Eviction Laws in Waukegan, Illinois
Waukegan is the county seat of Lake County and Illinois’s tenth-largest city, with a population of approximately 89,000. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan about 35 miles north of Chicago, Waukegan is a majority-minority city in one of the wealthiest counties in Illinois — a contrast that shapes every aspect of its rental market. The city’s demographics are approximately 32 percent White, 18 percent Black, and nearly half Hispanic — Waukegan has one of the largest Hispanic populations in the Chicago suburbs. Approximately 25 percent of residents are foreign-born, primarily from Latin America. The median household income is approximately $72,000, and the poverty rate is about 15 percent — well above the Lake County average but below the state average. Waukegan’s economy includes manufacturing, healthcare (Vista Health System), retail, and the nearby Great Lakes Naval Training Station, which generates economic activity and some rental demand. The housing stock is older (median construction year 1967) with a mix of single-family homes, two-flats, small apartment buildings, and some larger complexes. Approximately 45 percent of housing units are renter-occupied.
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 Lake County. Waukegan falls within the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit. As the county seat, the Lake County Courthouse is located in Waukegan at 18 North County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085. The Nineteenth Circuit handles a moderate volume of eviction cases — hearings are typically set within two to three weeks after filing, and the full process from filing to sheriff enforcement typically takes four to eight weeks.
Waukegan & Lake 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.
Large Hispanic and Immigrant Population. Nearly half of Waukegan’s population is Hispanic, and approximately 25 percent of residents are foreign-born. Many tenants may have limited English proficiency, which can create challenges with notice service and court proceedings. While Illinois law does not require eviction notices in any language other than English, serving notices to tenants who do not read English can result in contested hearings where tenants claim they did not understand the notice. Consider providing courtesy Spanish translations alongside the legally required English notice. Additionally, some immigrant tenants may be reluctant to engage with the court system regardless of the merits of the case — this can lead to default judgments but may also create enforcement complications.
Wealthiest County, Working-Class City. Lake County is one of the wealthiest counties in Illinois, with affluent communities like Lake Forest, Highland Park, and Libertyville. Waukegan, however, is the county’s working-class hub — with lower incomes, higher poverty, and a very different tenant profile than the surrounding Lake County suburbs. Lake County’s court system handles cases from across this economic spectrum, and Waukegan landlords should not assume the court treats working-class evictions differently from affluent-area cases — the same procedures and timelines apply countywide.
Older Housing Stock and Lead Paint. With a median construction year of 1967 and nearly 25 percent of homes built before 1940, Waukegan has a significant older housing stock. Federal law requires lead paint disclosure for all pre-1978 properties. Tenants can raise habitability defenses based on lead paint, deteriorating conditions, and code violations. Waukegan has historically faced environmental contamination issues (including Superfund sites), and some properties may have environmental disclosure requirements beyond standard lead paint disclosures.
Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Naval Station Great Lakes, located just north of Waukegan in North Chicago, is the U.S. Navy’s largest training installation and a significant regional employer. Military personnel, civilian contractors, and their families create rental demand in the Waukegan area. Military tenants are protected by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), which allows active-duty military members to terminate leases early when they receive qualifying orders. Landlords renting to military tenants should understand SCRA requirements.
Lake County Sheriff Enforcement Fees. Lake County sheriff enforcement fees for evictions can be higher than some other counties — ranging from $143 to $226 for the first hour, plus $124 per hour for additional time. Budget accordingly, as enforcement costs in Lake County may exceed those in downstate counties.
Metra Access and Commuter Tenants. Waukegan is served by the Metra Union Pacific North Line, providing commuter rail access to downtown Chicago. Properties near the Waukegan Metra station attract commuting professionals with more stable incomes than the general Waukegan tenant pool.
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. Waukegan does not impose additional local deposit requirements beyond state law.
Lake County Courthouse — Where Waukegan Landlords File
Waukegan landlords file Forcible Entry and Detainer actions at the Lake County Courthouse, located at 18 North County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085, phone (847) 377-3600, open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. E-filing is required in Illinois; file through the eFileIL system (efile.illinoiscourts.gov). The filing fee for a Forcible Entry and Detainer action varies by claim amount — typically $244 for smaller claims up to $349 for larger amounts — plus sheriff service fees. Lake County sheriff enforcement fees range from $143 to $226 for the first hour, plus $124 per additional hour. The Lake County Sheriff serves the summons on the tenant. After service, a court date is typically set within two to three weeks. If the landlord prevails, the court issues an Order for Possession. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office then enforces the eviction. 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 Lake County Sheriff.
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