Illinois (IL) eviction guide
Quick answer
To evict a tenant in Illinois, serve the correct written notice (as short as 5 days for unpaid rent), then file an Eviction Complaint in the Circuit Court of the county where the property sits. If the judge rules in your favor, the court issues an Eviction Order giving the tenant about 14 days to leave; after that the sheriff carries out the lockout. The full process typically takes 3 to 8 weeks from first notice to removal.
| Legal grounds | Nonpayment of rent, lease violation, holdover tenancy, illegal activity |
|---|---|
| Minimum notice | 5 days (nonpayment of rent) |
| Where to file | Circuit Court (county where property is located) |
| Filing fee | $50 to $300 (varies by county and claim amount) |
| Typical timeframe | 3 to 8 weeks |
Used for unpaid rent; tenant must pay in full or vacate within 5 days or the landlord may file suit.
Used for a fixable lease violation; tenant has 10 days to correct the breach or face eviction.
Required to end a month-to-month tenancy with no fault; landlord must give 30 days before filing.
Used when a tenant is involved in illegal activity on the premises; no cure period is required.
| Step | Timeframe | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Serve the Written Notice | Day 1 | Deliver the correct notice in writing, hand-delivered or posted on the door with a mailed copy, and keep proof of service. |
| 2. Wait for the Notice Period to Expire | 5 to 30 days | Do not file in court until the notice period has fully elapsed and the tenant has neither paid nor vacated. |
| 3. File the Eviction Complaint in Circuit Court | 1 to 2 days | File 4 copies of the Eviction Complaint and Summons with the circuit clerk in the county where the property is located and pay the filing fee. |
| 4. Sheriff Serves the Summons on the Tenant | 3 to 7 days | The circuit clerk forwards the summons to the county sheriff, who attempts personal service on the tenant before the court date. |
| 5. Attend the Court Hearing | 7 to 40 days after filing | Present your notice, lease, and payment records; if the tenant does not appear, the judge typically enters a default judgment for the landlord. |
| 6. Enforce the Writ of Possession via Sheriff | About 14 days after judgment | After the judge issues the Eviction Order, take it to the sheriff's office; the sheriff schedules and performs the physical lockout. |
Filing fees range from about $50 to $300 depending on the county and the dollar amount of any money judgment sought; Cook County and collar counties tend to be on the higher end. Add roughly $60 to $100 for sheriff service of the summons and another $100 to $200 for the sheriff's enforcement of the final writ, bringing a typical uncontested eviction to $200 to $600 in court and enforcement costs before any attorney fees.
After the judge signs the Eviction Order, the court issues a Writ of Possession authorizing removal; the landlord takes this to the county sheriff's office within 120 days or it expires. The sheriff schedules the physical lockout, typically within a few days to two weeks. Self-help eviction is illegal in Illinois: a landlord may not change locks, remove doors, or shut off utilities to force a tenant out without a court order.
General information, not legal advice. Governing statute: 735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq. (Forcible Entry and Detainer Act). Self-help eviction is illegal everywhere; always follow the court process.
Illinois eviction FAQ
Most Illinois evictions take **3 to 8 weeks** from the date the notice is served to the date the sheriff completes the lockout. Uncontested cases in less-busy counties can close in under a month; contested cases or those in Cook County often run 6 to 10 weeks or longer.
Court filing fees run roughly **$50 to $300** by county, plus **$60 to $200** for sheriff service and enforcement, so most landlords spend **$200 to $600** in hard costs before attorney fees. Hiring an eviction attorney typically adds **$500 to $1,500** for an uncontested case.
No. Illinois law requires a court judgment before any tenant can be forcibly removed. Self-help evictions, such as changing the locks or removing belongings without a court order, are illegal and can expose the landlord to damages and liability.
The most common grounds are **nonpayment of rent**, a material **lease violation**, **holdover** after the lease expires, and **illegal activity** on the premises. Each ground requires a different written notice before the landlord can file in court.
Yes. A tenant can stop an eviction for nonpayment by paying all overdue rent within the **5-day notice period**. They can also raise defenses in court, including improper notice, landlord retaliation, habitability issues, or discrimination, any of which can delay or defeat the eviction.
Revun screens tenants, automates rent reminders, and logs every notice, so fewer tenancies ever reach court.
