Eviction in DeKalb County, Illinois

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

Quick facts: eviction in DeKalb County

Eviction court: Circuit Court of DeKalb County (23rd Judicial Circuit) — Circuit court Court page
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): $1,373/month HUD
Renter households: 15,270 (39% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-28

Where eviction cases are filed in DeKalb County

Eviction cases in DeKalb County are heard by the Circuit Court of DeKalb County (23rd Judicial Circuit) (Circuit court).

DeKalb County Courthouse - Circuit Clerk — 133 W. State Street, Sycamore, IL 60178; civil 815-895-7131; 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. · website

Court eviction page · E-filing · Search court records · Self-help center

Eviction cases are filed with the DeKalb County Circuit Clerk in Sycamore; civil cases can be e-filed. The clerk's self-help resources page lists eviction help and legal aid.

The Illinois eviction process

Illinois state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including DeKalb County:

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
File an eviction complaint; the clerk issues a summons (residential eviction summons must include the Court-Based Rental Assistance notice in English and Spanish)
Hearing/trial on the return date; tenant may have a jury trial and present defenses
Eviction order (judgment for possession and any rent)
Order is filed with the sheriff for enforcement; it expires if not enforced within 120 days unless extended
Sheriff carries out the eviction (only the sheriff may physically remove the tenant)

Full Illinois eviction rules with sources →

Rent in DeKalb County

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the DeKalb County, IL HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio	$947
1 bedroom	$1,046
2 bedrooms	$1,373
3 bedrooms	$1,825
4 bedrooms	$2,203

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in DeKalb County: $1,049/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

County tenant ordinance

No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; eviction procedure follows state law. City rules, if any, are on city pages.

Eviction help in DeKalb County

Free legal help

Prairie State Legal Services — Free civil legal aid, including housing, for low-income people and seniors in northern and central Illinois counties outside Cook County; listed on the DeKalb Circuit Clerk's resources page. Main phone (815) 965-2134.

Rental assistance

Eviction Help Illinois — Free legal aid, mediation, and connections to other resources including rental assistance for renters facing eviction (and landlords without a lawyer). Call 855-631-0811.

Tenant and eviction lawyers in DeKalb County

Other Illinois counties

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in DeKalb County?

Eviction cases in DeKalb County are filed with the Circuit Court of DeKalb County (23rd Judicial Circuit).

Where can I get help with an eviction in DeKalb County?

Prairie State Legal Services; Eviction Help Illinois.

What is the fair market rent in DeKalb County?

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $1,373 per month (1-bedroom: $1,046).

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.