Eviction in Winnebago County (Rockford), Illinois

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

Quick facts: eviction in Winnebago County (Rockford)

Eviction court: 17th Judicial Circuit Court (Winnebago County) — Circuit Court (Illinois) Court page
Filing fee: Residential eviction: $292 filing; residential possession only: $117. Defendant appearance: $217 ($137 possession only). Jury demand $106.25 (6-person) / $212.50 (12-person). (Commercial: $292 / $117.) Winnebago County Circuit Clerk Fee Schedule (effective July 20, 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): $1,175/month HUD
Renter households: 39,606 (34% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-23

Where eviction cases are filed in Winnebago County (Rockford)

Eviction cases in Winnebago County (Rockford) are heard by the 17th Judicial Circuit Court (Winnebago County) (Circuit Court (Illinois)).

Winnebago County Courthouse (Self-Help Center, Room 304, in the law library) — 400 W. State St., Rockford, IL 61101 · website

Court eviction page · Self-help center

The Winnebago County Legal Self-Help Center has a navigator Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (815-319-4526) who can help with computers and printing but cannot give legal advice.

How much it costs to file an eviction in Winnebago County (Rockford)

Residential eviction: $292 filing; residential possession only: $117. Defendant appearance: $217 ($137 possession only). Jury demand $106.25 (6-person) / $212.50 (12-person). (Commercial: $292 / $117.)

From the court's official fee schedule PDF. No filing fee for a government agency. A motion to vacate an eviction judgment filed within 30 days has no fee. Fee waiver: Application for Waiver of Court Fees. Sheriff service fees are extra.

Source: Winnebago County Circuit Clerk Fee Schedule (effective July 20, 2026)

The Illinois eviction process

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

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 →

1,976 eviction (EV) cases filed in Winnebago County in 2025 Source

Rent in Winnebago County (Rockford)

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Rockford, IL MSA (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio	$810
1 bedroom	$895
2 bedrooms	$1,175
3 bedrooms	$1,555
4 bedrooms	$1,594

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Winnebago County (Rockford): $1,021/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

County tenant ordinance

No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; city rules (if any) live on city pages.

Eviction help in Winnebago County (Rockford)

Free legal help

Prairie State Legal Services (Rockford office) — Free civil legal help for eligible low-income residents; Rockford office, 303 N. Main St., Suite 600, (815) 965-2902, serves Winnebago County.
Illinois Legal Aid Online — Statewide self-help information and forms for eviction cases.

Rental assistance

City of Rockford Human Services Department — Community action agency for Winnebago County; help with rent, mortgage and utility bills (844-710-6919), as listed by the 17th Circuit
Illinois Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (IHDA) — Emergency rental assistance for tenants with a pending eviction case for nonpayment (household income at or below 80% AMI); up to $10,000 for past-due rent, up to $700 court costs and up to two months of future rent. Tenant applies first.

Other Illinois counties

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Winnebago County (Rockford)?

Eviction cases in Winnebago County (Rockford) are filed with the 17th Judicial Circuit Court (Winnebago County).

How much does it cost to file an eviction in Winnebago County (Rockford)?

Where can I get help with an eviction in Winnebago County (Rockford)?

Prairie State Legal Services (Rockford office); Illinois Legal Aid Online; City of Rockford Human Services Department; Illinois Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (IHDA).

What is the fair market rent in Winnebago County (Rockford)?

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $1,175 per month (1-bedroom: $895).

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.