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

information/written-eviction-notices.
How do I evict other occupants, squatters, or
o A tenant with a written lease that has expired may
trespassers living in my property?
also be considered to have a month-to-month
o If you are unsure if the occupants have a lease or tenancy if the landlord continues to accept rent. If
not, you need to try to make contact with them to you are not sure, talk with a lawyer.
find out if they have a lease and to get a copy of it if
o You must first serve the tenant with a Notice of Non-
it is in writing.
Renewal of Lease or Termination of Tenancy (also
• If they have an existing lease, you may have to known as a 30-Day Notice). You may terminate a
honor it. month-to-month tenancy with at least 30 days'
o If the people living in your property do not have a advance written notice. Most rental periods run from
lease and you never accepted rent from them or the first of the month to the last day of the month.
agreed to let them stay on your property, you can Therefore, serve your notice at least 30 days before
serve them with a Demand for Immediate the end of the month.
Possession. You can file your Eviction Complaint
immediately after you serve this demand. When can I NOT evict my tenant?
NOTE: Some qualified renters in foreclosed properties o You may not evict a tenant merely because they
may have additional rights to remain or receive have engaged in an activity the law protects.
relocation assistance. Talk with a lawyer prior to filing • Protected activities include complaining to a
your Eviction Complaint if you think that these or other government official about conditions at the
issues could come up. property.
How do I evict a tenant who has paid their rent but • Local landlord-tenant laws may protect
has violated some other lease