The Illinois Summons in Eviction (Form EV-S 1502.1, rev. 02/24) is the court-issued notice that officially commands a tenant or unknown occupant to appear in court and answer a landlord’s eviction complaint filed under the Illinois Eviction Article. Without a properly completed and properly served summons, the circuit court has no personal jurisdiction over the tenant, and any judgment for possession is void.
Illinois circuit courts process more than 40,000 eviction filings each year, and Cook County alone accounts for over half of them. A 2023 Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing report found that nearly 1 in 5 pro se eviction filings in Cook County contain a defective summons or return date error, which delays cases by weeks and forces refiling at full cost.
- 📄 How to download and complete every box on the statewide Illinois Summons in Eviction (EV-S 1502.1)
- ⏰ How to pick a legal return date (7–40 days out) so your case is not dismissed
- 🏛️ How to e-file through Odyssey eFileIL and when paper filing is still allowed
- 💵 Current 2026 filing fees by county and sheriff service costs
- 🧑⚖️ Three full filled-out examples covering nonpayment, holdover, and post-foreclosure cases
What the Illinois Summons in Eviction Is and Who Must File It
The Illinois Summons in Eviction is the formal court order, signed by the circuit clerk, that tells the defendant a lawsuit has been filed and sets the first court date. It is governed by 735 ILCS 5/9-107 for service rules and by Illinois Supreme Court Rule 101(b) for the form’s content. The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice approved the standardized statewide form in 2018 and last revised it in February 2024.
Anyone seeking to recover possession of residential or commercial property in Illinois must file this summons along with their Eviction Complaint (EV-C 1501.1). That includes private landlords, property managers acting through counsel, condominium associations enforcing assessments, mobile home park operators under the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act, and post-foreclosure purchasers removing holdover occupants under 735 ILCS 5/15-1701.
The summons works in tandem with the pre-suit notice (5-Day for nonpayment, 10-Day for lease violations, or 30-Day for month-to-month terminations) required by 735 ILCS 5/9-209. Without the summons, the tenant has no formal notice of the court date, and the sheriff or special process server cannot effect service. The penalty for filing a defective summons ranges from a clerk’s rejection at intake to outright dismissal of the case after appearance, costing the landlord weeks of unpaid rent.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Pulling together every piece of information before you open the form prevents typos, missed return dates, and the most common reason for clerk rejection: blank required fields. The Illinois Supreme Court’s Get Legal Help portal recommends gathering all source documents in one folder before starting.
- Signed lease or rental agreement. You need the exact spelling of every adult tenant’s name as it appears on the lease, because a name mismatch on the summons can defeat service.
- Pre-suit notice and proof of delivery. The 5-Day, 10-Day, or 30-Day notice and your affidavit of service or certified mail receipt prove the statutory waiting period expired before filing.
- Property address with unit number. The full street address, unit, city, county, and ZIP must match the lease and the complaint exactly, or the sheriff will return the summons unserved.
- Defendant’s current mailing address if different. If the tenant has moved or accepts mail elsewhere, you need that address for substitute service under 735 ILCS 5/2-203.
- Amount of unpaid rent and late fees. The dollar amount goes on the complaint and may be referenced on the summons cover; missing this number forces an amended pleading.
- Plaintiff’s legal name and capacity. If the landlord is an LLC, you must use the exact name on file with the Illinois Secretary of State because LLCs must appear through counsel.
- Attorney ARDC number. Licensed Illinois attorneys must include their ARDC registration number on the summons; pro se filers leave that line blank and write “pro se.”
- County and division. You must know whether your case belongs in the First Municipal District (Cook County downtown), a suburban municipal district, or a downstate circuit court division because the filing fee and return-date window differ.
- Filing fee payment method. Odyssey eFileIL accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and ACH; Cook County’s fee for a joint action eviction in 2026 is approximately $337, while DuPage County charges around $246.
- Email address for service of court documents. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 11 requires a valid email for electronic service, and a wrong address means missed orders.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official statewide Illinois Summons in Eviction is hosted on the Illinois Courts website as a fillable PDF. Download the current version directly from the Approved Statewide Forms – Eviction page so you have the 02/24 revision and not an outdated copy. Cook County also publishes a locally formatted version through the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County forms library, which auto-populates the district and division fields.
You can complete the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader or directly inside the Odyssey eFileIL guided interview when you start a new case. The guided interview validates the return date in real time and rejects dates outside the 7–40-day window. Self-represented filers without a computer may visit any Illinois court self-help center to use a public terminal.
