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Eviction Process 

Pursuant to Illinois law, under certain circumstances, it is possible for a landlord to file a claim, known as a forcible entry and detainer lawsuit, to evict a tenant. Some of the reasons a landlord may be justified in seeking eviction include, but are not limited to, the following: 

1. Failure to pay rent;

2. Violation of the lease terms; or

3. Remaining in the property after the agreed upon lease term has passed. 

In some cases when issues arise, the tenant may voluntarily leave the property. However, if the tenant refuses to relinquish the property, the landlord may be forced to file a forcible entry and detainer lawsuit to initiate eviction proceedings. The first step in the process is to serve notice on the tenant of the intention to terminate the lease. The best way to satisfy the service requirement is to personally hand the tenant the notice. Alternatively, it can be left with someone that lives in the property who is at least 13 years of age. The notice requirement is not satisfied if the notice is left with a guest or visitor to the property. 

If personal notice is not possible, constructive notice is also sufficient. Constructive notice can be accomplished by mailing it by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If there is no one in actual possession of the property, the notice can be attached to the property. After notice has been properly served and the issue has not been corrected or the tenant has not moved out, the lawsuit to evict can be filed.

A forcible entry and detainer claim seeks to obtain an “Order for Possession” from the court, which grants the landlord the right to take possession of the property. If the Order for Possession is granted, in most cases, the court will also grant a “stay of enforcement” in order to give the tenant time to find a new place to live. After the stay expires, the Sheriff’s Department will assist the landlord in removing the tenant from the property. 

In addition to the claim for the property, the landlord can join a claim to obtain rent due. However, if constructive notice was used to satisfy the service requirement and the tenant does not appear, the court can only rule on the possession claim and not whether any rent should be paid to the landlord. If the possession claim is decided, it is final, enforceable, and appealable. If the landlord wishes to continue with the rent claim, it remains pending. 

Unfortunately, disputes between landlords and tenants do arise. When those issues are significant enough, eviction of the tenant may be sought. If you have questions about the rental of property, contact an experienced Illinois real estate attorney today. Our firm provides representation for individuals located throughout the northwest suburbs, including the communities of Long Grove, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Palatine, Inverness, Kenilworth, Riverwoods, Barrington, South Barrington, and Mount Prospect. 

About the Author: Founding partner of Drost, Gilbert, Andrew & Apicella, LLC, Colin Gilbert, received his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of law in 2005. Colin argues cases across many practice areas including criminal defense, collections, civil litigation, real estate law, and corporate law. Colin is an active member of the Board of Governors of the Northwest Suburban Bar Association and the Illinois Creditors Bar Association. He is currently Vice President of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce, and is a Commissioner for the Village of Arlington Heights. Colin has a 10.0 Attorney rating on Avvo, and was named one of the 2014 “Top 40 Under 40” Trial Lawyers in Illinois by the National Trial Lawyers Association.

Source:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=073500050HArt%2E+IX&ActID=2017&ChapterID=56&SeqStart=66600000&SeqEnd=74400000