Eviction in Lake County (Waukegan), Illinois
Where eviction cases are filed in Lake County (Waukegan), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in Lake County (Waukegan)
- Eviction court
- 19th Judicial Circuit Court (Lake County) — Circuit Court (Illinois) Court page
- Filing fee
- Residential eviction: $359 filing; residential possession only: $189. Defendant appearance: $214 ($134 possession only). (Commercial: $284 / $114.) Lake County Circuit Clerk, Fee Schedule Effective 09/16/2026
- 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
- 65,052 (25% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-22
Where eviction cases are filed in Lake County (Waukegan)
Eviction cases in Lake County (Waukegan) are heard by the 19th Judicial Circuit Court (Lake County) (Circuit Court (Illinois)).
- Lake County Courthouse — 18 N County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085 · website
Courthouse 847-377-3600; Circuit Clerk 847-377-3380. An Eviction Help Desk (funding, housing resources, free legal services) runs Thursdays 9-12 and 1-4:30 on the 4th floor near courtroom C-404.
How much it costs to file an eviction in Lake County (Waukegan)
Residential eviction: $359 filing; residential possession only: $189. Defendant appearance: $214 ($134 possession only). (Commercial: $284 / $114.)
From the court's official fee schedule PDF (rev. date: effective 09/16/2026). Residential figures are $75 higher than the commercial ones, consistent with the $75 residential eviction mediation fee under 19th Circuit Local Rule 7-4.03 (https://19thcircuitcourt.state.il.us/2357/Part-400-Residential-Eviction-Mediation-) being included, but the schedule does not itemize it - confirm with the Clerk. Sheriff service fees extra (Sheriff fee list).
Source: Lake County Circuit Clerk, Fee Schedule Effective 09/16/2026
How eviction cases work locally
| Eviction mediation | Free mediation for residential eviction cases where one party is self-represented, possession is at issue, and the demand is for nonpayment of rent (Local Rule 7-4.04); court may refer any residential case. Source: Official source |
|---|---|
| Service and Order of Possession enforcement by Sheriff | Landlord serves the termination notice; the Sheriff serves the summons/complaint (allow at least 2 weeks). To enforce an Order of Possession, provide a certified copy, a copy and the Eviction Request Form; evictions are scheduled first come, first served, and a red notice is posted. Civil Process 847-377-4400. Source: Official source |
The Illinois eviction process
Illinois state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Lake County (Waukegan):
- 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 Lake County (Waukegan)
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 Lake County (Waukegan): $1,477/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.
Eviction help in Lake County (Waukegan)
Free legal help
- Prairie State Legal Services — Free civil legal help for low-income residents; has a Waukegan office.
Other Illinois counties
- Eviction in Cook County (Chicago)
- Eviction in DuPage County (Wheaton)
- Eviction in Kane County (Aurora / Elgin / Geneva)
- Eviction in Will County (Joliet)
- Eviction in Winnebago County (Rockford)
- Eviction in Champaign County (Champaign / Urbana)
- Eviction in St. Clair County (Belleville / East St. Louis)
- Eviction in Madison County (Edwardsville / Granite City / Alton)
Related
- Illinois landlord-tenant law
- How long an eviction takes in Illinois
- Illinois eviction notice periods
- Notice deadline calculator
- How to evict a tenant in Illinois (landlords)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file an eviction in Lake County (Waukegan)?
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Lake County (Waukegan)?
Where can I get help with an eviction in Lake County (Waukegan)?
What is the fair market rent in Lake County (Waukegan)?
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.