Important: Homzora is a housing research publisher, not a law firm, and nothing on this page is legal advice. This article is general information about the law as published by government and court sources at the time of writing, and it may not reflect later changes or the facts of your situation. Reading it does not create an attorney and client relationship. For advice about your situation, contact a licensed attorney or a legal aid organization in your state.
About 54.0 percent of occupied homes in Chicago are rented, since the Census Bureau puts the owner occupied housing rate at 46.0% for 2020 to 2024, and the median gross rent is $1,440 a month (U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Chicago). For the many renters here, knowing how an eviction works under Illinois law can make the difference between losing a home on a missed deadline and keeping it.
This guide walks through each stage of a residential eviction in Chicago: the notice, the court case, chances to pay and stay, appeals, and removal. It also explains why a landlord cannot lock you out on its own, and where to get free help. Deadlines in eviction cases are short, so if you have received a notice or court papers, contact a lawyer or legal aid office now.
Quick answers
- Nonpayment notice: at least 5 days after service (735 ILCS 5/9-209).
- Lease violation notice: 10 days (735 ILCS 5/9-210).
- Enforcement: only the Cook County Sheriff can carry out the eviction (Cook County Sheriff, Eviction procedure guide).
- Free help: Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt, 855.956.5763 (Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt).
The eviction timeline in Chicago
| Stage | Timing | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 5 day notice for unpaid rent | At least 5 days after service | 735 ILCS 5/9-209 |
| 10 day notice for lease violations | 10 days | 735 ILCS 5/9-210 |
| First court date | Listed on the summons; currently by Zoom or phone | Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, A Guide to Eviction and ERP |
| Order filed with the Sheriff | After any court ordered stay ends | Cook County Sheriff, Eviction procedure guide |
| Sheriff enforcement | As soon as 24 hours after the order is filed | Cook County Sheriff, Eviction procedure guide |
These are minimum periods in the law. Court schedules, continuances, and appeals often make the real process longer, and a case can move faster if a tenant misses a deadline.
The notice
For unpaid rent, an Illinois landlord must give a written demand with a deadline at least 5 days after service. The notice must state that only full payment of the rent demanded will waive the landlord’s right to terminate, and partial payment does not waive the notice unless the landlord agrees in writing (735 ILCS 5/9-209). For other lease violations, the notice is 10 days (735 ILCS 5/9-210). A tenancy of less than one year, other than week to week, can be ended with 30 days’ written notice (735 ILCS 5/9-207).
Chicago’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance adds a Fair Notice rule: notice to terminate, not renew, or raise rent must be 30 days if you have lived there less than 6 months, 60 days for 6 months to 3 years, and 120 days for more than 3 years (City of Chicago, RLTO Summary). Violation notices under the ordinance must tell you that you have 10 days to remedy the breach (City of Chicago, RLTO Summary).
The court case
In Cook County, the summons and complaint are served by the Sheriff or a special process server, and the summons lists your court date. First court dates are currently held on Zoom or by phone, and unrepresented parties are referred to the Early Resolution Program, which can connect you with free legal help, mediation, and rental assistance (Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, A Guide to Eviction and ERP). The Illinois courts publish answer and defense forms, including a retaliation defense form, and information about sealing eviction records (Illinois Courts, Eviction).
Paying to stop the case in Chicago
Under the Chicago ordinance, a tenant who received a 5 day notice can pay all back rent plus the landlord’s court filing fees before a judge issues an eviction order. This is a one time right; after a second nonpayment notice, you have only the 5 day notice period to pay. A landlord who accepts late rent may not evict for that nonpayment (City of Chicago, RLTO Summary).
Enforcement
Only the Sheriff can carry out an eviction in Cook County. Enforcement can occur as soon as 24 hours after the order is filed with the Sheriff’s Eviction Office, which happens only after any court ordered stay has ended. The Sheriff mails a letter, which its guide calls the only notification, and does not move belongings (Cook County Sheriff, Eviction procedure guide). An eviction order may not be enforced more than 120 days after it is entered unless extended (735 ILCS 5/9-117).
