Chicago Eviction Process 2026: Complete Landlord Guide
The Chicago eviction process has specific notice requirements, Cook County court procedures, and RLTO rules that differ from the rest of Illinois. Here is the complete step-by-step guide.
Self-help evictions are illegal in Illinois. Changing locks, removing a tenant's belongings, or shutting off utilities without a court order is a criminal offense. Only the Cook County Sheriff may physically remove a tenant. Landlords who attempt self-help evictions face significant civil liability.
Chicago Eviction Notice Requirements
| Reason for Eviction | Notice Required | Tenant's Right to Cure |
|---|---|---|
| Non-payment of rent | 5-Day Pay-or-Quit | Yes — pay in full within 5 days |
| Curable lease violation | 10-Day Notice to Cure or Quit | Yes — fix the violation within 10 days |
| Incurable violation (criminal activity, intentional damage) | 10-Day Notice to Vacate | No |
| Month-to-month tenancy termination | 30-Day Notice | No |
| Fixed-term lease non-renewal (Chicago RLTO) | 30-Day Notice before lease end | No |
| Holdover after lease expiration | No additional notice required | No |
The Chicago Eviction Process: 8 Steps
Determine the Correct Notice Type
Non-payment of rent: 5-day pay-or-quit notice. Curable lease violation: 10-day notice to cure or quit. Incurable violation: 10-day notice to vacate. Month-to-month termination: 30-day notice. End of fixed-term lease (Chicago): 30-day notice of non-renewal.
Serve the Written Notice Properly
Deliver the notice in person to the tenant, or post it on the main entry door AND mail a copy to the tenant. Keep a copy with proof of service. The notice must state the specific amount owed (for non-payment) or the specific violation, and the deadline to cure or vacate.
Wait for the Notice Period to Expire
Do not file an eviction complaint until the notice period has fully expired. If the tenant pays in full during a 5-day notice period, the eviction process stops. If the tenant cures a lease violation during a 10-day period, the eviction process stops.
File an Eviction Complaint in Cook County Circuit Court
File the Forcible Entry and Detainer complaint at the Richard J. Daley Center (50 W. Washington St., Chicago). Pay the filing fee ($250–$400 depending on the claim amount). The court will assign a hearing date, typically 3–6 weeks out.
Serve the Summons on the Tenant
The court will issue a summons that must be served on the tenant by the Cook County Sheriff or a private process server. The tenant must be served at least 3 days before the hearing date.
Attend the Court Hearing
Appear at the scheduled hearing with all documentation: the lease, the notice, proof of service, and evidence of the violation (unpaid rent ledger, photos, etc.). If the tenant does not appear, the judge may enter a default judgment in the landlord's favor.
Obtain a Judgment for Possession
If the court rules in the landlord's favor, a judgment for possession is entered. The tenant typically has a short period (often 7–14 days) to vacate voluntarily before the landlord can request a writ of possession.
Request and Execute the Writ of Possession
If the tenant does not vacate, file a motion for a writ of possession. The Cook County Sheriff will schedule the lockout, typically 2–4 weeks after the writ is issued. Only the Sheriff may physically remove the tenant and their belongings.
Common Tenant Defenses to Eviction in Chicago
Defective notice
The notice was not served properly, contained errors in the amount owed, or did not comply with RLTO requirements.
Habitability defense
The landlord failed to maintain the unit in habitable condition, and the tenant withheld rent as permitted by the RLTO.
Retaliatory eviction
The eviction was filed in response to the tenant complaining about habitability, contacting a government agency, or exercising other legal rights.
Acceptance of rent after notice
The landlord accepted rent after serving the eviction notice, which may waive the right to proceed with the eviction.
Discrimination
The eviction was based on a protected characteristic (race, national origin, disability, source of income, etc.).
Lease expiration defense
The landlord failed to provide the required 30-day notice of non-renewal under the Chicago RLTO.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prevent Evictions with Professional Tenant Screening
The best eviction is the one you never have to file. Altus Property Partners uses rigorous tenant screening to place qualified tenants and handles all lease compliance, so evictions are rare.