Do this today
- Keep the paper. Photograph every page.
- Write the date, time, and how it arrived.
- Look for Circuit Court of Cook County — eviction, a case number, or an appearance date.
- If a court is named, call legal aid the same day. Do not guess the deadline.
What were you handed?
| The paper | What it usually is | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord notice | A step before a court case. Not a judgment, and not a lockout. | Date it. Keep the original. Write down how it arrived. Check whether it offers a chance to fix the problem. |
| Court papers | A case has been filed. A court name, case number, or appearance date is running. | Call legal aid the same day. Do not ignore it. Bring the papers and a timeline of how you received them. |
| Lockout or shutoff | Locks changed, belongings moved, or utilities cut on an occupied unit. | Call 211 and legal aid today. In most states a landlord may not do this personally. Police non-emergency can document it. |
Is a notice in Chicago the same as being evicted?
No. A written landlord notice is a step. Circuit Court of Cook County — eviction is where a possession case is heard. Papers that name a court, a case number, or an appearance date mean a case has been filed — that is same-day legal-aid work. The Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance is the Chicago layer. The City has also proposed updates — treat only what the Department of Housing currently publishes as in force.
What should I be careful not to do?
Do not ignore court papers. Do not assume a lockout is lawful because a notice looks official. Do not sign a move-out or cash-for-keys paper you have not read with an advocate. City of Chicago — Department of Housing is not a substitute for legal aid once a case is filed.
Who hears an eviction in Chicago?
Cook County Circuit Court, often in the Municipal Department’s housing calls. A landlord notice is not a judgment. Papers that name a court or a case number mean a case has been filed. Legal aid the same day. The RLTO does not replace that court.
The Chicago layer
The Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance is the Chicago layer. The City has also proposed updates — treat only what the Department of Housing currently publishes as in force.
Illinois tenancy and eviction-related statutes (765 ILCS 705 to 755) is the Illinois floor. We name it. We do not paraphrase a day-count or a dollar cap out of it.
Chicago questions
Can my landlord in Chicago evict me without going to court?
No. Changing locks or shutting off utilities is not how possession is completed. Circuit Court of Cook County — eviction is the court. If the paper names it, call legal aid the same day.
How long does an eviction notice last in Chicago?
That number is in Illinois tenancy and eviction-related statutes, and it can depend on the reason, the housing type, and any local ordinance. This site does not reprint it. Open the chapter or call legal aid with the paper in your hand.
Who hears an eviction in Chicago?
Cook County Circuit Court, often in the Municipal Department’s housing calls. A landlord notice is not a judgment. Papers that name a court or a case number mean a case has been filed. Legal aid the same day. The RLTO does not replace that court.
What number should I call in Chicago?
Danger: 911. Mental-health crisis: 988. City services: 311. Court papers: LawHelp.org the same day. City of Chicago — Department of Housing does not replace legal aid when a case is filed.
National answers on this desk
Last reviewed 8 September 2026. Legal information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. hello@renterprotection.org