If you prefer paper, most counties still accept paper filings from self-represented litigants under the e-filing exemption in Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(c). You print three copies: the original for the court, one for the sheriff, and one for your records. Always confirm with the local circuit clerk because counties like Cook still require attorneys to e-file even when pro se litigants may submit paper.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Illinois Summons in Eviction Line by Line
The statewide form fits on one page front and back, but every field carries legal weight. Use italicized sample text below to see exactly what gets typed into each box. Work top to bottom, and never skip a field — even ones that look optional.
Caption Box: Judicial Circuit and County
The top caption asks which circuit and county will hear the case. Type the circuit number and the county name in all caps, for example CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWELFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Cook County filers instead write CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS and add the district on the next line.
A nuance: if the rental property sits in one county but the tenant lives in another, venue is proper where the property is located under 735 ILCS 5/9-106. The most common mistake here is filing in the wrong county because the landlord’s home is elsewhere, and the consequence is a venue transfer that delays the case 30–60 days. A widespread misconception is that you can file “wherever is convenient” — you cannot.
District/Division (Cook County Only)
Cook County requires the filer to mark First Municipal District (Chicago) or one of the suburban districts (Second through Sixth). Marcus, a landlord with a two-flat in Skokie, marks Second Municipal District – Skokie because Skokie sits in the Second District. Picking the wrong district sends the file to the wrong courthouse and the clerk rejects it on intake.
The edge case here is mixed-use buildings on district borders; check the Cook County district map before filing. The misconception is that all Cook County evictions go to the Daley Center — only First Municipal cases do.
Plaintiff’s Name
Enter the full legal name of the landlord exactly as it appears on the deed, lease, or LLC registration. Aisha Bennett, who owns her rental in her own name, writes AISHA BENNETT. If the property is held by Bennett Holdings LLC, that is the plaintiff and an attorney must sign because LLCs cannot proceed pro se under Illinois corporate practice law.
A common mistake is listing a property manager as plaintiff when the LLC is the actual owner; this draws a motion to dismiss for lack of standing. The misconception is that “doing business as” names can be used alone — the legal entity name must come first, with the d/b/a after.
Defendant’s Name(s) and “Unknown Occupants”
List every adult tenant on the lease, then add the magic phrase and All Unknown Occupants on a separate line. Carlos and Maria Rivera, who jointly lease the unit, are listed as CARLOS RIVERA and MARIA RIVERA, and All Unknown Occupants. Without the unknown occupants language, anyone not named on the summons can stay after a possession order.
The nuance: if you suspect a subtenant or guest has moved in, you may add John Doe and Jane Doe as placeholder names. The mistake of leaving off “All Unknown Occupants” is the single most common reason landlords have to refile after the sheriff’s eviction. The misconception is that a possession judgment automatically covers everyone in the unit — it does not.
Case Number
Leave this blank. The circuit clerk assigns the case number when the complaint is accepted. Filers who write in a guessed number trigger an immediate rejection at e-filing intake.
The edge case is amended summonses, where you copy the original case number into this box exactly as the clerk issued it. The misconception is that the filer creates the case number — only the clerk does.
Address of Property Sought to Be Recovered
Type the full street address, unit number, city, county, and ZIP exactly as it appears on the lease. Janet, evicting a tenant from a Rockford duplex, writes 1422 N. Court St., Unit 2, Rockford, Winnebago County, IL 61103. Missing the unit number is fatal because the sheriff cannot serve the wrong door.
A nuance: rural properties without a street number must use the legal description from the deed plus a parcel identification number. The mistake of using a P.O. Box for the property address voids the summons because evictions require a physical premises. The misconception is that the mailing address and property address are interchangeable — they are not.
Return Date
This is the most-failed field on the entire form. Under 735 ILCS 5/9-107, the return date must be not less than 7 days nor more than 40 days after the summons is issued. Aisha files on June 3, 2026, and writes July 8, 2026 at 9:30 a.m., Courtroom 1408 — exactly 35 days out, well inside the window.
The nuance is local: Cook County’s First Municipal District auto-assigns return dates through the Odyssey system, while downstate counties make you pick. The mistake of choosing a date 6 days out or 41 days out causes immediate dismissal under Avdich v. Kleinert, 69 Ill.2d 1 (1977). The misconception is that you can pick “any Monday in the next two months” — you cannot.
Time and Courtroom
Enter the exact time and courtroom assigned by the local court’s eviction call. In Cook County First Municipal, eviction calls are held at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 1408 at the Daley Center. In DuPage County, the call is at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom 2007 of the DuPage County Courthouse.
The edge case is virtual Zoom calls, which many counties continue post-pandemic; include the Zoom ID in this box if your county uses one. Writing the wrong time means the tenant appears, you do not, and the case is dismissed for want of prosecution. The misconception is that “morning” or “afternoon” is good enough — the form requires a specific clock time.
