House & Apartment

The eviction judge can throw out an eviction case if the notice hasn't been filled out correctly and served according to the law. For help figuring out notice requirements, contact:

• Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (CCLAHD) at (855) 956-5763 if the unit is in Cook County, or
• Eviction Help Illinois (EHI) at (855) 631-0811 if the unit is anywhere in Illinois outside of Cook County.

When you're ready to proceed, first make a copy of the completed and signed notice. The notice doesn't need to be notarized, and the tenant A person who rents a space doesn't have to sign. If you need to ask a judge to order the sheriff A county officer who can serve people with summons. They can evict someone with a court order. to evict the tenants, you must file a copy of the notice and the affidavit of service A written statement signed under oath. It describes where, when, and how a person received court documents. (Step 2) along with an Eviction Complaint A written statement to start a lawsuit that says what the defendant did .

Next, the notice must be:

• Personally handed to the tenant (personal service),
• Handed to someone 13 or older who lives with the tenant (substitute service),
• Mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt Proof of delivery with the recipient's signature, and the date and time of delivery requested, or
• Only when nobody is living in the unit, by posting it on the door.

After the tenant A person who rents a space is served, you must complete the Proof of Service A form that explains how court papers were given to someone in a court case  and sign it. The Proof of Service tells the court how and when the notice was delivered. When you file your lawsuit in court, you will need a copy of the notice with the completed Proof of Service. The notice and Proof of Service don't have to be notarized, and the tenant doesn't have to sign to show receipt.

If your tenant doesn't follow the instructions in the notice or move out when the notice period ends, you can file a case to evict the tenant.

Do not file your case before the notice period is up. If you file early, the tenant can have the court case dismissed Cases dismissed with no further action anticipated. .