The Eviction Process in Illinois

Nothing can be more frustrating than a tenant who does not pay their rent. Promises to pay in the near future are often broken. Sometimes the landlord is forced to accept partial payments with the hope that the tenant will get current sometime in the near future. Our law firm tells all our landlord clients that bad tenants rarely get better. When problems arise, it is best to get the eviction process started as soon as possible since removing a delinquent tenant will take a minimum of 6 weeks and often longer. Strict statutory guidelines must be filed or you could be forced to start the eviction process over. The process begins with giving the tenant notice and/or an opportunity to cure the delinquency. The type of notice depends on the type of lease (written or oral) and service of the notice must be proper. Mere hanging of the notice on a door or slipping it under a door often is not enough. If the tenant still does not pay after receiving notice, then a court case must be filed and served on the tenant. Court can be an intimidating place and it is best to have a lawyer with you throughout the process. A landlord should never engage in self help by removing the tenant without proper legal procedures. If you have a tenant who is not paying their rent, do not hesitate to contact us for assistance.