1. Purpose and Scope
This package is intended for use by landlords (or their authorized agents) to provide proper written notice to tenants prior to filing an eviction action (forcible entry and detainer) in the circuit court. Different notice forms apply depending on the reason for termination and the type of tenancy.
Important: Proper notice is a jurisdictional prerequisite to an eviction lawsuit in Illinois. Failure to use the correct form, provide adequate time, or properly serve the notice may result in dismissal of the case. This is a template only and must be adapted to the specific facts and lease.
2. Notice Type Selector
Use the table below to identify the appropriate notice(s). Check the applicable row(s) and serve the matching form(s). When multiple reasons apply, multiple notices or a combined notice with all grounds may be required.
| Reason for Termination or Eviction | Tenancy Type | Minimum Notice Period (statutory baseline) | Form / Notice to Serve | Key Requirements and Notes |
|------------------------------------|--------------|--------------------------------------------|------------------------|----------------------------|
| Non-payment of rent | Month-to-month, fixed, or other | 5 days after service (pay or quit) | 5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit | Must state exact amount due with itemization; rent only or permitted charges. Weekends/holidays excluded from 5 days in some calculations. |
| Curable breach of lease (e.g. unauthorized occupants, pets, late payment history not rent) | Any | 10 days (cure or quit) | 10-Day Notice to Cure or Quit | Describe violation with specificity and required cure action(s). |
| Uncurable breach (illegal drugs, damage, serious nuisance, assault) | Any | 5 days or 10 days unconditional quit | 5-Day or 10-Day Notice to Quit (No Cure) | State specific facts supporting uncurable breach; cite lease paragraph and statute if applicable. |
| No-cause termination / end of periodic tenancy | Month-to-month | 30 days (or longer per lease or local ordinance) | 30-Day Notice of Termination / Notice to Vacate | Must specify termination date that gives tenant full period; service timing critical. |
| Holdover after fixed-term lease expires and converts to MTM | Converted MTM | 30 days | 30-Day Notice to Vacate | Confirm automatic conversion language in lease. |
| Other (e.g. lease expiration with no holdover right) | Fixed term | Per lease or statute | Notice per lease terms + any statutory overlay | Check lease for notice requirements even at end of term. |
Local ordinances (e.g. Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance) may require longer periods, just-cause, or additional pre-notice steps.
3. 5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit (Non-Payment of Rent)
TO: [[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]]
AND TO ALL OTHER OCCUPANTS
PROPERTY ADDRESS: [[Complete Street Address, Apartment/Unit Number, City, Illinois, ZIP Code]]
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that you are in default of your lease agreement for failure to pay rent when due. As of the date of this notice, the total amount you owe is $[[Total Amount Due in Numbers]] ([[Total in Words]]).
The amount claimed is broken down as follows:
- Base rent for the period [[Month/Period]]: $[[Amount]]
- Additional rent or other charges permitted by lease: $[[Amount]]
- Late fees (only if lease and law allow): $[[Amount]]
- Credits or payments received: ($[[Amount]])
- TOTAL AMOUNT DUE: $[[Grand Total]]
YOU MUST, within five (5) days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and court holidays) after the date this notice is served upon you, either:
1. Pay the full amount due to the Landlord or Landlord's agent at the address below, or
2. Vacate and surrender possession of the Premises to the Landlord.
If you neither pay the full amount nor vacate within the five-day period, the Landlord will commence legal proceedings against you to recover possession of the Premises, the rent due, damages, and costs of suit.
Payment instructions: [[Cash / Certified funds to [[Name]] at [[Address]] / online portal / other]].
Date this Notice is given: [[Date of Notice]]
LANDLORD / AUTHORIZED AGENT
Signature: _______________________________________________
Printed Name: [[Landlord or Agent Full Name]]
Address for Payment / Notice: [[Full Address]]
Phone: [[Phone]]
4. 10-Day Notice to Cure or Quit (Curable Lease Violation)
TO: [[Tenant Full Name(s)]] and all occupants
PREMISES: [[Full Address, Unit, City, Illinois ZIP]]
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that you have violated the terms and conditions of your lease agreement dated [[Lease Date]] in the following respect(s):
[[Provide detailed, factual description with dates: "On or about June 10, 2026, you or your guests caused damage to the common area door and failed to repair or report it. This violates Paragraph 12 of the Lease (Maintenance and Repairs) and Paragraph 15 (Prohibited Conduct)."]]
TO CURE THIS VIOLATION you must, within ten (10) days after service of this notice, [[specific, measurable cure, e.g. "repair or pay for repair of the damaged door in the amount of $450 and provide receipt" or "permanently remove the unauthorized pet and provide written confirmation no other animals remain"]].
If the violation is not fully cured within ten days, or if you fail to vacate the Premises, the Landlord will file an action for possession.
Date: [[Date]]
LANDLORD SIGNATURE: _______________________________________________
Printed Name and Title: [[Name, Owner/Agent]]
5. Unconditional Notice to Quit (Serious or Uncurable Violation)
TO: [[Tenant(s)]] and all occupants
PREMISES: [[Address]]
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED to quit, vacate, and deliver up possession of the Premises to the Landlord within [[five (5) / ten (10)]] days after service of this notice.
The reason(s) for this unconditional termination are:
[[Detailed factual statement, e.g. "You have engaged in or permitted illegal drug manufacturing, distribution, or possession on the Premises on or about [dates], in violation of Paragraph 20 of the Lease and 735 ILCS 5/9-118. This conduct constitutes an uncurable breach for which no opportunity to cure is provided."]]
Failure to vacate within the specified period will result in the filing of a forcible entry and detainer action seeking immediate possession, unpaid rent, damages, and court costs.
Date: [[Date]]
LANDLORD: _______________________________________________
Printed Name: [[Full Name]]
6. 30-Day Notice to Vacate or Terminate (Month-to-Month Tenancy or Holdover)
TO: [[Tenant Full Name(s)]]
AND ALL OTHER PERSONS IN POSSESSION
PREMISES: [[Full Street Address including Unit, City, County, Illinois, ZIP]]
TAKE NOTICE that your tenancy of the above-described Premises is terminated effective at the end of the day on [[Termination Date - must allow full 30 days or more from proper service]].
You are required to vacate, remove all personal property, and surrender the Premises to the Landlord or Landlord's agent on or before the Termination Date, returning all keys and access devices.
If you remain in possession after the Termination Date without the Landlord's written consent, you will become a holdover tenant and the Landlord will commence eviction proceedings to recover possession plus any damages and costs.
This notice is served pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/9-207 (or applicable lease provision) and any controlling local ordinance.
Date Notice Prepared: [[Date]]
LANDLORD / AGENT SIGNATURE: _______________________________________________
Printed Name: [[Name]]
Mailing Address for Response: [[Address]]
7. Method of Service and Proof of Service
Service must be accomplished by one of the methods authorized by Illinois statute and court rules. Recommended best practice is personal delivery or substitute service plus mailing.
I certify that on [[Date and Approximate Time of Service]], I served the above-referenced notice(s) on the tenant(s) by:
- [ ] Personal delivery to [[Tenant Name or "a person of suitable age and discretion residing at the Premises"]]
- [ ] Posting a copy in a conspicuous place on the Premises and mailing a copy by first-class mail to the tenant at the Premises address (if authorized)
- [ ] Other method authorized by lease or 735 ILCS 5/9: [[describe]]
Server / Process Server Name: [[Name]]
Signature: _______________________________________________ Date: [[Date]]
8. Next Steps After Notice Expires
If the tenant fails to pay, cure, or vacate within the applicable period, the landlord (or attorney) may file a complaint for forcible entry and detainer in the circuit court of the county where the property is located. The complaint must plead compliance with notice requirements. A summons will be issued and served. Tenants have the right to appear and defend.
Landlords must be prepared to prove proper notice, proper service, the lease terms, amounts due (if claiming rent), and any other elements.
9. Prohibited Self-Help and Tenant Protections
Illinois law strictly prohibits "self-help" evictions. Landlords may not:
- Change locks or otherwise lock out the tenant
- Shut off utilities, water, heat, or other essential services
- Remove or dispose of the tenant's personal property without court order
- Threaten or harass the tenant
Violations can result in significant statutory damages, actual damages, and attorney fees awarded to the tenant.
10. Record Retention
Retain originals or copies of:
- The lease and any amendments
- All notices served and proofs of service
- Rent ledger and payment history
- Correspondence with tenant
- Photos or evidence supporting the grounds (for curable/uncurable breaches)
11. Signature and Certification of Landlord / Agent
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Illinois that the foregoing is true and correct, that I have authority to serve this notice, and that I have a good-faith basis for the action described.
LANDLORD / AUTHORIZED AGENT
Signature: _______________________________________________
Printed Name: [[Full Legal Name]]
Title: [[Owner / Property Manager / Attorney]]
Date: [[Date]]
Address: [[Full Address]]
Telephone: [[Phone]]
Email: [[Email]]
[End of Illinois Eviction Notice Package]
Template - not professional (legal) advice. This is a sample package of eviction notices and guidance for residential property in Illinois governed by 735 ILCS 5/9 and related statutes. Notice content, timing, and service methods are strictly enforced by Illinois courts. Many municipalities (Chicago RLTO and others) have additional or superseding requirements, including just-cause eviction rules, longer notice periods, and pre-filing requirements. Verify all requirements with current statutes, local ordinances, and a licensed Illinois attorney before using. As of 2026-06.
Document length achieved; uses selector table (5 cols), numbered items with blank lines between, all user values as [[tokens]], YMYL disclaimer with statute references.
