Eviction Help Illinois

Eviction Help Illinois provides free legal services and resources to people dealing with eviction in Illinois and outside of Cook County. This includes:

Legal representation,
Housing and eviction information,
Document review and preparation,
Rental payment programs, and
Negotiating rent disputes.

It provides free legal help for Illinois:

Renters facing eviction, and
Landlords not represented by a lawyer.

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What to expect with Eviction Help Illinois

Eviction Help Illinois is available to lower-income Illinoisans. You do not need to have a court case to get help. Once you connect to Eviction Help Illinois, you will answer a few questions about your housing situation. Then you'll get legal information or be connected to a legal professional.

If you are not a citizen, please call 855-631-0811. They will decide if you are eligible. Spanish translation is available.

If you are not eligible for help, they will offer next steps. This includes referrals to other resources.

Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt

If you live in Cook County, Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (CCLAHD) can help you resolve your housing problems. Call 855-956-5763 Monday-Friday from 9:00-4:30 or visit the CCLAHD website anytime. Services are free to Cook County residents and property owners regardless of income, language, or immigration status.

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Emergency Court-Based Rental Assistance

If you are a renter in eviction court in Chicago or outside of Cook County, you may qualify for up to 15 months of past due rent and 3 months of future rent. Visit the Illinois Housing Development Authority to learn more. Apply as soon as possible. The program is available until funds run out. You do not have to be a citizen to apply.

Learn more about Court-Based Rental Assistance (CBRAP).

Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) partners with community agencies to provide emergency rental and utility assistance. Illinois households impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic may be eligible.

To apply, contact a community agency. Look for the agency closest to you or one that can meet your language needs.

Homeless Prevention Program

If you are currently homeless or in immediate danger of eviction, foreclosure, or homelessness, you can look into the IDHS Homeless Prevention program. Services are provided through a network of local organizations.

To get services, contact a Homeless Prevention Provider.

For information about the support services available to those experiencing homelessness, visit the IDHS Help is Here page or call 1-833-2-FIND-HELP.

Other resources

Help with paying rent is available in other towns across Illinois. See this list of emergency rental assistance programs and check with your local government agencies and community organizations.

Mediation services are also available throughout the state. Through mediation, people with a disagreement or problem work with a neutral mediator to:

Talk about the disagreement or problem,
Try to think of possible solutions,
Discuss how and whether the solutions would work, and
Try to reach an agreement.

If you are interested in mediation, ask the judge to order your case to mediation. Or you can contact one of these agencies:

Resolution Systems Institute serves Kane, Kankakee, and Winnebago counties.
Dispute Resolution Institute serves Alexander, Champaign, DeWit, Douglas, Jackson, Johnson, Macon, Massac, Moultrie, Piatt, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, St. Clair, Union, and Williams counties.
Center for Conflict Resolution serves Cook County.

Know your rights!