Legal and Tenant Help

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Hi friend. Getting a notice on your door or a letter from court can make your stomach drop. Take a deep breath. You have rights, there are deadlines you can meet, and there is no cost legal help in Illinois for people who qualify.

Here is the easy first step: read the paper carefully, write down every date on it, and call your local legal aid office today. Their numbers are in the county list later in this guide.

A few things to know

• You choose. Use what feels right for you and skip anything that doesn't.
• Each place decides who it can serve. We share what each place says it offers and how to reach it. We can't promise legal help, money or a result in any case.
• This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws change. For advice about your situation, talk with a lawyer or legal aid.
• In danger right now? Call 911. Thinking about suicide or in crisis? Call or text 988.

Where can I get no cost legal help?

Legal aid offices give no cost civil legal help to people with low incomes, on things like evictions, benefits, family law and consumer problems. Each office decides who it can serve and which counties it covers, so call and ask.

• Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) has guides, no cost Easy Forms for court, and a Get Legal Help tool that suggests services based on your problem, where you live and your income.
• Eviction Help Illinois gives no cost help to lower income renters facing eviction, even before there's a court case. Call 855.631.0811.
• In Cook County, Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (CCLAHD) helps residents at no cost, regardless of income, language or immigration status. Call 855.956.5763, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm.
• Legal aid groups serve different parts of the state, like Legal Aid Chicago, Prairie State Legal Services in northern and central Illinois, and Land of Lincoln Legal Aid in central and southern Illinois. Each one is listed for its counties later in this guide.
• Questions about court? Call or text Illinois Court Help at 833.411.1121.

Sources: https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/get-legal-help and https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/evictionhelpillinois and https://chicago.gov/eviction and https://www.ilcourthelp.gov/

BUNKLY TIP

Count the days on a calendar

Mark the date you got the paper, then count each deadline on a calendar. Ask legal aid to double check your dates with you.

What does an eviction notice mean?

A notice from your landlord is an important paper. Here's what to know:

• Read it carefully and write down the date you got it.
• Questions about the details? Check the official page below, and decide what's right for you.
• The notice is not a court order. It only starts the process. The landlord still has to file a case in court and win it, and only the sheriff, with a judge's order, can remove you.

This is general information, not legal advice.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/lockouts-and-emergency-rental-repairs

What if I get eviction papers from court?

Act right away. The Illinois Eviction Summons, the paper you get when you're sued, says:

• You must go to court on the date in the Summons. If you don't, the judge may decide the case without you. This is called a default, and you could lose.
• You may have to file a form called an Appearance. You don't have to file an Answer unless the judge orders it.
• You may be charged filing fees. If you can't pay, you can file an Application for Waiver of Court Fees. The Illinois Courts say every Illinois court must accept the statewide fee waiver forms.
• The court may let you attend your first court date in person, or by video or phone. Ask the Circuit Clerk.
• No cost forms are at ilcourts.info/forms. ILAO's no cost Easy Form can help you fill out your Appearance, Answer and defenses.
• If the case is for unpaid rent, ask about the Court Based Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP). It can help eligible renters with past due rent and court costs.

This is general information, not legal advice. See the county list for legal aid near you.

Sources: https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/64f9544b-7e64-40b7-b9f2-45ecc09ecc49/EVC%20Eviction%20Summons.pdf and https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms/approved-forms/circuit-court-standardized-forms-suites/fee-waiver-civil/ and https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/responding-eviction-papers and https://www.illinoishousinghelp.org/cbrap

Paperwork can feel scary, but you are not alone in this. One call to legal aid can change everything, friend.

From the Bunklow team

Can my landlord lock me out or shut off my utilities?

ILAO says landlords need a court order to evict, and only the sheriff can carry it out.

• If you're locked out, ILAO says you can call the police or 311 and explain what happened.
• ILAO has a no cost End lockout letter program to make letters for your landlord.
• Call legal aid right away. In Chicago, Rentervention helps with lockouts at no cost at 312.347.7600.

Sources: https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/lockouts-and-emergency-rental-repairs and https://chicago.gov/eviction

How do I get my security deposit back?

Here's what to know.

• If your landlord keeps part of your deposit for damage, ask for a written list of the damage and what it costs.
• Questions about the details? Check the official page below, and decide what's right for you.
• Normal wear and tear is not damage. Give your new address in writing when you move out.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/

BUNKLY TIP

Take move out photos

When you move out, take photos and a short video of every room, with the date. It's one of the best ways to protect your deposit. You've got this!

What if I'm treated unfairly because of who I am?

Think you were treated differently because of your race, disability, family, source of income (like a Housing Choice Voucher) or who you are? You can report it to the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR).

Check the full list on the official page.

• Filing with IDHR is at no cost, and you don't need a lawyer. Check the timing on the official page.
• You can also file with HUD online.
• Think your landlord punished you for asking for repairs? Call legal aid.

Sources: https://dhr.illinois.gov/rights/housing-rights.html and https://dhr.illinois.gov/about-us/idhr-faqs/know-your-rights-faqs/faq-sourceincome.html and https://www.hud.gov/contactus/file-complaint

Can an eviction case be sealed?

Sometimes. In some cases, a judge may seal an eviction court file, so it's harder for others to see.

• Questions about the details? Check the official page below, and decide what's right for you.
• ILAO says if you reach an agreement, you can ask that the case be sealed by agreement of both sides.

Ask legal aid if sealing could help you.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/responding-eviction-papers

I live in Chicago. Can I get a no cost lawyer for eviction?

You may. The City of Chicago's Right to Counsel program gives full legal representation to eligible tenants facing eviction.

As of October 17, 2026, the City says you may qualify if you:

• Live in the City of Chicago.
• Got an eviction notice, a court summons or a threat of eviction.
• Have household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income.

Call the Early Resolution Program at 855.956.5763 to get connected. It offers no cost legal help and mediation, and referrals to rental assistance.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/doh/provdrs/renters/svcs/right-to-counsel.html

Sources: https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/lockouts-and-emergency-rental-repairs and https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/64f9544b-7e64-40b7-b9f2-45ecc09ecc49/EVC%20Eviction%20Summons.pdf and https://www.ilcourthelp.gov/

Who can I call in my county?

Here are no cost legal aid offices near you. Each decides who it can serve, so call and ask.

Federal help (works in every state)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Illinois

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Chicago and Cook County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

DuPage County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Lake County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Will County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Kane County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

McHenry County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Winnebago County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Madison County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

St. Clair County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Champaign County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Sangamon County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Peoria County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Neighborhood and other counties

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

My legal plan

Fill this in with a pen, or snap a photo and keep it on your phone. You've got this!

Key numbers to keep

BUNKLY TIP

Please let me know if you have any questions

If something in this guide is out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. You're doing the right thing by getting informed. Make it a great day, friend!

About this guide

Made by the Bunklow team. No sign up, no paywall, no cost. Please share it with anyone who could use it. Bunklow does not run these programs and cannot speak for them. We list what each place says it offers and how to reach it, and you decide what to use. This is not a full list of every place that can help. Every source was checked on October 17, 2026. If something has changed, please tell us so we can fix it. We are always happy to hear from you!

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

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Last updated October 17, 2026