Illinois Supreme Court-Approved Instructions, How to File and Present an Eviction Case

someone charges a service fee. Contact your Circuit Clerk
with an oral or written lease. An occupant is and sheriff to ask what filing an eviction case costs
someone who does not have an oral or written in your county.
lease, but lives in the property (includes squatters o If you cannot afford to pay the filing fee, you can ask
and trespassers). the court to file for free or at a reduced cost by filing
o The Plaintiff files an eviction case to make the the Application for Waiver of Court Fees found at
Defendants move out. The Plaintiff can also ask for ilcourts.info/forms.
unpaid rent.
When can I start the eviction process?
How do I evict someone living on my property? You may start an eviction case in any of these
o There is only one way to evict a tenant or an circumstances:
occupant who does not agree to leave. o Your tenant owes rent;
o You must file an eviction case, win the case, get an o Your tenant’s lease is about to expire and you do not
eviction order, and ask the sheriff to enforce this want to renew it;
order by performing an eviction. o Your tenant has violated the terms of the lease;
o NOTE: Trying to evict a person without a court order o Your tenant has no written lease and you would like
is AGAINST THE LAW! You may not change locks, them to move; OR
turn off utilities, or take any other action on your own o An occupant is living on the property and they refuse
to try to force a person to move. to leave.
Who should use these forms? What are the steps in the eviction process?
o These forms can help landlords or property owners o Step 1: Serve the Defendants with written notice.
who do not have a lawyer to file an eviction case. Do
o Step 2: Fill out and file an Eviction Complaint and
not try to file an eviction case until you have read
Eviction Summons.