A: Eviction Help Illinois is a state-funded program. It is supported by the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation. It is made of 16 non-profit groups throughout the state. They provide legal services, mediation services, and other resources. These include referrals to rental assistance in response to the eviction crisis.
Q: How does Eviction Help Illinois work?
A: There are three ways to access the Eviction Help Illinois network. You can:
1. Call the Eviction Help Illinois hotline at (855)-631-0811.
2. Visit the website: evictionhelpillinois.org
3. Text “Eviction Help” for screening and intake!
• English: 1-844-938-4280 (1-844-9EVICT-0)
• Spanish: 1-844-938-4289 (1-844-9EVICT-9)
1. Call the Eviction Help Illinois hotline at (855)-631-0811.
2. Visit the website: evictionhelpillinois.org
3. Text “Eviction Help” for screening and intake!
• English: 1-844-938-4280 (1-844-9EVICT-0)
• Spanish: 1-844-938-4289 (1-844-9EVICT-9)
Answer a few simple questions needed to review your housing issue and get started. A legal aid professional will evaluate your eligibility. They will get in touch with you about potential next steps.
Q: What services are available through the Eviction Help Illinois?
A: Depending on eligibility and needs, free services can include:
• Housing and eviction information,
• Document review and preparation,
• Legal consultation and advice,
• Referrals to available mediation or rental assistance programs, and
• Direct referrals to a network of legal aid and pro bono attorneys. They can represent you in court.
• Housing and eviction information,
• Document review and preparation,
• Legal consultation and advice,
• Referrals to available mediation or rental assistance programs, and
• Direct referrals to a network of legal aid and pro bono attorneys. They can represent you in court.
Q: Am I eligible for help?
A: We decide if you are eligible based on your answers to the intake questions on:
• Eviction Help Illinois online portal,
• Telephone hotline, or
• Text hotline.
If you are not eligible for the program, we will help you with your next steps. This includes referrals to other resources.
The program is available to all low-income residents of Illinois. You do not need to have a case in court to receive services.
For people who are not U.S citizens or are ESL, please contact our telephone hotline: (855)-631-0811. We’ll decide if you’re eligibility and what your legal needs are. Spanish translation is available.
• Eviction Help Illinois online portal,
• Telephone hotline, or
• Text hotline.
If you are not eligible for the program, we will help you with your next steps. This includes referrals to other resources.
The program is available to all low-income residents of Illinois. You do not need to have a case in court to receive services.
For people who are not U.S citizens or are ESL, please contact our telephone hotline: (855)-631-0811. We’ll decide if you’re eligibility and what your legal needs are. Spanish translation is available.
Q: How long will the process take?
A: The process and timing will vary depending on your needs and the details of your housing or eviction issue. To learn more and get started:
• Call the Eviction Help Illinois hotline at (855)-631-0811
• Visit the website: evictionhelpillinois.org
• Text “Eviction Help” for screening and intake (coming soon):
◦ English: 1-844-938-4280 (1-844-9EVICT-0)
◦ Spanish: 1-844-938-4289 (1-844-9EVICT-9)
• Call the Eviction Help Illinois hotline at (855)-631-0811
• Visit the website: evictionhelpillinois.org
• Text “Eviction Help” for screening and intake (coming soon):
◦ English: 1-844-938-4280 (1-844-9EVICT-0)
◦ Spanish: 1-844-938-4289 (1-844-9EVICT-9)
Q: How much does this cost?
A: Our services are free if you qualify.
Q: How can I learn more about the Illinois Housing and Eviction laws?
A: To learn more about the Illinois housing and eviction laws, visit Illinois Legal Aid Online. For more information about the parts of an eviction case, the Illinois Supreme Court provides a guide for self-represented litigants on How to File and Present an Eviction Case.
General Eviction Help Illinois FAQS
Q: Can a landlord legally change the locks on a rental property without taking the tenant to court?A: Landlords cannot change the locks on tenants’ home. Only the sheriff can evict, and the sheriff will only come out after a judge enters an eviction order.
Q: Does a landlord have to give a tenant any type of notice before filing an eviction case?
A: Landlords who want to evict their tenants must first give their tenant a termination notice. This notice may be for nonpayment of rent, for cause, or because the lease has ended.
Q: What does a termination notice look like?
A: The Illinois Supreme Court’s Eviction Forms page contains standard notice forms that can be used anywhere in the state. The length of notice and details that must be provided will vary based on where the tenant lives as well as any lease and housing program restrictions. For help figuring out whether a notice is correct, landlords and tenants can contact Eviction Help Illinois at (855)-631-0811.
Q: How will I know when I have to go to court?
A: Once court papers are filed with the court, the landlord will get a court date and the court papers will have to be served on the tenant. The court papers will tell the tenant when the court date is and where court will be held, either via Zoom or in person. In court, the parties can agree to go to mediation instead of a trial.
Q: What is mediation?
A: Mediation is a process by which two parties decide to try and work out a problem with the help of a neutral third party.
Q: What if, after mediation, the landlord and the tenant can't come to an agreement?
A: If the parties do not come to an agreement, and then if there is a case in court, the case will continue in front of a judge. The judge will make a decision that both parties must follow.
Q: What rental assistance is available?
A: Rental assistance is currently available through the Illinois Department of Human Services. To apply, contact an Illinois Department of Human Services service provider agency in your area. Provider agencies can walk you through the application process and help you apply for rental assistance. You can find a list of providers here: www.illinoisrentalassistance.org/providers. Depending on where you live, other rental assistance may still be available. While you can apply for more than one program at a time, you cannot receive funds from more than one program covering the same time period.