Illinois Eviction Notice Template (735 ILCS 5/9-209)
Before a landlord can file an eviction case, most states require a written notice that tells the tenant what is wrong and how long they have to fix it or move out. Answer the questions below to create a clear, professional notice — then check it against your state and local rules before you serve it.
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Free to preview[Landlord or property manager name]
[Your address and phone for the tenant to reach you]
October 15, 2026
To: [Tenant name(s)]
and all other occupants of
[Rental property address]
Re: [Type of notice] — [Rental property address]
Dear [Tenant name(s)],
This letter is formal written notice to you as the tenant of the property at [Rental property address]. Type of notice: [Type of notice].
The reason for this notice is as follows:
[Reason for this notice]
Within [Notice period in days] days after this notice is delivered to you, you must [What the tenant must do within that time]. If this notice is delivered to you on October 15, 2026, that period ends on October 15, 2026.
This notice is given under 735 ILCS 5/9-209, which requires a written demand to the tenant before a landlord may file an eviction action.
If you do not do so within that time, I intend to file an eviction case with the court to recover possession of the property. You will have the opportunity to respond in court, and you may not be removed from the property unless a court orders it. I will not remove you or your belongings or change the locks without a court order.
If you have questions about this notice, or wish to discuss payment or resolving the issue, please contact me in writing at the address above.
Sincerely,
[Landlord or property manager name]
Date this notice was delivered: ____________________
Method of delivery: ____________________
Delivered by: ____________________
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How eviction notices work in Illinois
Illinois eviction notices are set by the Eviction Act. Under 735 ILCS 5/9-209, a landlord gives a written demand for unpaid rent that allows at least five days after service to pay. For a default in other lease terms, § 9-210 allows a 10-day notice to quit. To end a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord gives 30 days' written notice under § 9-207. Chicago and suburban Cook County have their own ordinances that can add requirements.
A five-day notice must state the amount owed and that the lease will end unless it's paid. If the notice is to survive partial payments, it must prominently state that only full payment of the rent demanded waives the landlord's right to terminate, unless the landlord agrees in writing to accept partial payment. Under § 9-211, notice may be delivered to the tenant, left with a person 13 or older living at the home, or sent by certified or registered mail with a return receipt.
If the tenant doesn't pay, cure or leave, the landlord files an eviction case in circuit court. The state's official tenant rights guide warns that a landlord may not evict by locking a tenant out, changing the locks, removing belongings or turning off utilities. Only the sheriff, enforcing a court eviction order, can remove a tenant. Help with eviction cases is available through the Illinois courts and legal aid organizations.
What to do, step by step
Check your state and local rules first
Look up the notice period, required wording and delivery method for your state, county and city. Many places set different periods for unpaid rent, lease violations and ending a tenancy, and some cities add their own just-cause rules.
Fill in the notice
Answer the questions above. Name every adult tenant on the lease, state the facts plainly and enter the exact number of days your rules require.
Serve it the way your state requires
States specify how a notice must be delivered — commonly hand delivery, leaving it with an adult at the home, posting and mailing, or certified mail. A notice served the wrong way may have to be redone.
Record how and when you served it
Write down the date, time, method and who delivered it, and keep a copy of the notice. Courts often ask for this proof of service.
Wait out the full notice period
Don't change the locks, remove belongings or shut off utilities. If the tenant fixes the problem, accept it as your rules require; if not, the next step is filing an eviction case in court.
What if the tenant doesn't respond to the notice?
An eviction notice is not an eviction. It is the written warning most states require before you can go to court. If the notice period ends and the tenant hasn't paid, fixed the violation or moved out, the next step is to file an eviction case — often called an unlawful detainer or summary possession case — with your local court.
Until a judge rules in your favor and a court officer such as a sheriff or marshal carries out the order, the tenant has the right to stay. Changing the locks, removing the tenant's belongings, cutting off utilities or otherwise forcing them out is a so-called self-help eviction, which is illegal in nearly every state and can expose you to damages.
Courts look closely at the notice itself. If the period was too short, the wording missed something your state requires or it was delivered the wrong way, the case can be dismissed and you may have to start over. Your local court's self-help center or a landlord association can tell you what your court expects.
Example Illinois eviction notice
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Greenway Rentals LLC
PO Box 2210, Lakeview, MN 55401 · (555) 201-4478
October 5, 2026
To: Taylor Brooks and Jamie Brooks
and all other occupants of
56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402
Re: Notice to pay rent or quit — 56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402
Dear Taylor Brooks and Jamie Brooks,
This letter is formal written notice to you as the tenant of the property at 56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402. Type of notice: Notice to pay rent or quit.
The reason for this notice is as follows:
Rent of $1,450 for the month of September 2026, due on September 1, 2026, has not been paid, despite a reminder sent by email on September 10.
The total amount of rent now due is $1,450.00.
Within 14 days after this notice is delivered to you, you must pay the full amount of rent owed or move out of the property. If this notice is delivered to you on October 5, 2026, that period ends on October 19, 2026.
This notice is given under 735 ILCS 5/9-209, which requires a written demand to the tenant before a landlord may file an eviction action.
If you do not do so within that time, I intend to file an eviction case with the court to recover possession of the property. You will have the opportunity to respond in court, and you may not be removed from the property unless a court orders it. I will not remove you or your belongings or change the locks without a court order.
If you have questions about this notice, or wish to discuss payment or resolving the issue, please contact me in writing at the address above.
Sincerely,
Greenway Rentals LLC
Date this notice was delivered: ____________________
Method of delivery: ____________________
Delivered by: ____________________
Frequently asked questions
How long does an Illinois tenant have to pay after a 5-day notice?
At least five days after the notice is served. If the tenant pays the full amount demanded within that time, the landlord cannot proceed on that notice. After the notice period ends without full payment, the landlord may file an eviction case. Accepting partial payment can undo the notice unless it carries the required full-payment statement.
What notice applies to a lease violation in Illinois?
A 10-day notice under 735 ILCS 5/9-210. It must describe the default and tell the tenant to deliver possession within 10 days. Illinois state law doesn't give a general right to cure, though suburban Cook County's ordinance gives tenants 10 days to fix the issue, and the lease may provide one.
How do I end a month-to-month tenancy in Illinois?
Give at least 30 days' written notice under § 9-207. In Chicago, the Fair Notice Ordinance requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy for tenants who have lived there more than six months but less than three years, and 120 days for more than three years. It doesn't apply once an eviction for nonpayment or a lease violation has begun.
Can an Illinois landlord lock out a tenant who doesn't pay?
No. A landlord must file a lawsuit to evict, and the state's official tenant rights guide says it is illegal to evict by locking a tenant out, changing locks, removing belongings or shutting off utilities. Suburban Cook County's ordinance bans lockouts with no exceptions. File in circuit court and let the sheriff enforce the order.
How much notice do I have to give a tenant?
It depends on your state, sometimes your city, the type of notice and the lease. Periods for unpaid rent can be as short as a few days or as long as a month, and notices ending a month-to-month tenancy are often 30 days or more. Check your state's landlord-tenant law and any local ordinance before serving.
Is an eviction notice the same as being evicted?
No. A notice only starts the process. If the tenant doesn't comply, the landlord must file a case in court and win a judgment. Only a court order, carried out by a sheriff, marshal or similar officer, can legally remove a tenant from the property.
FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.