Do this today
- Keep the original. Photograph every page, including envelopes and posting.
- Write the date, time, and how it arrived.
- Look for a court name, case number, or appearance date — that is court papers.
- 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 the same as being evicted?
No. In Illinois, as in most states, a written landlord notice is a step, not a judgment. A court case, then an order carried out by a sheriff or similar officer, is generally what completes an eviction. Illinois tenancy and eviction-related statutes is where Illinois sets what the notice must say and how long it runs. We do not print that number here.
What generally happens next?
The sequence is broadly similar: written notice, then a court filing if the landlord proceeds, then a tenant response, a hearing, a judgment, and — only after an order — a law-enforcement removal. Names differ. Timing differs. Illinois justice, magistrate, or housing court labels differ. Missing a response deadline commonly leads to a default. That is why court papers are same-day work.
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. Rent withholding, in some states, is a lawful process and in others is grounds for eviction — ask legal aid in Illinois before you skip a payment.
Is Illinois the same as Chicago for renters?
No. Illinois statutes are the statewide floor. Chicago’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (Municipal Code ch. 5-12) covers a large share of Chicago units — and not every unit, and not the suburbs. Cook County suburbs are a different ordinance. Confirm the address.
What court hears an Illinois eviction?
Circuit Court, often in a municipal housing call in Chicago. A notice is a step. A forcible-entry filing is a case. Legal aid the same day.
The Illinois chapter
Illinois tenancy and eviction-related statutes (765 ILCS 705 to 755) is the starting point. We name it. We do not paraphrase a day-count or a dollar cap out of it.
Illinois has a statewide Landlord and Tenant Act, but a large share of Illinois renters are covered by a city ordinance that adds to it. Chicago and several suburbs and counties have their own residential landlord–tenant ordinances.
Chicago has a Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance. Cook County, Evanston and other Illinois municipalities have adopted their own ordinances. Which one applies depends on the address and sometimes on the size or type of the building.
Official sources
- StatuteIllinois Landlord and Tenant Act (765 ILCS 705)Illinois General Assembly, the state's official statute publisher.
- Free legal helpIllinois Legal Aid Online — Landlord-tenant lawsStatewide legal-aid guides, including which local ordinance covers an address.
- Statute indexCornell LII landlord-tenant table765 ILCS 705 to 755
- FederalHUD — Illinois
- Free legal helpLawHelp.org — Illinois
Common questions
Is an eviction notice in Illinois the same as being evicted?
No. A notice is a step a landlord takes before filing. In most places an eviction is completed only through a court case and an order carried out by an officer. Look first for a court name and a case number.
How long does an eviction notice last in Illinois?
That number is in Illinois tenancy and eviction-related statutes, and it depends on the reason for the notice and sometimes on the city and the housing type. This site does not reprint it. Open the chapter or call legal aid with the paper in your hand.
Can my landlord in Illinois change the locks?
In most states a landlord may not carry out a removal personally. If locks have changed, belongings moved, or utilities cut on an occupied unit, treat it as an emergency: legal aid, 211, and in an unsafe situation, 911.
Where is free eviction help in Illinois?
LawHelp.org routes Illinois renters to nonprofit legal aid. Dial 211 for local services. Court self-help desks exist in many courthouses. None of those are behind a sign-up on this site.
Is Illinois the same as Chicago for renters?
No. Illinois statutes are the statewide floor. Chicago’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (Municipal Code ch. 5-12) covers a large share of Chicago units — and not every unit, and not the suburbs. Cook County suburbs are a different ordinance. Confirm the address.
What court hears an Illinois eviction?
Circuit Court, often in a municipal housing call in Chicago. A notice is a step. A forcible-entry filing is a case. Legal aid the same day.
The national eviction notice guide has the full sequence. Open the eviction notice guide
People also ask
Last reviewed 8 September 2026. Legal information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. hello@renterprotection.org