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Eviction in Cook County (Chicago), Illinois

Where eviction cases are filed in Cook County (Chicago), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.

Quick facts: eviction in Cook County (Chicago)

Eviction court
Circuit Court of Cook County, Municipal Department (eviction courtrooms in all six municipal districts) — Circuit Court (Illinois) Court page
Filing fee
Joint action (possession and rent): $379 filing; Eviction (possession only): $287 filing. Defendant appearance fee: $250 (joint action) / $150 (possession only). A statutory mailing fee plus postage per defendant is added. Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Civil Division Filing Fees (CCG-0603, rev. 05/21/26)
Notice before filing (state law)
Written demand giving not less than 5 days after service to pay; if unpaid, landlord may end the lease and file for eviction. To keep partial payments from invalidating the notice, it must state that only FULL PAYMENT waives the right to terminate. Illinois rules
HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
$1,781/month HUD
Renter households
887,660 (42% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-23

Where eviction cases are filed in Cook County (Chicago)

Eviction cases in Cook County (Chicago) are heard by the Circuit Court of Cook County, Municipal Department (eviction courtrooms in all six municipal districts) (Circuit Court (Illinois)).

Court eviction page · Self-help center

Cases are heard in the municipal district where the property is located. Landlords may not use self-help (lock changes, removing belongings); only the Sheriff enforces eviction orders. Street addresses of suburban courthouses not listed on the cited page.

How much it costs to file an eviction in Cook County (Chicago)

Joint action (possession and rent): $379 filing; Eviction (possession only): $287 filing. Defendant appearance fee: $250 (joint action) / $150 (possession only). A statutory mailing fee plus postage per defendant is added.

From the court's official fee schedule PDF (rev. date 05/21/26); the PDF shows a revision date, not a separate effective date. The $204 filing / $95 appearance figures seen in earlier versions are the Clerk's 'Local Government and School District' schedule (e.g. CHA evictions), not the fee for private landlords. Fee waivers are available by application to the court.

Source: Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Civil Division Filing Fees (CCG-0603, rev. 05/21/26)

How eviction cases work locally

Early Resolution Program (ERP)Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (CCLAHD) Early Resolution Program offers free legal aid, mediation and referrals (including to rental assistance) for renters and small landlords in eviction cases; hotline (855) 956-5763, Mon-Fri 9:00-4:30. Available regardless of income, language or immigration status.
Source: Official source

The Illinois eviction process

Illinois state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Cook County (Chicago):

  1. Serve written notice: 5-day demand for rent, 10-day notice for lease violation, or 30-day (month-to-month) / 7-day (week-to-week) / 60-day (year-to-year) termination notice
  2. File an eviction complaint; the clerk issues a summons (residential eviction summons must include the Court-Based Rental Assistance notice in English and Spanish)
  3. Hearing/trial on the return date; tenant may have a jury trial and present defenses
  4. Eviction order (judgment for possession and any rent)
  5. Order is filed with the sheriff for enforcement; it expires if not enforced within 120 days unless extended
  6. Sheriff carries out the eviction (only the sheriff may physically remove the tenant)

Full Illinois eviction rules with sources →

Rent in Cook County (Chicago)

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio$1,480
1 bedroom$1,581
2 bedrooms$1,781
3 bedrooms$2,294
4 bedrooms$2,653

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Cook County (Chicago): $1,435/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

Metro-wide FMRs shown. HUD designates this area for Small Area FMRs (ZIP-code-level) for Housing Choice Voucher programs; ZIP-level values are on the county summary page.

Cook County Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance (RTLO)

Applies: All of Cook County except cities, villages and towns that have their own ordinance setting out both tenant and landlord rights, obligations and remedies (Sec. 42-801(D)). The County names Chicago, Evanston and Mount Prospect as having their own ordinances and being exempt; tenants there follow the local ordinance. The RTLO anti-lockout rule applies to all rental units, including units otherwise excluded.

Full Cook County Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance (RTLO) rules with sources →

Eviction help in Cook County (Chicago)

Free legal help

Rental assistance

City rules in Cook County (Chicago)

Other Illinois counties

Related

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Cook County (Chicago)?
Eviction cases in Cook County (Chicago) are filed with the Circuit Court of Cook County, Municipal Department (eviction courtrooms in all six municipal districts).
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Cook County (Chicago)?
Joint action (possession and rent): $379 filing; Eviction (possession only): $287 filing. Defendant appearance fee: $250 (joint action) / $150 (possession only). A statutory mailing fee plus postage per defendant is added.
Where can I get help with an eviction in Cook County (Chicago)?
Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (CCLAHD); Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt - Early Resolution Program.
What is the fair market rent in Cook County (Chicago)?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $1,781 per month (1-bedroom: $1,581).

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.