Eviction Laws in Kankakee, Illinois
Kankakee is the county seat of Kankakee County, located roughly 55 miles south of Chicago along the Kankakee River, with a population of approximately 24,000 and declining — the city has lost nearly 7 percent of its residents since 2019. Kankakee is one of the most economically challenged cities in the Chicago metro area: the poverty rate exceeds 25 percent, the median household income is around $47,500, the unemployment rate significantly exceeds state and national averages, and the city has never fully recovered from the loss of its manufacturing base. The racial composition is approximately 44 percent White and 40 percent Black, making Kankakee one of the most racially diverse small cities in Illinois. Major employers include Riverside Medical Center, CSL Behring (a biopharmaceutical manufacturer), Kankakee Community College, Kankakee County government, and a scattering of food processing and distribution operations. Nearly half of all housing units in the city are renter-occupied, and the overall vacancy rate exceeds 17 percent — reflecting both population decline and an aging housing stock that includes many uninhabitable properties.
Illinois eviction law — the Forcible Entry and Detainer Act (735 ILCS 5/9) — requires landlords to serve a written notice before filing suit. For nonpayment of rent, a 5-day notice to pay or quit is required. For lease violations, a 10-day notice to cure or quit applies. Month-to-month tenancies require 30 days’ notice to terminate. Once the notice period expires without compliance, the landlord files a Forcible Entry and Detainer complaint with the Circuit Court of Kankakee County in the 21st Judicial Circuit. Because Kankakee is the county seat, the courthouse is right in town. The 21st Judicial Circuit has a full-time Spanish interpreter on staff and offers Zoom appearances for certain proceedings — check with the clerk’s office for current remote-hearing options. The eviction docket moves quickly, with hearings typically set within one to two weeks of filing.
Kankakee & Kankakee County — Local Rules That Affect Landlords
No rent control. The Illinois Rent Control Preemption Act (50 ILCS 825) prohibits any municipality from enacting rent control or rent stabilization ordinances.
Extreme Vacancy and Nonpayment Risk. Kankakee’s 17 percent vacancy rate is the highest of any city on this list, and the 25 percent poverty rate means that a large share of the tenant pool has unstable or insufficient income. Nonpayment of rent is overwhelmingly the most common eviction trigger. With median rents around $1,023, the cost of an eviction filing (~$234) represents nearly a quarter of one month’s rent — making every screening decision a direct financial calculation. Landlords who accept tenants without thorough income verification are effectively gambling with their operating margin.
Aging and Uninhabitable Housing Stock. A significant portion of Kankakee’s rental inventory is old, poorly maintained, and in some cases structurally compromised. The City of Kankakee has been aggressive about condemning uninhabitable properties, and code enforcement actions have increased in recent years. Tenants who raise habitability defenses in eviction proceedings — citing heating failures, plumbing issues, mold, pest infestations, or structural hazards — can delay or defeat an otherwise valid eviction. If you own older rental property in Kankakee, invest in proactive maintenance and keep thorough records of all repairs, inspections, and tenant communications.
Racial Diversity and Fair Housing. Kankakee’s roughly equal White and Black population — combined with a growing Hispanic community — makes fair housing compliance especially important. Familiarize yourself with both the federal Fair Housing Act and the Illinois Human Rights Act. Apply screening criteria uniformly to all applicants. Document your decision-making process for each application to protect yourself against discrimination claims, which can be raised as defenses or counterclaims in eviction proceedings.
No Cell Phones in Courthouse. The Kankakee County Courthouse does not allow cell phones, tablets, or laptops for general court business. Lockers are available at the security station. Plan accordingly when attending eviction hearings — bring paper copies of all documents, lease agreements, notices, and evidence.
Zoom Appearances Available. The 21st Judicial Circuit offers Zoom appearances for certain court proceedings. Contact the clerk’s office to confirm whether your eviction hearing qualifies for remote appearance and to obtain the Zoom link. Zoom privileges can be revoked for inappropriate behavior or inattention.
Security Deposits. Illinois state law (765 ILCS 710 and 715) governs deposit handling. Deposits must be returned within 30 days of move-out (or 45 days if itemized deductions are claimed). Properties with 25 or more units must pay annual interest on deposits. Kankakee does not impose additional local deposit requirements beyond state law. Document unit condition at move-in and move-out with dated photographs and a signed checklist.
Kankakee County Courthouse — Where Kankakee Landlords File
Kankakee landlords file Forcible Entry and Detainer actions at the Kankakee County Courthouse, located at 450 E. Court Street, Kankakee, IL 60901, phone (815) 937-2915 (Circuit Clerk), open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. File a Complaint for Forcible Entry and Detainer using standardized Illinois Supreme Court forms (required for residential evictions under 735 ILCS 5/9-109.6) and pay the filing fee of approximately $234. The Kankakee County Sheriff serves the summons on the tenant. After service, a court date is typically set within one to two weeks. If the landlord prevails at trial, the court issues an Order for Possession. The Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office then enforces the eviction, typically within one to two weeks. The courthouse is located in downtown Kankakee with parking available in nearby lots. Remember: no cell phones or electronic devices are permitted in the courthouse for general court business — bring paper copies of all documents. Self-help eviction — changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities without a court order — is illegal under Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.) and the only entity authorized to physically remove a tenant is the Kankakee County Sheriff.
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