Amount Claimed (Joint Action Cases Only)
If you seek both possession and back rent in the same case (a “joint action”), enter the total dollar amount of unpaid rent through the date of filing. Marcus is owed $4,250.00 in back rent and writes that figure in the box. Possession-only filers leave this box blank.
The nuance is late fees: include them only if the lease specifically authorizes them under the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance or local equivalent. The mistake of inflating this number invites a counterclaim and possible sanctions. The misconception is that you can add attorney’s fees here — those go in a separate post-judgment petition.
Plaintiff’s Attorney Information
Attorneys enter their name, ARDC number, firm name, address, phone, and email. Pro se filers write PRO SE on the attorney line and fill in their own contact information below. The email address is critical because Rule 11 service of all post-summons documents goes there.
The edge case is law student appearances under Supreme Court Rule 711, which require a supervising attorney’s ARDC number. The mistake of omitting the ARDC number on an attorney filing causes the clerk to reject the e-filing envelope. The misconception is that paralegals can sign — they cannot.
Clerk’s Signature and Seal
Leave blank. The circuit clerk signs and applies the seal when the summons is issued, either electronically through Odyssey or with a physical stamp at the counter.
The nuance is that an unsigned summons is not legally a summons at all — service of an unsigned copy is void. The mistake of trying to print and serve before clerk issuance is a fatal procedural error. The misconception is that filing equals issuance — the clerk must affirmatively issue the summons after accepting the filing.
Service Information Section (Back of Form)
The reverse side has the sheriff or special process server’s return of service. The server fills it in, not the landlord. It records the date, time, manner of service (personal, abode, or posting under 735 ILCS 5/9-107), and the server’s signature.
The edge case is service by posting, allowed only after a court order finding diligent inquiry failed. The mistake of accepting an incomplete return of service means the case cannot proceed to default. The misconception is that mailing the summons yourself counts as service — it does not.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three scenarios below show how three different Illinois landlords complete the summons from caption to attorney block. Each table reflects exactly what gets typed in the fillable PDF.
Scenario 1: Aisha Bennett – Nonpayment of Rent in Chicago
Aisha owns a one-bedroom condo in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago. Her tenant, Carlos Rivera, missed April and May 2026 rent totaling $3,400. She served a 5-Day Notice on May 6 and is filing a joint action on June 3, 2026.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Court Caption | CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS |
| District | First Municipal District – Daley Center |
| Plaintiff | AISHA BENNETT |
| Defendant | CARLOS RIVERA, and All Unknown Occupants |
| Property Address | 2614 N. Milwaukee Ave., Unit 3R, Chicago, Cook County, IL 60647 |
| Return Date | July 8, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. |
| Courtroom | Courtroom 1408, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St. |
| Amount Claimed | $3,400.00 |
| Attorney | PRO SE – Aisha Bennett, 773-555-0144, abennett@email.com |
Scenario 2: Marcus Hill – Holdover Tenant in Skokie
Marcus owns a two-flat in Skokie. His upstairs tenant, Janet Wu, refused to leave after her one-year lease expired on April 30, 2026. He served a 30-Day Notice on March 28 and is filing for possession only on May 4, 2026, through his attorney.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Court Caption | CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS |
| District | Second Municipal District – Skokie Courthouse |
| Plaintiff | MARCUS HILL |
| Defendant | JANET WU, and All Unknown Occupants |
| Property Address | 5301 W. Oakton St., Unit 2, Skokie, Cook County, IL 60077 |
| Return Date | June 5, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. |
| Courtroom | Courtroom 203, 5600 Old Orchard Rd. |
| Amount Claimed | (blank – possession only) |
| Attorney | Lee & Park LLP, ARDC #6312987, 847-555-0190 |
Scenario 3: Riverbend Holdings LLC – Post-Foreclosure Occupant in Joliet
Riverbend Holdings purchased a foreclosed single-family home in Joliet at the May 2026 sheriff’s sale. The former owner, David Park, refuses to vacate. Riverbend’s attorney files an eviction under 735 ILCS 5/15-1701 on May 18, 2026.
| Form Section | What Riverbend Enters |
|---|---|
| Court Caption | CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWELFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS |
| District | (not applicable – downstate) |
| Plaintiff | RIVERBEND HOLDINGS LLC |
| Defendant | DAVID PARK, and All Unknown Occupants |
| Property Address | 812 Cedar Ln., Joliet, Will County, IL 60435 |
| Return Date | June 22, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. |
| Courtroom | Courtroom 207, Will County Courthouse, 100 W. Jefferson St. |
| Amount Claimed | (blank – possession only) |
| Attorney | Patel Law Group, ARDC #6298401, 815-555-0177 |
How to File the Completed Form
Filing in Illinois happens through one of three channels, and each carries its own fees, processing times, and proof-of-filing rules. Attorneys must e-file under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9, while self-represented litigants may choose any channel.
