The Municipal Districts of the Circuit Court of Cook County hear cases that seek evictions, also known as forcible entry and detainer.
In the most frequently filed actions, litigants are seeking evictions to obtain one of the following results:
- possession of property (known as a “single action”);
- back rent and possession of property (known as a “joint action”); or
- condominium fees such as assessments and other fines.
In some Districts, cases also commonly include actions between landlords and tenants, including:
Lock-Out Cases
Commonly, cases where landlords attempt to bypass proper eviction procedures and instead change the locks on the door or shut off utility services.
Distress for Rent Cases
Cases where landlords seize tenants' personal property to secure payment of past due rent.
Evictions Case Information by Municipal District:
City of Chicago
First Municipal District
Eviction cases in the First Municipal District Forcible Entry and Detainer Section are heard in the Richard J. Daley Center.
More information about the First Municipal District Forcible Entry and Detainer Section
First Municipal District Eviction Courtrooms:
- Courtroom 1302
- Courtroom 1402
- Courtroom 1404
- Courtroom 1406
- Courtroom 1408
Forms
The Clerk of the Circuit Court provides standard forms of eviction complaints and summons.
Skokie Courthouse
Second Municipal District
Eviction actions in the Second Municipal District are heard in Courtroom 204 of the Skokie Courthouse every Friday at 9 a.m.
Assistance for People Without Lawyers
Both landlords and tenants without lawyers may obtain assistance in preparing complaints or responding to them from the legal help desk on Friday between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. in Rolling Meadows Courtroom 206.
Forms
The Clerk of the Circuit Court provides standard forms of eviction complaints and summons.
Rolling Meadows Courthouse
Third Municipal District
Eviction cases for the Third Municipal District are heard in the Rolling Meadows Courthouse in three civil courtrooms as follows:
- Courtroom 204, Thursday
- Courtroom 205, Thursday
- Courtroom 206, Thursday
Forms
The Clerk of the Circuit Court provides standard forms of eviction complaints and summons. The Clerk’s Office is located in Room 121 of the Courthouse.
Maywood Courthouse
Fourth Municipal District
Evictions cases in the Fourth Municipal District are heard in Maywood Courthouse Courtrooms 111 and 112.
Forms
The Clerk of the Circuit Court provides standard forms of eviction complaints and summons. The Clerk’s Office is located in Room 236 of the Courthouse.
Bridgeview Courthouse
Fifth Municipal District
Eviction cases in the Fifth Municipal District are heard in Bridgeview Courthouse Courtroom 203.
Forms
The Clerk of the Circuit Court provides standard forms of eviction complaints and summons. The Clerk’s Office is located in Room 121 of the Courthouse.
Markham Courthouse
Sixth Municipal District
Eviction cases for the Sixth Municipal District are heard Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Markham Courthouse in Courtrooms 207 and 208 at 1 p.m.
Forms
The Clerk of the Circuit Court provides standard forms of eviction complaints and summons. The Clerk’s Office is located in Room 119 of the Courthouse.
Tips for Eviction Court
The information presented below is general and intended to help courtroom proceedings to run smoothly and efficiently by letting litigants know what to expect and what is expected of them.
- Upon reaching the courtroom, find your case and line number on the bulletin board outside the courtroom.
- Quietly enter the court room. Turn off cell phones and remove any hats.
- Attorneys check in with clerk.
- Pro se individuals (individuals representing themselves) check in with clerk.
- Wait in court gallery for line number to be called and approach the judge.
- When your line number is called by the clerk, approach the judge and identify yourself as the plaintiff (landlord) or defendant (tenant).
- At this point, the defendant can ask for more time to find an attorney, the case can go to immediate trial or various motions can be filed.
- Please be respectful and polite to the judge and opposing parties at all times.
- The plaintiff/landlord will go first. The plaintiff may enter evidence such as receipts or rental agreements. The plaintiff may also call witnesses. The defendant/tenant will have a chance to ask questions of the witnesses when the plaintiff is done
- Next, the defendant has a chance to enter evidence and call witnesses. The plaintiff may question the witnesses when the defendant is done.
- Remember, both sides will have a chance to tell their side of the story and ask questions of witnesses. Please wait until it is your turn to present any evidence. If the opposing side is questioning you, ONLY answer the questions posed. You will have a chance to present your evidence and ask them questions later.
- Once both sides have presented their case, the judge will enter a judgment in the courtroom in front of all parties or take the case under advisement for a later decision.
- The judge may order eviction, back rent or may also stay the eviction for a period of time.
- All orders are final.
- Evidence that is relevant to your case including rental agreements, records of payments, receipts, photos of residence.
- Witnesses.
- Be respectful and polite at all times.
- No talking, eating or sleeping in the courtroom.
- Turn off your phone.
- Dress appropriately.
- Do not approach the judge unless your case has been called.
- Do not approach the clerk unless it is time for pro se individuals to check in.
Once an order for eviction has been entered, the tenant has a specific amount of time to move out. If the tenant remains on the property beyond this time, a landlord MAY NOT use self-help methods to remove the tenant.
- Landlords MAY NOT change the locks on the apartment.
- Landlords MAY NOT remove tenant's belongings from the apartment.
Legal Assistance and Resources for Eviction
- CARPLS Advice Desk and the CARPLS website.
- Illinois Legal Aid offers a wide variety of resources and information on landlord/tenant law.
- The Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Self Help Center resources on landlord/tenant law and general legal matters.
- Chicago Coalition for the Homeless for access to transitional jobs, provides support services and offers the only legal aid office in Illinois dedicated solely to serving homeless people, with focus on students turned away by public schools or denied school services.
- Chicago Area Homeless Shelters and Services for the Needy provides a list of homeless shelters and services in Chicago and nearby cities. It also provides other transitional resources.
- Interfaith House provides a healing environment and resources to help ill and injured homeless adults restore their health, rebuild their lives and regain self-sufficiency.