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

Circuit Clerk’s office. They
Circuit Clerk. This is done by electronic filing, called may charge you to make copies.
‘e-filing’. You do not have to e-file if:
o If you mail your court forms to the Circuit Clerk’s
• you qualify for an exemption (see “Not E-Filing” office, include a stamped envelope addressed to
below) or you. The Circuit Clerk will file your forms then send
• your case involves a criminal matter. your copies back to you in the envelope.
o Most people e-file their forms using Odyssey eFileIL
at ilcourts.info/efile. STEP 3: SERVE THE EVICTION
o Follow step-by-step instructions and watch videos
that walk you through the steps for e-filing at
COMPLAINT AND EVICTION
ilcourts.info/EfileHowTo. SUMMONS ON DEFENDANTS
o E-filing is easier on a computer. It may not work on a
cell phone or tablet. How do I serve the Defendants with an Eviction
o If you do not have access to a computer or if you Complaint and Eviction Summons?
need help e-filing, take your completed forms to a The sheriff must serve each of the Defendants at least 3
public library or a Circuit Clerk, Appellate Clerk, or days (7 days in Cook County) before the first court date
Supreme Court Clerks’ office. These places offer (also known as the “return date”) which is on the Eviction
public computers where you can e-file your forms. Summons.
• Depending on your courthouse, you can bring o You must deliver to the sheriff, either in person or by
your forms on paper and there may be public mail, copies of your Eviction Summons and Eviction
computers with a scanner where you can turn Complaint (one for each Defendant).
your paper forms into electronic files.
• In person:
• Librarians and courthouse staff may be able to
help you e-file, but they cannot provide legal  Bring the forms to the sheriff's