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Illinois 5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate

Illinois 5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate

Download the Illinois 5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate for residential nonpayment situations. This Illinois-specific self-help product is ready for instant secure access and includes the three editable Word files listed below.

  • editable Word format
  • Attorney-reviewed notice materials
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee

What you receive for Illinois

This Illinois notice package helps document the rent demanded, full-payment waiver language, service details, and records a landlord should keep before deciding whether an eviction filing is the next step.

Illinois 5-day rent notice

Built for the Illinois 735 ILCS 5/9-209 rent-demand process, including the prominent full-payment waiver statement and service record.

Editable self-help files

Download the editable Word files, customize the notice on your own device, and keep a completed or served copy for your records.

Notice period and service focus

Use the notice to document the rental issue, deadline, delivery details, and next-step record before any further landlord-tenant action.

Included notice documents

This product includes three editable Microsoft Word files: the 5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate, Mailing / Delivery Cover Sheet, and #10 Mailing Envelope.

  • 5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate Tenant-facing notice with landlord use notes, affidavit / record of service, and record checklist Word
  • Mailing / Delivery Cover Sheet Companion cover for mailed or hand-delivered notices Word
  • #10 Mailing Envelope Pre-formatted envelope with return and recipient blocks Word

Self-help notice overview

Using an Illinois 5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate

A written Illinois 5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate helps document the landlord, tenant, premises, rent demanded, service date, full-payment waiver language, and records to keep before any court filing.

Illinois law, local ordinances, federal requirements, subsidized-housing rules, and lease terms can affect timing, service, pay-and-stay rights, and next steps. Review the state-specific page information and completed notice carefully before serving it.

A notice is not a completed eviction judgment. If the tenant does not pay or vacate after proper notice, a landlord may still need to follow the Illinois eviction court process before possession can change.

About this Illinois 5-Day Notice package

This page highlights the current downloadable Illinois 5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate package, including the files included with this product. The state-specific guidance below explains required full-payment language, service, local-rule, and usage considerations before checkout.

Illinois notice requirements and usage notes

The complete notice form is available immediately after checkout. Use the state-specific guidance below to understand timing, service, and next-step considerations before you complete and serve the notice.

Get Complete Form — $9.99
Last reviewed June 14, 2026

ILRG editorial team reviewed the public guidance summary against the sources linked here.

Primary sources

Primary sources are linked for self-help research. Confirm current state, local, Chicago/Cook County, federal, and lease requirements before serving a notice.

Quick answer

Use this Illinois 5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate when a residential tenant has not paid rent and you need the written demand before filing an eviction action under 735 ILCS 5/9-209.

Notice type 5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate
Main use Non-payment of rent
Included materials Notice, mailing/delivery cover sheet, and #10 envelope (all editable Word)
Important point The notice must prominently state that only FULL payment waives termination unless the landlord agrees in writing to partial payment

Before you use this notice

  • Confirm the exact rent amount due and the date it became due.
  • Include the prominent “Only FULL PAYMENT…” statement required by 735 ILCS 5/9-209.
  • Serve using a method allowed by 735 ILCS 5/9-211: personal delivery, leaving with a resident age 13 or older, or certified/registered mail with return receipt.
  • Post only if no one is in actual possession of the premises.
  • Keep proof of service and a copy of the exact notice served.
  • Check Chicago, Cook County, other local ordinances, and any federal or subsidized-housing rules before filing.

Illinois 5-day demand and required language

735 ILCS 5/9-209 lets a landlord demand payment after rent is due and notify the tenant in writing that the lease will terminate unless payment is made within a stated time of not less than five days after service.

The statute requires the notice to prominently state that only full payment of the rent demanded waives the landlord’s right to terminate under the notice, unless the landlord agrees in writing to continue the lease for partial payment.

Service and local rules to verify

  • Posting is allowed only when no one is in actual possession of the premises.
  • Chicago and suburban Cook County can add pay-and-stay rights and other local requirements.
  • Federal or subsidized-housing rules may require longer or different notice.
  • The notice is a prerequisite step, not a court order; eviction still requires filing and judgment.

What happens after service

If the tenant pays the full amount demanded within the notice period, the lease may continue. If the tenant does not pay or move out, the landlord may file an eviction action; only a court order and sheriff process can remove a tenant.

State-specific caution

Illinois service rules are strict, and incorrect posting is a common risk. Chicago, Cook County, other municipal ordinances, and federal or subsidized-housing rules can change notice content, timing, and cure rights.

Read the detailed state notes
Illinois 5-Day Notice / Demand for Rent

Last Updated: June 14, 2026.

About this Form

This Illinois package includes editable Microsoft Word files for nonpayment-of-rent situations: the 5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate, a mailing/delivery cover sheet, and a #10 envelope. Under 735 ILCS 5/9-209, the notice must demand rent and give a period of not less than five days after service before termination.

Required payment language

Illinois law requires the notice to prominently state that only full payment of the rent demanded waives the landlord's right to terminate under the notice, unless the landlord agrees in writing to continue the lease in exchange for partial payment.

Service and local cautions

Service methods are governed by 735 ILCS 5/9-211. Posting is allowed only when no one is in actual possession of the premises. Chicago, Cook County, other local ordinances, federal requirements, and subsidized-housing rules can change notice content, timing, or cure rights.

Ready to download the Illinois notice? The complete notice file is available immediately after secure checkout.

Get Complete Form — $9.99

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Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Notices to Pay Rent or Vacate

Yes. This product is the Illinois 5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate page, and the downloadable files shown on this page are Illinois-specific.

This Illinois product includes three editable Microsoft Word files: the 5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate (with landlord use notes, a service record, and a record checklist), a Mailing / Delivery Cover Sheet, and a #10 Mailing Envelope.

Yes. All three files are editable Microsoft Word documents. Fill in and customize the notice on your own device before serving it, and keep a copy of exactly what you served. Illinois requires the full-payment waiver statement to be included prominently, so take care not to remove or weaken that language when editing.

This notice is commonly used for Illinois residential nonpayment situations before a landlord decides whether to file an eviction action. The proper notice period, service method, local pay-and-stay rights, and wording can vary based on state law, local ordinances, federal requirements, subsidized housing, and lease terms.

No. A notice is typically an early step before any court eviction filing. If the tenant does not comply after proper notice, the landlord may still need to follow the Illinois court eviction process and local service requirements. Only a court order and lawful enforcement process can remove a tenant.

No. ILRG provides self-help legal forms and information, not legal advice. You are responsible for reviewing the completed notice, lease terms, state law, local rules, and court requirements before serving or relying on it.

Download Illinois Notice to Vacate / Quit Form — $9.99