Thousands of Illinoisans behind on rent could face difficult living conditions after the state’s eviction moratorium expired on Sunday.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker extended and revised Illinois’ eviction ban several times since enacting it in March 2020 amid the economic crisis sparked by COVID-19.
Now that eviction notices are enforceable, Chicago Department of Housing Commissioner Marisa Novara is directing people to legal and financial resources available to residents at risk of eviction and passing on important information regarding the process.
“Do not self-evict – only a Cook County Sheriff can evict you,” Novara said. “So even if a landlord has served you an eviction notice, it does not mean you need to move out right away, especially if you don’t have a safe place to go.”
Rentervention.com, a program by the nonprofit Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing, provides free legal help, while the city’s Chicago.gov/eviction website can connect people with financial assistance.
Nearly 70,000 Illinoisans said they’re “very likely” to leave their home due to eviction within the next two months, according to a U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey published Sept. 22.