Evict a tenant
Start a case to get possession of a home you rent out, and any rent owed.
- Prepare your documents Fill in the forms yourself, or use a guided interview. These sites do not file anything for you.
- File them Upload the finished documents to LITEfile to send them to the court.
Get the forms
- Guided interview Evict a tenant (Easy Form) (opens in a new tab) Illinois Legal Aid Online
- Blank form Eviction forms (opens in a new tab) Illinois Courts
- Instructions How to file and present an eviction complaint (opens in a new tab) Illinois Courts
Documents filings like this often include
Your case may need more or fewer. Nothing here is required to start a filing.
About this list
An eviction case asks the court for possession of a property, and sometimes for unpaid rent. It starts with the written notice you gave the tenant: the case can be dismissed if that notice was wrong or is missing, so it belongs with the complaint. This list covers the usual paperwork, not the local rules of your courtroom.
This list is a guide, not legal advice. We built it from what cases like yours usually need, so your case may need documents that are not here, and may not need some that are. Only the court can tell you for certain, and the clerk cannot give you legal advice.
Commonly included
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Eviction complaint
This starts the case. It says who lives there and what you are asking the court to do.
- Blank form Eviction Complaint (opens in a new tab) Illinois Courts
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The notice you gave the tenant
The 5, 10, or 30 day notice you served before filing, and how the tenant got it.
- Blank form Notice of Termination for Non-Payment of Rent (opens in a new tab) Illinois Courts
- Blank form Notice of Termination for Lease Violation (opens in a new tab) Illinois Courts
- Blank form Notice of Non-Renewal of Lease or Termination of Tenancy (opens in a new tab) Illinois Courts
Often included
- The lease Attach it if the tenancy is in writing. It shows what the tenant agreed to.
- Proof that the tenant got the court papers The sheriff or a special process server files this after serving the summons.
May apply
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Request to waive court fees
File this if you cannot afford the fee to start the case.
- Guided interview Fee waiver (Easy Form) (opens in a new tab) Illinois Legal Aid Online
- Blank form Application for Waiver of Court Fees (opens in a new tab) Illinois Courts
- Instructions How to request a fee waiver (opens in a new tab) Illinois Courts
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Request for a jury
Ask for this when you file if you want a jury.
- Blank form Jury Request (opens in a new tab) Illinois Courts
Some courts also ask for
- Early Resolution Program notice Cook County asks you to give the tenant this notice about its free help and mediation program.