Updated July 04, 2022
An Illinois 5-Day Notice to Quit (Unlawful Activity) is a form used when a landlord finds direct evidence of unlawful activity taking place on or around their tenant’s dwelling unit. Illegal activities such as the involvement of illegal drugs, firearms, murder, or sexual assault within or upon the premises will give the landlord the ability to issue a 5-day notice to quit to the tenant named in the complaint.
Unlike most notices to quit, this notice does not allow the tenant to remedy the breach, therefore, the tenant must move out of the premises no later than five (5) days. The tenant can challenge the landlord and if that’s the case, a hearing of the complaint can be scheduled after 14 days of notice. If the defendant does not appear at the hearing, judgment for possession shall be given immediately to the plaintiff (in this case the plaintiff would be the landlord/owner).
Laws – 740 ILCS 40/11 & 765 ILCS 705/5
How to Write
Step 1 – Enter the County in which the tenant’s residential unit resides.
Step 2 – On the left, enter the landlord’s name and address vs the name on the right, which will be the tenant’s name and address.
Step 3 – There are 2 checkboxes to choose from. If the tenant committed an offense pertaining to illegal drugs on the property, select the first checkbox. If the tenant committed a CLASS X felony on the premises, select the second checkbox.
Step 4 – After selecting the appropriate checkbox, fill in the tenant’s address and a description of the rental unit.
Step 5 – Name the owner in which the tenant has to deliver possession of the rental unit.
Step 6 – Landlord should then date and sign the bottom where appropriate.
Step 7 – Complete the Affidavit of Service after the notice to quit has been delivered. Enter the County in which the tenant’s property resides and their name. Give the date the notice was served and check the method in which the tenant was served (personal delivery, leaving a copy, or posting a copy in the event the tenant was absent).