Evictions
What is the eviction process?
The Eviction Process
The following link will take you to the approved State Standardized Forms that may assist you with the eviction process: Approved Standardized Statewide Forms | Illinois Courts Please note that the Eviction Order form—found by using the Approved Standardized Statewide Forms link—is mandatory and is the only form that can be used to award possession to a landlord pursuant to the Eviction Act (735 ILCS 5/9-109.6).
You may also find valuable information at the following websites:
Illinois Legal Aid: Illinois Legal Aid Online
Illinois Court Help: Illinois Court Help (ilcourthelp.gov)
Eviction Help Illinois: call 855-631-0811 or visit Eviction Help Illinois – Legal Solutions for Your Housing Issues.
Prairie State Legal Services: call 309-794-1328 or visit Prairie State Legal Services (pslegal.org)
Rent & Utility Assistance: Illinois Court-Based Rental Assistance Program Resources Rental Resource Toolkit and Project NOW
To start the eviction process, the plaintiff will file a Complaint with the Circuit Clerk’s office and pay a filing fee. The plaintiff must attach to the Complaint a copy of the Notice that was previously served upon the defendant. If there is a lease agreement, a copy of the lease must also be attached to the Complaint. The plaintiff may choose to have the defendant served by private process server or the Rock Island County Sheriff’s Department. Civil Process fees for service through the Rock Island County Sheriff’s Department can be found on their fees page.
How are hearings scheduled?
All first return hearings are scheduled through the circuit clerk’s office (a “first return hearing” is the first hearing you will have after filing your case). You will be given your first hearing date when the Summons is issued. No contested matters will be heard at the first return hearing. The purpose of the return hearing is to see whether the Defendant has been served and, if so, appears to contest or dispute the case. If both parties appear and cannot agree to resolve or settle the case, the parties will be required to meet with a mediator (see below for more information on mediation). If mediation does not result in the case being settled, the matter will be set for a trial or a hearing on any pending Motions filed in the case.
All contested hearings (i.e., hearings on motions and trials) are scheduled on the Eviction Court calendar. The Judge will schedule these hearings and trials from the bench and inform the parties/attorneys of the trial or hearing date.
What is the eviction timeline?
Mediation in Rock Island County
Mandatory Mediation in all Evictions
The 14th Judicial Circuit Eviction Diversion Program is designed to help mitigate the surge of evictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ensuing economic fallout. Its chief goal is to assist tenants and landlords in avoiding residential eviction and pursing mutually beneficial alternatives. The program seeks to avoid exposing Rock Island County families to homelessness, while also helping landlords mitigate losses during the extraordinary circumstances that have precipitated the need for this program. Finally, it is also designed to aid the administration of justice by promoting judicial efficiency. See Local Rule 26.1A.
How Mediation Can Help You Avoid Eviction
Mediation is a process where a neutral third party, a trained mediator, helps landlords and tenants communicate to resolve through voluntary, mutual agreement. Both parties have the opportunity to speak with local agencies to gather resources and better prepare for mediation. If you have an attorney, they may attend the mediation with you. This program is free, confidential, and required for all unresolved eviction cases. Translation services are available. See the Eviction Toolkit for more information on the mediation program.
When are Mediations held?
Mediations are generally held at the first return hearing (a “first return hearing” is the first hearing you will have after the case is filed). If the parties have come to agreement without mediation, the judge will enter an Agreed Settlement Order outlining that agreement. If no agreement has been reached, the parties will be sent to the Court Administration Office to see the mediator. If the parties do not reach an agreement with the mediator, they will return to the courtroom and be given a trial date. Trials are generally scheduled for the following Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in courtroom 100.
Interested in Becoming a Volunteer Mediator?
Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer mediatory for the Rock Island County Eviction Diversion Program. This training will qualify you to serve as a mediator in the program. In this training you will learn about the Eviction Diversion Program, the basic concepts of the eviction process, and the basics of mediation to assist you in serving as a mediator.
Please view the training video below and email Dawn to indicate your interest in volunteering as a mediator for the Eviction Diversion Program. Be sure to include your contact information and current employer’s name and information.
If you are an Illinois attorney and want to apply for credit for your time volunteering as a mediator, please do so through the Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Board.
Eviction Mediation - Training Slides