tenant is late with rent

[Kasia Sliwa]

my question is regarding tenant law in Illinois.sorry for long post :  I own a home, tenant was paying on time (well almost on time because she always paid on the 5th of the month) and last month the basement flooded because the sump pump broke, she let us know when she finally went down into the basement, she hasn't been there in a while according to her, and carpet was the only thing that was wet. She called us on Saturday at 10 pm and we went there on Sunday at 10 am. We sucked the water out, put huge dehumidifiers in and fans and cleaned the carpet ( our carpet guy told us that carpet can be cleaned but he was wrong but not before charging us $400. for the cleaning- our mistake) In the meantime tenant was pissed because the carpet smelled and according to her there was mold which there wasn't  (she is a drama queen) but with all that said we ended up pulling the carpet out and redid the whole basement with vinyl water resistant tiles. Tenant stated that she and her daughter got sick with cold because of all of this and this was only going on for about 1.5 week ( we also contacted the insurance in the meantime but they denied the claim) According to tenant she went for 4 days to her parents to sleep cause it was unbearable but she didn't tell us that while it was going on, she told us that after the fact.  Two days ago she told us that she will pay us rent minus 4 days because she had to stay at her parents plus thats what her attorney told her, after much hesitation we agreed to get her of our backs and not to argue anymore cause she loves to argue and never lets you say anything. But today is the fifth and she didn't pay anything and she knows that she is late cause she has until the 5th to pay.  I will call an attorney on Monday but doesn't anyone know any good attorney in Illinois,( property is in Will County)  that can help us or does anyone has an advice in the meantime?  This women has caused us so much headache I just want her to finish her lease and be out, I don't want to deal with her anymore.....

[Kyle Hipp]

send a 5 day pay or quit notice. The tenants renters insurance would cover her inconvenience. You responded within 12 hours and got the issue taken care of time a very timely manner. What more does this tenant expect. You can conced the 4 days of rent but rent is due on the 1st and Apparently late after the 5th for you and should be followed as such.