Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Illinois

Re: evictions in chicago

The first date is the trial date. You show up, make your argument, show any proof of payment of rent, etc. The landlord will most likely get an order of possession that day. If you don't move out of the apartment by the date specified in the order of possession (the court will usually give you two to three weeks), the landlord will have to go back to court and essentially start moving toward the next step of the process, which is where the sheriff comes and forces you out of the apartment. Ever drive through a lower income neighborhood and see a ton of personal property piled up on a curb somewhere? That's probably the result of someone getting tossed out of his/her apartment via sheriff.

So, if you are not going to be able to pay your rent and will be evicted anyway, do yourself a favor and strike a deal with your landlord. Tell him you'll agree to an order of possession and that you can be out in a month (or sooner, if you can do it), then start getting your stuff together and move somewhere quickly. Show up at the trial date and make sure an agreed order is entered that reflects your agreement with the landlord. It will make it a lot easier on you if you do it that way.