Urgent Housing Emergency & Crisis Resources:

If you are facing immediate eviction, lockout, or emergency homelessness, help is available right now:

Emergency Shelter & Rental Assistance: Call or text 2-1-1 or visit 211.org (free, confidential, available 24/7 nationwide).
Free Legal Aid Finder: Find local Legal Services Corporation (LSC) attorneys at LSC Legal Aid Directory.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: If safety is an issue, call 1-800-799-7233 (1-800-799-SAFE) or text "START" to 88788.

Do not ignore an eviction notice or court summons. Missing your court answer deadline can result in an immediate default eviction judgment.

Illinois Eviction Act: 735 ILCS 5/Art. IX Appearance & Answer

735 ILCS 5 Article IX (Illinois Eviction Act)

Evictions in Illinois proceed under the Illinois Eviction Act (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.). The tenant must file a formal written Appearance by the return date designated on the summons.

Cook County & Chicago RLTO Protections

In Chicago, tenants are shielded by the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO), which imposes strict statutory duties on landlords and allows tenants to withhold rent or deduct repairs for housing code non-compliance. In Cook County, cases must first proceed through the mandatory Early Resolution Program (ERP) before trial.

Illinois Eviction Act: 735 ILCS 5/Art. IX Appearance & Answer

735 ILCS 5 Article IX (Illinois Eviction Act)

Cook County & Chicago RLTO Protections

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