Articles in this section

Illinois Eviction Information for Landlords and Tenants

Last updated

EFileIL will be used if you are electronically submitting forms to your local court. EFileIL does not create any forms. Any forms that you intend on sending to the court must be saved as a PDF file on your Desktop or Laptop computer. EFileIL's function is the electronic delivery of those documents to the court clerk. 

Information about evictions and resources to find forms can be found below:

A landlord can evict a tenant if the tenant:

  • Fails to pay the rent;
  • Breaks any of the rules in the lease agreement;
  • Damages the property;
  • Does not leave the property after the lease comes to an end; or
  • Does not have a written lease, but pays rent monthly, and the landlord gives a notice to move.

A landlord cannot evict a tenant for:

  • Complaining about the unit or building that a building inspector determines is valid;
  • Not paying rent, if the tenant left the property for a period of time because of domestic violence or the threat of domestic violence;
  • Not paying rent, if the landlord accepted the rent due before the notice period ended; or
  • Race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, religion, familial status (that is, being pregnant or having children under the age of 18), unfavorable discharge from the military, military status, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or being a protected party under an order of protection.

 

For additional information:

  1. Understanding eviction as a tenant: https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/understanding-eviction-tenant
  2. Evicting a tenant: https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/evicting-tenant-0
  3. Housing issues during the Covid-19 pandemic: https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/housing-coronavirus-and-law

There is a statewide rental assistance program that is administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) but applicants must be referred to the program by a community partner. A list of community partners broken down by geography (region then county) can be found at: dhs.illinois.gov/housinghelp.

Additionally, statewide legal aid and mediation services (depending on availability and eligibility) may be accessed at: https://evictionhelpillinois.org/ or by calling 855-631-0811 or texting 844-938-4280.

 

Helpful links when using eFileIL: