what kind of attorney handles evictions in cook county

by Enoch Jast 8 min read

Law Offices of Azita M. Mojarad, P.C. helps Cook County clients with their Eviction needs.

Full Answer

Do I need a lawyer for an eviction?

Lead Counsel Verified Attorneys In Cook County Lead Counsel independently verifies Eviction attorneys in Cook County and checks their standing with Illinois bar associations. Our Verification Process and Criteria Ample Experience Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.

Do courts side with landlords or tenants in eviction cases?

View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer. Bill is an Illinois and New York licensed attorney operating a general law practice in Chicago. He represent clients throughout the Chicagoland area on matters ranging from tenant evictions and judgment collections, to divorces and much more.

Can a summons and eviction complaint be served on a tenant?

In Cook County, Illinois, as of April, 2012, the cost of filing the action is two hundred thirty seven dollars ($237) for cases seeking possession only or rent of $15,000 or less. In cases where the rent award sought is in excess of $15,000, the filing fee is four hundred thirty two dollars ($432). This fee is paid to the Clerk of the Circuit ...

What happens if a tenant does not respond to an eviction?

May 13, 2020 · A landlord is not allowed to throw away a tenant’s belongings before they have received an official court ruling. When a landlord partakes in this conduct, such as removing the tenant’s personal property or changing the locks to their apartment, it is known as a “self-help” eviction. These types of evictions are illegal in all states.

Can my landlord evict me during coronavirus Illinois?

Can I be evicted for not paying my rent during the pandemic? The eviction moratorium ended October 3rd. Evictions are no longer blocked but rental assistance is available. There are two court-based emergency rental assistance programs.

How long does it take to evict a tenant in Cook County?

approximately 21 to 60 daysIf the matter is heard before a judge, the process can take approximately 21 to 60 days to obtain an order of eviction. Depending on the schedule of the Cook County Sheriff, an additional 6-8 week period may apply before the individual(s) are removed from the property.

Can a landlord evict you without a court order in Illinois?

Non-renewal of the lease after the rental period ends In Illinois, landlords cannot evict a tenant or force them to vacate the property without probable cause. As long as the tenant does not violate any rules, they can stay until their rental period ends.Dec 22, 2021

Is there a moratorium on evictions in Cook County?

What's the status of the eviction moratorium? (Britta Johnson, Prairie State): There is currently no eviction moratorium affecting Illinois residents. The Illinois eviction moratorium ended on October 3, 2021. The national moratorium was held unconstitutional on August 26, 2021.Oct 7, 2021

Does the Cook County sheriff give notice before eviction?

THIS WILL BE THE ONLY NOTIFICATION THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE FROM THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REGARDING YOUR SCHEDULED EVICTION. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you or your attorney may wish to file a motion before the Circuit Court after an Order for Possession has been entered.

How do I delay an eviction in Illinois?

If a landlord sends a tenant a 5 day notice for not paying rent, the tenant can stop the eviction by paying all of the rent due. Under the Covid-19 Eviction Protection Ordinance, after a tenant receives a 5-day notice, they have an additional 7-days to negotiate with their landlord.

How do I evict someone in Cook County?

If you are outside of Cook, visit evictionhelpillinois.org, call 855-631-0811, or text eviction to 844-938-4280. If you live in Cook County, visit cookcountylegalaid.org or call 855-356-5763.

How long does eviction process take in Illinois?

Evicting a tenant in Illinois can take about two weeks to five months depending on the type of eviction and whether a stay of execution is granted, or a default judgment is vacated (read more). Introduction. Landlords in Illinois must have legal reason to begin the eviction process.Oct 20, 2021

Can landlord change locks after 3 day notice?

It is illegal for a landlord to change the locks? Yes. The law says that your tenant has the right to quiet enjoyment of their home. However difficult they are being, you must follow the correct legal procedure – which means no changing the locks to keep them out!Sep 7, 2020

Are evictions happening in Cook County?

Cook County judges approved only 322 evictions in October 2020, as compared with 1,866 in October 2021, according to the data. In Chicago, 1,278 households were evicted from their homes in October 2021, along with 42 businesses, according to the data.Nov 23, 2021

Is the eviction moratorium still in effect in Illinois?

Eviction moratorium ends in Illinois, process more complex than many think. BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — Illinois' eviction moratorium ended this past week meaning evictions of renters behind on rent can resume throughout the state.Oct 6, 2021

Will eviction moratorium be extended in Illinois?

Pritzker announced an extension of the Illinois Eviction Moratorium until September 18, 2021. The CDC's original nationwide eviction moratorium was issued September 4, 2020. This original order has been extended multiple times and expired July 31, 2021.Sep 21, 2021

When was the Cook County Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance passed?

The NEW Cook County Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (CCRLTO) was passed on January 26, 2021 and incorporates many if not most of the Chicago Residential Landlord-Tenant Ordinance (RLTO). We are very familiar with both and can help you navigate the restrictions and requirements of both ordinances.

How to serve an eviction notice?

The Eviction Act tells us the only proper ways to serve an eviction notice. Unless there is no one actually living in the property, there are only 3 acceptable methods to serve an eviction notice: (1) by personal service, which means that the notice is handed personally to the defendant.

What is the first step in eviction?

In almost every eviction case, the first step is to serve a notice on the tenant. This is not just a letter that you write to your tenant. An eviction notice is a legally significant document and is either required by statute or by your lease.