E-filing through Odyssey eFileIL is the default. Go to the Odyssey eFileIL portal, select your county, choose case category Eviction (Forcible Entry and Detainer), upload the summons and complaint as separate PDFs, and pay by credit card or ACH. Cook County’s joint action filing fee in 2026 is approximately $337; possession-only is roughly $237. DuPage charges about $246, Lake County about $252, and Will County about $233. Processing time is usually 1–3 business days, and your proof of filing is the file-stamped PDF the system emails back.
Paper filing in person remains available to pro se litigants in most counties. Bring three copies of the summons and complaint plus the filing fee in cash, money order, or check to the circuit clerk’s office for your county. The clerk file-stamps the originals on the spot and returns one copy as your proof of filing. Same-day issuance is typical.
Paper filing by mail is allowed by some downstate counties but not Cook. Mail three copies, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check for the filing fee to the circuit clerk. Processing takes 5–10 business days, and your proof of filing is the file-stamped copy returned in your SASE. Once issued, you must arrange service through the county sheriff (around $60 per defendant in Cook County, $35–$50 elsewhere) or a licensed special process server ($75–$150).
What Happens After You File
After the clerk issues the summons, you or the sheriff serves it on the defendant under 735 ILCS 5/9-107. Personal service requires handing the summons directly to the named defendant; abode service allows leaving it with a household member 13 or older and mailing a copy. The sheriff returns the completed proof of service to the court, where it becomes part of the record.
On the return date, both sides appear in court. If the defendant fails to appear, the court enters a default judgment for possession and any money damages requested. If the defendant appears and contests, the judge may set a trial date or order mediation through programs like the Cook County Early Resolution Program.
After judgment, you wait the statutory stay (typically 7–14 days, sometimes longer under the judge’s discretion) before requesting a sheriff’s eviction. The sheriff schedules the physical eviction 7–60 days out depending on county workload. Cook County’s Sheriff’s Eviction Unit handles approximately 25,000 evictions per year, so scheduling delays are common.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Choosing a return date outside the 7–40-day window. This causes automatic dismissal and forces refiling at full cost.
- Omitting “and All Unknown Occupants” from the defendant block. Anyone not named can remain after the possession order is enforced.
- Using a P.O. Box as the property address. The sheriff cannot serve a P.O. Box, and the case stalls.
- Listing a property manager as plaintiff instead of the LLC owner. This triggers dismissal for lack of standing.
- LLC plaintiff filing pro se. Illinois law requires LLCs to appear through licensed counsel.
- Missing the unit or apartment number. The sheriff serves the wrong door, returning the summons unserved.
- Filing in the wrong county or district. Venue must match the property location.
- Inflating the amount claimed. Padding back rent invites sanctions and credibility damage at trial.
- Forgetting the ARDC number on attorney filings. Odyssey rejects the entire filing envelope.
- Pre-signing the clerk’s signature line. An unsigned (or improperly signed) summons is void.
- Filing before the pre-suit notice period expires. The case is dismissed as premature under 735 ILCS 5/9-209.
- Wrong courtroom or time. Missing your own court call leads to dismissal for want of prosecution.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do download the most current 02/24 revision from the Illinois Courts forms page because outdated versions are rejected at intake.
- Do count the return date carefully on a calendar to confirm it falls between 7 and 40 days because off-by-one errors are the leading cause of dismissal.
- Do include “and All Unknown Occupants” on every residential summons because subtenants and guests are common.
- Do match the property address to the lease character by character because mismatches defeat service.
- Do keep the file-stamped PDF the e-filing system returns because it is your only proof of filing.
- Do confirm sheriff service fees in advance because unpaid fees mean the summons sits in a drawer.
- Don’t guess the case number because only the clerk assigns it.
- Don’t sign the clerk’s line because only the clerk can issue the summons.
- Don’t file in your home county if the property is elsewhere because venue is mandatory.
- Don’t skip the pre-suit notice waiting period because premature filings are dismissed.
- Don’t use abbreviations in defendant names because the sheriff and the court need exact legal names.
- Don’t forget to e-serve opposing counsel after appearance because Rule 11 service is mandatory.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
- Pro – Pro se filing saves money. No attorney fee, only the court filing fee, which matters for small landlords with one or two units.
