Illinois Eviction Notice for Unpaid Rent

What Illinois law says

• AG page: if the reason is nonpayment, the landlord must give five days to pay the rent.
• A tenant who pays during that window can use it as a defense to the eviction.
• The AG page names the Illinois Forcible Entry and Detainer Act for the later lawsuit but cites no section for the five-day rule.
• A 17th Circuit court self-help page says a written eviction notice can be for 5, 7, 10, or 30 days depending on the legal issue.
• The court page says a tenant can stop an eviction for nonpayment by paying the rent in full during the notice period.

Steps for a landlord

• Give written notice that allows at least five days to pay.
• State the rent owed and the deadline in the notice.
• Check the statute (735 ILCS 5/9-209) for delivery and content rules.
• Check local ordinances before serving.
• Wait for the full period before filing.

What to put in the notice

• The names of the tenants and the address of the rental
• The amount of rent owed and the rental period it covers
• The number of days the tenant has to pay or move out, and the date that period ends
• The date, how the notice was delivered, and who delivered it
• Your name and contact details, with your signature

Things to watch

• The pages we read do not say how the notice must be delivered or what it must contain; check the statute or a local attorney.
• Some cities and counties have their own rules; the AG page advises checking local ordinances.
• Cities and counties can add their own rules, including rent control and extra notice requirements. Check your local rules too.

About this page

We checked this page against the official sources listed below in November 2026. Where an official page did not say something, we say so. Laws change and courts read them differently, so confirm the current rule with the statute, the court or a local attorney before you act. This is general information, not legal advice.