Can you evict a tenant who is not paying rent?

Generally, no. Under certain circumstances, however, it is possible. These generally involve evictions predicated upon nonpayment of rent where the landlord can prove that the tenant can pay, but just is not paying. There are many confusing requirements to this, however and it is not easily satisfied.

What happens after a court decision?

After the court issues its decision, if you have won your case, an Eviction Order must be filed with the County Sheriff for final processing (the actual physical eviction of the tenants) and the Sheriff completes the eviction after that.

How long does it take to get an eviction?

Conservatively speaking, an eviction will take a minimum of 60 to 90 days to complete (these times greatly lengthened due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and we expect they will remain severely protracted for at least the next one to two years as a result of the moratoriums currently in effect.

Can a sheriff evict a tenant?

A judge has to order that the tenants be evicted, and only the county sheriff is allowed by law to evict a tenant or other occupant. It can be a mysterious process to landlords unfamiliar with the courts and the sheriff’s deputies and their respective processes and procedures.

What is a special process server?

A special process server is a person in the business of privately serving a summons. Their success rate is usually better than the Sheriff, however, there is no guarantee that they will be able to serve the tenant.

Is it expensive to evict a tenant?

The cost of eviction is high. In most cases, the decision to evict the tenant is an easy one, as the tenant is not paying rent or is causing trouble. However, the cost to evict is often a surprise to a landlord. In addition, for landlords who cannot personally serve notice on a tenant, there may be additional fees to pay a professional server ...

Can a landlord have a court reporter?

Depending on the facts involved, a landlord may choose to have a court reporter available for the eviction trial. Although this is uncommon, it can be an added cost of the lawsuit.

What to do if tenant is evicted?

If the tenant has good reason to defend against the eviction notice, then they should hire a qualified attorney to argue on their behalf in court. This can help ensure a more successful outcome due to the legal procedures involved and certain evidence that the tenant may not know to gather themselves.

What happens when you file an eviction notice?

Once the eviction notice is filed with a local court, then the clerk will send a summons to the tenant and also provide the landlord with a court date for a hearing. At this stage, both the landlord and the tenant should be collecting evidence to support their arguments for and against the eviction at the hearing.

Why would a landlord want to evict a tenant?

There are many different reasons for why the landlord may want to evict a tenant from a rental property, including: If the tenant has breached the terms of their lease or rental agreement (e.g., smoking in a non-smoking building or keeping pets despite no-pet conditions in the lease); and.

What to do if tenant forgot to pay rent?

If the tenant simply forgot to pay rent or is now in a situation where they are able to pay it, then the tenant should alert the landlord and make the payments.

Can you stop an eviction?

A tenant can also stop an eviction if they have a valid legal defense against the claim.

How much does it cost to evict a landlord in California?

As the next step in the eviction process, California landlords must file a complaint in the appropriate court. In California, this can cost between $385 and $435 in filing fees and an additional $40 to issue a writ of execution.

How long does it take to evict a tenant in California?

Evicting a tenant in California can take about 5-8 weeks (or more) depending on the reason for the eviction, and how (or how quickly) the tenant was served the summons and complaint. If tenants request a stay of execution, the process can take longer ( read more ).

How long do you have to give notice of termination of lease in California?

In California, landlords must either give 30 or 60 days’ notice.

Do you have to answer an eviction complaint in California?

In California, tenants are not required to file a formal, written answer to an eviction complaint; however, a landlord is required to wait out the legally required “answer period” before moving forward with the eviction process.

What is a Writ of Execution?

The Writ of Execution is the tenant’s final notice to leave the rental unit, and gives them the opportunity to remove their belongings before the sheriff returns to the property to forcibly remove the tenant.

How long do you have to give notice to quit a rental?

Less than one year – If a month-to-month tenant has lived in the rental unit for less than one year, a landlord must provide the tenant with a 30-Day Notice to Quit.

How long do you have to move out of a property in CA?

Tenants have 5 days#N#2)…if the real property is not vacated within five days from the date of service of a copy of the writ on the occupant or…within five days from the date a copy of the writ is served on the judgment debtor, the levying officer will remove the occupants from the real property and place the judgment creditor in possession.#N#CA Code of Civ Proc §715.10 (2019)#N#to move out once they have been served with a copy of the writ of execution. If a tenant does not move out within that period, the sheriff will return and forcibly remove them.

Can tenants sue you for damage to their property?

Also, tenants can sue you if they feel that your failure to maintain the property caused damage to their property. In such situations, your insurance liability policy should kick in. If the claim is high, you may opt to refer the issue to your insurer and leverage their obligation to provide you with a lawyer. However, if the claim is low, and it’s being handled in small courts, you may want to handle it yourself, but you can still benefit from an hour or two of coaching sessions from an experienced property damage attorney.

Do you need an attorney for discrimination?

You don’t need an attorney every time a tenant or prospect accuses you of illegal discrimination. However, even landlords who diligently comply with fair housing regulations may still get these accusations from tenants they evict or prospects they reject for legitimate business reasons. If a tenant or prospect sues you for discrimination or if a fair housing agency or HUD agrees to investigate a claim, it’s good to consult an attorney.

Can you evict a tenant with a disability?

No, age, disability , or sickness aren’t defenses to the eviction, so is having children. Sometimes, a judge may allow tenants more time to move out if they have minor children, however, this is usually a slight delay.