Quick answer: In Illinois the legal path from a notice to an eviction is the notice period, a filing in the circuit court, a hearing the court schedules and an eviction order the sheriff enforces within 120 days. The statutes we read fix the notice periods and the 120-day window, not the hearing date.
This Illinois eviction timeline calculator applies 735 ILCS 5/9-209 and 9-117. Choose the reason and enter the notice date, and the date of the eviction order if you have one: it shows the earliest filing day and the last day the order can be enforced. It shows legal limits only, never how long a case usually takes.
Illinois eviction timeline rules at a glance
| Rule | What Illinois says |
|---|---|
| Notice first | 5 days for rent; 10 days for a default; 30 or 7 days for month-to-month or week-to-week (735 ILCS 5/9-209, 9-210) |
| Summons and trial | Set by the circuit court under its rules |
| Eviction order | Enforced by the sheriff; the court may stay enforcement |
| Enforcement window | No more than 120 days after the order unless the court extends it (9-117) |
| Drug-related cases | Stay of no more than 7 days; sheriff acts within 7 days (9-109.7) |
| Counting | First day excluded; a Saturday, Sunday or holiday last day excluded (5 ILCS 70/1.11) |
| Local rules | Chicago and Cook County add their own steps |
| Federal notice | A covered dwelling may need 30 days (15 U.S.C. 9058(c)) |
How does the Illinois eviction timeline work?
- The steps. See how long an eviction takes in Illinois.
- In court. See the Illinois eviction court process.
- After the order. See the Illinois eviction order and the sheriff.
What does this eviction timeline calculator check?
It starts with the notice date and the earliest filing day, which the Illinois eviction notice calculator explains. After that the statutes we read set no minimum waits for an ordinary case, so the calculator lists the later steps instead of inventing dates. If you enter the date of the eviction order it adds 120 days to show the last day the order can be enforced without going back to court. It does not predict whether the tenant answers, gets a stay or appeals, and it does not apply Chicago or Cook County rules. Check the summons for the hearing date as soon as you receive it.
Related Illinois landlord-tenant calculators
These four calculators cover the same tenancy from different angles. From here you can go to the Illinois security deposit return deadline calculator for the date the landlord must refund or itemize the deposit, the Illinois security deposit limit calculator for the most a landlord may ask for as a deposit and the Illinois eviction notice calculator for the notice period before a lease can end. Each one cites its own Illinois statutes and shows only what the law says.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an eviction take in Illinois?
The statutes fix the notice period before filing and the 120-day window to enforce an order; the court sets the hearing, so a real case takes as long as the court calendar and the tenant’s response allow.
How long does a landlord have to enforce an eviction order?
No more than 120 days after it is entered, unless the court extends the period.
Who carries out an eviction in Illinois?
The sheriff or another lawfully deputized officer, under the eviction order.
Can the court stay an eviction?
Yes, it may stay enforcement; in a drug-related case a stay may not exceed 7 days.
Where are Illinois eviction cases heard?
In the circuit court of the county where the property is.
Do Chicago and Cook County have different rules?
Yes, they add their own procedures; check the local court.