Lockouts
Under the Chicago ordinance, it is illegal for a landlord to lock you out, change the locks, or remove doors. The landlord can be fined $200 to $500 for each day, and you can recover possession plus the greater of twice your actual damages or two months’ rent (City of Chicago, RLTO summary (lockouts)). The city advises renters to call 311 for a lockout (City of Chicago, Renting Right booklet).
A pending change
Chicago does not currently have a just cause eviction ordinance. The proposed Protecting Renters Ordinance would add just cause and a right to counsel; full City Council action was deferred in September 2026 (Chicago City Council, Protecting Renters Ordinance (O2026-0026554)). Check its status before relying on current rules.
Free help in Chicago
Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt offers free help regardless of income at 855.956.5763 (Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt). For rental assistance, call 211 (211.org).
Fair housing
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in rental terms because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, or disability (42 U.S.C. § 3604). HUD accepts complaints (HUD, File a Complaint).
What to do the day you get a notice
- Read the notice and write down the deadline, the amount claimed, and the reason given.
- Check the amount against your own records, and gather receipts or bank statements for every payment.
- Contact a legal aid office or tenant hotline right away, before the deadline passes.
- If you can pay, pay in a way that creates a record, and ask for a written receipt.
- If you need rental assistance, call 211 and ask about emergency rent programs.
- Do not move out or stop paying future rent without advice; either can hurt your case.
Preparing for your hearing
- Arrive early or log in early, and bring photo identification.
- Bring your lease, the notice, your payment records, and photos of any repair problems.
- Bring copies of every message with your landlord, organized by date.
- Write a short timeline of what happened so you can explain it clearly.
- Ask the court about mediation, interpreters, or a self help center if you need them.
Missing a hearing usually leads to a default judgment, so contact the court in advance if you have an emergency.
Talking with your landlord
Many evictions end in an agreement rather than a judgment. If you can catch up on rent over time, propose a specific payment plan in writing. If you plan to move, ask for a written agreement that sets a move out date, says how the deposit will be handled, and says whether the landlord will dismiss the case. Never rely on a verbal promise, and read any court agreement carefully before you sign it.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Ignoring court papers. The case keeps moving whether or not you respond.
- Missing the response deadline. Deadlines in eviction cases are short and strict.
- Paying in cash without a receipt. You may need to prove every payment.
- Leaving belongings behind. Ask how long you have to collect them.
- Assuming a lockout is legal. A landlord generally needs a court process to remove a tenant; see the lockout section above.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an eviction take in Chicago?
The notice is 5 days for rent, and after a court order the Sheriff can enforce as soon as 24 hours after the order is filed, once any stay ends (735 ILCS 5/9-209; Cook County Sheriff, Eviction procedure guide).
Can I stop the eviction by paying?
In Chicago, once, by paying all back rent and filing fees before an eviction order (City of Chicago, RLTO Summary).
Can I get free legal help?
Yes. Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt helps regardless of income at 855.956.5763 (Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt).
Legal notice
Homzora is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Laws, court rules, and local programs change, and how they apply depends on your facts. Before you act on anything in this article, confirm the current rules with the court, a licensed attorney, or a legal aid organization.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Chicago
- 735 ILCS 5/9-209
- 735 ILCS 5/9-210
- Cook County Sheriff, Eviction procedure guide
- Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt
- Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, A Guide to Eviction and ERP
- 735 ILCS 5/9-207
- City of Chicago, RLTO Summary
- Illinois Courts, Eviction
- 735 ILCS 5/9-117
- City of Chicago, RLTO summary (lockouts)
- City of Chicago, Renting Right booklet
- Chicago City Council, Protecting Renters Ordinance (O2026-0026554)
- 211.org
- 42 U.S.C. § 3604
- HUD, File a Complaint