eviction cook county IL

[Robert D.]

This process applies to eviction in Cook County IL. Other jurisdiction might have different process.

This thread is to encourage landlords to file for eviction and put their deadbeat tenants name in the system so that everybody knows that the eviction lawsuit was filed. While I am not an expert I would appreciate if others chime in. so my tenant is on S8. S8 pays $550, tenant’s portion is 500. They refused to pay their portion$500 (s8 paid their portion $550 as always) so I gave the tenant 5 day notice to pay. Once the 5 day notice expired I filed for eviction. I went to 6th floor of the Daley center, picked up paperwork in room 601 (summons and complaint) have a clerk in room 602 help me fill it out and filed everything via e-file. They showed me how to set up my account in e-file system etc. I chose to file for possession and money (joint action) the cost was $379.25. I got my envelope #, with that number another clerk was able to print all the documents with case #, stamps etc. I took that paperwork to 7th floor to pay for sheriff service. I am suing one person and All unknown occupants, the cost with the sheriff is $120. I hope the sheriff will serve her. if not I will have to hire special process server. I hope she will come to senses and pay in the meantime. This is where my knowledge pretty much stops. My court date is on 10/2. When I get a notice that sheriff did not server her …shall I hire process server right away or wait till my court date and ask for continuance and them hire the process server? if she comes to court and asks for jury trial ..then what happens ?. I know plenty of lawyers and I could outsource …but I have a feeling I should know the process inside out myself ..just like I know in and outs of construction. Any help appreciated

[Zoran Stanoev]

To answer your first question, no, do not hire a special process server before your first court date.  You actually need the judge's permission to appoint a special process server. But, bring the special process server's information with you to court (including license number)

And while I can certainly appreciate your desire to learn the process in and out, I think it will ultimately cost you money. Cook county judge's are not going to be lenient with you if you walk into court and don't know what you're doing. You're likely going to do something wrong and it's going to cost you lots of time to have to go back and try and do things right.  The judge will not tell you what to do, so you're going to have to guess (most people assume they can play ignorant and the judge will tell them what to do).  If you hire the attorney, just follow them along and ask lots of question. The money will count as the education.  (or ask your attorney if they have a book or resource - or visit the law library and grab a book)