House & Apartment resources

Learn about your housing options in Illinois if you’re homeless or at risk of losing your home. Find help with shelter, temporary housing, and programs for people with disabilities or serious health needs.

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Eviction

Eviction basics

Learn about eviction and understand the legal steps for removing occupants.

Guide

What happens if I don't pay my property taxes?

Explore the risks of not paying property taxes on time and determine when and how property tax debt can be addressed.

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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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Mortgage foreclosure

What happens if I don't pay my property taxes?

Explore the risks of not paying property taxes on time and determine when and how property tax debt can be addressed.

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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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Respond to a mortgage foreclosure complaint

A program to help you complete the forms for an Answer and Appearance, to respond to a Mortgage Foreclosure Complaint.

Easy Form

Can someone use a judicial lien to foreclose on my house?

Explains that houses are usually only foreclosed for unpaid mortgages.

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Fair housing

Reasons why Section 8 vouchers can be taken away

There are many reasons why your section 8 housing voucher may be taken away. This article lists why you may lose your rental assistance and potential solutions.

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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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Rights of LGBTQIA+ people in Illinois

An overview of LGBTQIA+ rights in areas such as employment, housing, education, and family.

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Housing discrimination basics

Defines and describes housing discrimination and how to fight against it.

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Housing assistance and public housing

Reasons why Section 8 vouchers can be taken away

There are many reasons why your section 8 housing voucher may be taken away. This article lists why you may lose your rental assistance and potential solutions.

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Re-entry resources for prisoners and former prisoners

Resources for recently released individuals returning from prison, including organizations that offer housing, education, employment, and other services for people with criminal records.

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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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Housing programs for minors and people with disabilities

Information for minors and persons with disabilities about federal housing programs for independent living.

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Utilities and utility assistance

How to prevent a shut off by the utility company

Explains situations, days, and hours in which a utility company cannot shut off service including holidays.

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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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The low income household water assistance program (LIHWAP)

Learn about how low-income households can get help paying for their water and wastewater utility bills through the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).

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Legal duties of my landlord

Landlords have responsibilities for the building and units they rent.

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Security deposits and fees

Small claims complaint

A program to help you make the forms to sue someone for up to $10,000. It can be used to sue a landlord for a security deposit.

Easy Form

Getting or returning a security deposit

How security deposits can be used, when they have to be returned, and how a tenant can get theirs back from their landlord.

Guide

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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Building sold to a new landlord

Describes the responsibilities of landlords when buildings are sold

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Rental living conditions

My landlord doesn't make repairs. What should I do?

Includes repair and deduct and withholding rent.

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Ending the lease

Identify the legal requirements for ending leases and explore relevant legal documents.

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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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Reporting building code violations in Chicago

How to report concerns about the interior or exterior of a Chicago building, and the two types of cases that can be made against building owners.

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Mobile homes

Living in a mobile home park

Explains your rights and responsibilities outlined in the Illinois mobile home regulations for mobile home park tenants.

Guide

Getting the title to your mobile home

Steps to get the title of you mobile home including the forms you need and where you should file them.

How-To

Requirements in a mobile home lease

Explains that leases within mobile home parks must be at least 2 years and be given in writing. Here's what you can expect in your agreement to live in the mobile home park.

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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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Homeownership

Owning a home common questions

Answers to common questions about owning a home, including property taxes, insurance, home repairs, and local requirements.

FAQ

Buying a home common questions

Find answers to common questions about buying property, including mortgage financing, inspections, and closing.

FAQ

Real estate fraud basics

Learn about fraud risks in Illinois property deals.

Guide

Dealing with real estate fraud

What Illinois property sellers, buyers, and owners can do when encountering suspected deed fraud (fake seller fraud), wire fraud, or earnest money check fraud.

How-To

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Property associations

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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Condominium law: governance, authority, and controlling documents

Manual on tax considerations, development, management, financing, condominium associations, ordinances, etc. 2024 edition

IICLE

Condominium law: Daily operation challenges

Explore essential legal documents and checklists for condominium financing, liability issues, distressed developments, and association governance. 2024 Edition

IICLE

Housing cooperatives common questions

Get answers to common questions about housing co-ops, including types, ownership, governance, financing, monthly fees, and resale rules.

FAQ

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Evicting a tenant

Written eviction notices

Describes the types of eviction notices that a landlord must provide to evict a tenant. These are also called Notices to Terminate Tenancy.

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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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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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Paying rent

Ending the lease

Identify the legal requirements for ending leases and explore relevant legal documents.

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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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Building sold to a new landlord

Describes the responsibilities of landlords when buildings are sold

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Property taxes

Municipal Law: Financing, Tax, and Municipal Property

Guide to municipal property finance and tax issues. Includes: revenue bonds, sale of municipal obligations, special assessments, tax increment allocation financing, benefits to local areas, and more. 2022 edition

IICLE

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A problem with a past landlord

Eviction basics

Learn about eviction and understand the legal steps for removing occupants.

Guide

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

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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Other house and apartment issues

Ending the lease

Identify the legal requirements for ending leases and explore relevant legal documents.

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Reasons why Section 8 vouchers can be taken away

There are many reasons why your section 8 housing voucher may be taken away. This article lists why you may lose your rental assistance and potential solutions.

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Sample Illinois lease

A sample lease for tenants and landlords that you can use to create your own version.

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House & Apartment

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