public housing landlord refuses to renew your lease.
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Grievance hearings in public housing evictions
Steps for a tenant in public housing to request a grievance hearing to try and stop the eviction from happening.
How-To
Locked out in Cook County? You can sue your landlord for 2 months' rent.
A law took effect January 28, 2021 that gives tenants in Cook County rights against lockouts.
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Chicago Renters' Rights Videos
Learn about navigating the eviction process as a landlord or tenant, tenants' rights and responsibilities, resources for conflict resolution, and programs that can help.
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During an eviction case
(13 resources)
Going to court for eviction
Learn about eviction cases and understand the legal steps for removing occupants.
Guide
Evict a tenant
This Easy Form helps you make notice and eviction complaint forms to evict a tenant in Illinois.
Easy Form
Common eviction defenses
A tenant can use a defense (legal reason) to ask the judge to throw out an eviction case. Some eviction defenses are listed.
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Emergency rent assistance available in eviction court
Describes a rent payment program for landlords and tenants with an eviction court case.
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Respond to an eviction
This Easy Form helps you respond to an eviction by telling the court and the other parties that you are participating in a court case. It also helps you make an Eviction Answer, Defenses, and Counterclaims form that tells how you respond to what is written in the complaint.
Easy Form
Filing an eviction case
Steps to evict a tenant, from the forms you need to how the court hearing works.
How-To
Renter cannot be found or tenant is avoiding service
If a renter can't be found, there are other ways to give the tenant eviction papers.
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Court forms to settle eviction cases
Use free statewide court forms to resolve eviction cases in ways that help both renters and landlords.
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How to respond to eviction papers
Steps to take to protect your rights after being served with eviction papers.
How-To
Motion to Dismiss - Landlord posted eviction notice on door
Use this form if you were sued for eviction after your landlord posted the eviction notice on your door. It will help you dismiss the case because landlords must either hand-deliver or send the eviction notice via certified mail.
Form download
Evicting tenants who filed for bankruptcy
Information on whether you can evict a tenant who has filed for bankruptcy.
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Fighting eviction from public housing
Describes your options if you are being evicted from public housing.
Guide
Eviction Actions
Manual on statutory indications for eviction actions. 2023 edition
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After an eviction judgment
(6 resources)
Remove eviction from public record
A program to help you ask a judge to remove an eviction court file from the public record so it does not show up in a background check or credit report.
Easy Form
What happens if I have an eviction on my record?
Explains how an eviction on your record can impact your ability to find housing.
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Asking for more time to move out after an eviction
Explains the process for requesting more time to move out when an Eviction Order has been entered in your case.
How-To
Extend time of eviction
This Easy Form helps you make forms to ask the court for more time in your rental unit after being evicted.
Easy Form
Moving out after a judge orders an eviction
Explains how much time you will have to move out after a judge orders your eviction.
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What if I don't move out by the date ordered by the court?
Get the facts on what happens if a tenant doesn't move out by the eviction date ordered by a judge.
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Other eviction issues
(4 resources)
Building sold to a new landlord
Describes the responsibilities of landlords when buildings are sold
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Foreclosure for tenants
Learn what changes and what stays the same for tenants when a rental building is in foreclosure.
FAQ
Collecting assessments from delinquent condo owners
Explains procedures a condominium association may use to get unpaid HOA payments from owners who refuse to pay.
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Eviction in a mobile home park
Explains when a park owner can evict a tenant in a mobile home park.
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