- Pro – Pro se gives you full control. You decide the timing, the strategy, and the negotiation posture without intermediaries.
- Pro – Online tools have improved. Resources like Illinois Legal Aid Online’s Easy Form walk pro se filers through the summons step by step.
- Pro – Most uncontested cases are simple. Default judgments make up the majority of Illinois eviction outcomes, and the paperwork is straightforward.
- Pro – Faster startup. No conflict checks or retainer agreements to slow the first filing.
- Con – LLCs cannot file pro se. Owners holding property in an entity must hire counsel.
- Con – One field error can cost weeks. Return-date or service mistakes restart the clock and the unpaid rent meter.
- Con – Contested cases get complex fast. Tenant defenses under the Chicago RLTO or implied warranty of habitability often need a lawyer.
- Con – No fee-shifting without counsel. Many leases let landlords recover attorney’s fees, but only if there is an attorney.
- Con – Emotional toll. Standing in court across from a tenant you know personally is harder than most landlords expect.
Statewide vs. Cook County Local Practice
Illinois uses a single statewide form, but local rules add wrinkles. The table below highlights the most important differences for filers in Cook versus other counties.
| Practice Point | Cook County / Statewide |
|---|---|
| Form Used | EV-S 1502.1 (rev. 02/24) statewide; Cook County may overlay local cover |
| E-filing Required for Attorneys | Yes – mandatory in all counties under Rule 9 |
| Filing Fee (Joint Action 2026) | Cook ≈ $337; DuPage ≈ $246; Will ≈ $233; Lake ≈ $252 |
| Return Date Assignment | Cook auto-assigns via Odyssey; downstate filer picks |
| Sheriff Service Fee | Cook ≈ $60; downstate $35–$50 |
| Eviction Mediation | Cook Early Resolution Program mandatory; many downstate counties optional |
| Stay After Judgment | 7 days standard; up to 60 days for hardship in Cook |
| Sheriff Eviction Wait Time | Cook 30–60 days; downstate 7–21 days |
FAQs
Do I need a lawyer to file an Illinois eviction summons?
No. Individual landlords filing on behalf of themselves can file pro se, but LLCs, corporations, and trusts must appear through a licensed Illinois attorney under Supreme Court Rule 722.
Can I pick any return date I want?
No. The return date must fall between 7 and 40 days after the clerk issues the summons under 735 ILCS 5/9-107, or the case is dismissed.
Do I write the case number on the summons before filing?
No. Leave the case number blank because only the circuit clerk assigns it when accepting the filing through Odyssey eFileIL.
Should I include “and All Unknown Occupants” even if I know everyone in the unit?
Yes. Always include the phrase because guests, subtenants, or new occupants may move in before the sheriff’s eviction.
Can I list “John Smith d/b/a Smith Rentals” as the plaintiff?
Yes. Sole proprietors may file in their personal name with a d/b/a after, but LLC owners must list the LLC as plaintiff.
Do I sign the clerk’s signature line if I am pro se?
No. Only the circuit clerk signs and issues the summons; a filer-signed summons is void and cannot be served.
Can I serve the summons myself?
No. Service must be made by the county sheriff or a court-appointed special process server under 735 ILCS 5/9-107.
Is a P.O. Box acceptable for the property address?
No. The property address must be a physical premises because the sheriff serves and later evicts at that location.
Do I need to attach the 5-Day Notice to the summons?
No. The notice is attached to the complaint, not the summons, but proof of service of the notice must be in the court file.
Can I file in my home county if the rental is elsewhere?
No. Venue must be where the property sits under 735 ILCS 5/9-106, and filing elsewhere triggers a transfer that delays the case.
What if the tenant’s name on the lease is misspelled?
Yes, you should still use the spelling on the lease, and add “also known as” with the correct spelling so the sheriff can serve either way.
Do I include late fees in the amount claimed box?
Yes, but only if the lease specifically authorizes them and the local ordinance (such as the Chicago RLTO) permits the amount.
Can I e-file without an attorney?
Yes. Self-represented litigants can register a free Odyssey eFileIL account and file directly, or use a public computer at any court self-help center.
What happens if I miss my own return date?
No judgment is entered for you; the court dismisses the case for want of prosecution and you must refile and pay the fee again.
Is the Illinois summons in eviction the same as a writ of possession?
No. The summons starts the case, while the order and writ of possession is what the sheriff uses to physically remove the tenant after judgment.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Illinois 10-Day Notice (Eviction) (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois 5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Civil Summons (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Complaint in Eviction (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Judgment for Possession (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Summons – Small Claims (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form LT 01 (w/Examples) + FAQs