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How to Look Up Eviction Records in Illinois 2026

Court portal, certified copy fees, and expungement laws for Illinois

Circuit Court (Eviction / Forcible Entry and Detainer) Court handling eviction cases
County-Level Only Online access level
$2/page (Cook) | $0.25/page (downstate) Certified copy fee (typical)
Yes Eviction record expungement available

Where to Search Illinois Eviction Records

Court: Circuit Court (Eviction / Forcible Entry and Detainer)
Online portal: County-level (search your county court clerk's website)
Certified copy fee: $2/page (Cook) | $0.25/page (downstate)

Illinois Eviction / Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) cases are filed in the Circuit Court of the county. There is no unified statewide online portal. Cook County: search at cookcountyclerkofcourt.org. Most downstate counties: search at the county circuit court clerk's website. Under 735 ILCS 5/9-213.1, eviction judgments can be expunged in some circumstances after five years. Source: 735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.

Step-by-Step: How to Search Illinois Eviction Records

  1. Identify the county court. Find the Circuit Court (Eviction / Forcible Entry and Detainer) website for the county where the property is located.
  2. Search by party name. Enter the prospective tenant's full legal name (last name, first name) as a defendant/respondent. Try name variations including maiden names.
  3. Filter by case type. Select eviction, forcible detainer, unlawful detainer, or summary possession as the case type depending on the court's terminology.
  4. Review the disposition. Identify whether the case resulted in a judgment for the landlord (eviction), dismissal (tenant won or case settled), or is still pending. A filing alone does not mean the tenant was evicted.
  5. Check the filing date. Important: Illinois has eviction record protections — Cook County Ordinance No. 20-2366; 735 ILCS 5/9-213.1. Do not make adverse screening decisions on sealed, expunged, or protected records.
  6. Request certified copies if needed. For a certified copy of the court record, contact the Circuit Court (Eviction / Forcible Entry and Detainer) clerk's office directly. Fees are typically $2/page (Cook) | $0.25/page (downstate).

Eviction Record Expungement in Illinois

Expungement Law: Cook County enacted a local ordinance during COVID to seal certain eviction records; Illinois also enacted SB 2299 (2021) limiting adverse eviction-record use for COVID-era cases.
Citation: Cook County Ordinance No. 20-2366; 735 ILCS 5/9-213.1

Landlords and screening companies may not use sealed or expunged eviction records as a basis for adverse tenant-screening decisions in Illinois. Tenants who believe their records have been improperly used may have a civil claim under the applicable statute. If a tenant discloses an expunged eviction, you may ask for context but cannot deny housing based solely on the expunged record.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I look up eviction records in Illinois?

Illinois Eviction / Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) cases are filed in the Circuit Court of the county. There is no unified statewide online portal. Cook County: search at cookcountyclerkofcourt.org. Most downstate counties: search at the county circuit court clerk's website. Under 735 ILCS 5/9-213.1, eviction judgments can be expunged in some circumstances after five years. Source: 735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.

Are eviction court records public in Illinois?

Yes — eviction court records in Illinois are presumptively public under Illinois's public records law. Eviction actions are civil court filings and are part of the court's public record, accessible by any member of the public, except for sealed or expunged records (Cook County Ordinance No. 20-2366; 735 ILCS 5/9-213.1).

Can a tenant get an eviction record removed or expunged in Illinois?

Yes. Illinois has enacted eviction record expungement or sealing protections: Cook County enacted a local ordinance during COVID to seal certain eviction records; Illinois also enacted SB 2299 (2021) limiting adverse eviction-record use for COVID-era cases. (Cook County Ordinance No. 20-2366; 735 ILCS 5/9-213.1). Tenants who qualify may petition the court to seal or vacate the eviction record.

How much does it cost to get a certified copy of an eviction court record in Illinois?

In Illinois, certified copy fees for court records are typically $2/page (Cook) | $0.25/page (downstate). Fees are set by the Circuit Court (Eviction / Forcible Entry and Detainer) and may vary by county or court location. Many courts also charge a flat certification fee on top of the per-page copy fee. Online access to basic case information (party names, filing date, disposition) is typically free through the court's public portal where available.

Related Illinois Landlord Guides

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Court portal information sourced from the Illinois court administrative office official website. Expungement laws from published Illinois statutes (see citations above). Last updated April 30, 2026. For informational purposes only — not legal advice.