National Eviction

How long does an eviction take in Illinois?

For landlords and property managers · Updated September 2026

The written deadlines let an uncontested eviction for unpaid rent in Illinois finish in about 3 to 8 weeks at the fastest, before time to file, serve the tenant and get on the court's calendar.

The Illinois eviction timeline, step by step

Calendar days for a nonpayment case the tenant does not contest. Business and court days are converted to calendar days.

  1. 1Notice for unpaid rent

    5 days

    From serving the notice until you can file.

    5-day notice to pay

    From our guide: “A written demand stating the rent due and giving not less than five days after service to pay”

  2. 2Court case

    7 to 40 days

    From filing through service and the answer period or first hearing, to a judgment for possession.

    Appearance date 7 to 40 days after summons issues

    From our guide: “sets an appearance date not less than seven and not more than 40 days after it is issued”

  3. 3Judgment to possession

    7 to 14 days

    Any waiting period before the writ issues, plus the officer's notice before the lockout.

    Enforcement typically stayed about 1 to 2 weeks after order

    From our guide: “usually stays enforcement for a short period, commonly one to two weeks, to give the tenant time to move”

What can slow it down

  • Local ordinances (Chicago RLTO, Fair Notice Ordinance, Cook County) add cure rights and longer notices that override the state minimums shown here; only the sheriff may enforce an order, and it expires if not enforced within 120 days of entry.
  • A defective notice is the most common reason a case is dismissed and has to start over. Check the form and the delivery method in the full guide before you serve it.
  • A tenant who files an answer, raises a defense or appeals adds hearings and waiting periods. Busy urban dockets can add weeks at every stage.
  • Never change the locks or shut off utilities yourself. Self-help eviction is illegal in every state and can cost more than the unpaid rent.

Read the full Illinois eviction guide, with the statute or rule behind each step.

Illinois scores 8 of 10 on our landlord-friendly states map (landlord-leaning).

Compare eviction timelines in every state.

This timeline is general information for landlords, not legal advice. Deadlines change and courts vary by county. Confirm current rules with a licensed Illinois attorney before acting.