Advice on Eviction Process in Chicago. IL

[Regina Bailey]

I'm a landlord dealing with a tenant who has been unresponsive for the past month. She is currently late on rent for the month August and still owes a remaining balance of $100 from the previous month. I've made several attempts to personally deliver a five-day notice but haven't been successful. Despite my efforts to reach her by phone, email, and text, it has been nearly impossible to get in touch. I'm at my wit's end and really can't afford to hire an attorney. Do you have any advice on how to start the eviction process? Thank you.

[John Warren]

@Regina Bailey you can send the 5 day via certified mail. Are you sure the tenant is still living there? Did you do a wellness check? I would start there. I would immediately send the 5 day via certified mail or hire a special process server to serve it for $75 so its done. Then you can file and get the tenant into court. 

If the tenant has vacated, you post a notice of abandonment ASAP. You might even start there by posting a notice and placing a bit of clear tape on all the entry doors at the top so you can see if they are entering or exiting.