Free Cook County 60-Day Notice to Non-Renewal of Lease
Cook County 60-day non-renewal notice under the Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance (RTLO) and the Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance. Notice periods scale with tenancy length; just cause may be required.
Cook County (Illinois) has its own Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance (RTLO) and a Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance that govern non-renewal of leases in covered residential properties outside the City of Chicago (which has its own RLTO). The 60-day non-renewal notice is typically required for tenancies of 6 months to 3 years; tenancies of 3+ years generally require 120 days. The Just Cause Ordinance requires landlords to have a specific permitted ground (such as failure to pay rent, lease violation, owner move-in, or substantial repairs) before refusing to renew. Many smaller landlords are exempt; consult Cook County counsel.
Cook County Cook County Non-Renewal at a Glance
Statute
Cook County RTLO
Notice Period
60 Days
Tenancy 6 mo. – 3 yr.
60 Days
Just Cause
May Apply
⚠ Cook County RTLO + Just Cause Ordinance
Cook County imposes tiered notice periods for non-renewal based on tenancy length, plus a just-cause requirement for many residential evictions. The 60-day notice is typically required for tenancies of 6 months to 3 years. Exemptions exist (owner-occupied small properties, certain unit counts). Consult Cook County landlord-tenant counsel.
How to Serve the Cook County Cook County Non-Renewal
Determine the correct notice period
Confirm the property is in Cook County (not Chicago, which has its own RLTO). Determine tenancy length: 30 days (under 6 months), 60 days (6 months – 3 years), 120 days (3+ years).
Prepare the notice
Determine whether you have a just cause for non-renewal under the Cook County Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance, or whether your property is exempt. If just cause applies, state the specific permitted ground in the notice.
Serve the notice
Prepare the written notice. State the property, the termination date, the just cause (if required), and sign. Identify the parties.
Wait the statutory period
Serve in accordance with Illinois service rules (735 ILCS 5/9-211) and any additional Cook County requirements. Personal service, substituted service, or posting; retain proof.
Document and follow up
Wait the full notice period. If the tenant remains, file an eviction (forcible entry and detainer) in Illinois circuit court (Cook County).
Generate the Cook County Notice
Complete the fields below to generate a Cook County 60-day non-renewal notice. State the lease/tenancy details and the termination date. Service must comply with Cook County RTLO and Illinois law; retain proof of service.
ℹ Cook County notice periods
30 days for tenancies under 6 months; 60 days for tenancies of 6 months to 3 years; 120 days for tenancies of 3+ years. Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance applies separately and may require specific permitted ground.
1. Notice Header (From / To / Property)
From (Landlord / Property Manager)
To (Tenant)
2. Tenancy / Lease Information
3. Notice Content
4. Signature
About This Cook County Notice
Cook County, Illinois (excluding the City of Chicago, which has its own RLTO) enacted the Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance (RTLO) and a Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance to extend tenant protections beyond statewide Illinois law. The 60-day non-renewal notice is typically required for tenancies of 6 months to 3 years. The Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance requires the landlord to have a specific permitted ground (such as failure to pay rent, lease violation, owner move-in, or substantial rehabilitation) before refusing to renew a lease in covered properties. Smaller landlords (often defined by unit count and owner-occupancy) may be exempt. The notice must state the property, the termination date, and the just cause if required. Service is per Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/9-211). Best practice: confirm the property is in Cook County (not Chicago), determine tenancy length, verify just-cause status, state a specific termination date, include any required just-cause language, serve per Illinois law, and retain proof of service. Consult Cook County landlord-tenant counsel for any contested case.
Cook County Statutory Requirements
- Ordinance: Cook County Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance (RTLO) and Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance
- Notice tiers: 30 / 60 / 120 days based on tenancy length
- Just-cause requirement for non-exempt properties
- Written form required
- Property description and termination date
- Service per Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/9-211)
Service Methods Permitted
- Personal service on tenant (735 ILCS 5/9-211)
- Substituted service — with a person 12+ at the premises
- Posting on the premises if vacant
- Certified mail — verify with local court
- Retain affidavit of service
Common Mistakes
- Confusing Cook County with Chicago — Chicago has its own RLTO
- Wrong notice tier for tenancy length
- Missing just-cause statement when required
- Vague termination date
- Assuming exemption applies without verifying
- Improper service
Best Practices
- Confirm property is in Cook County (not Chicago)
- Confirm tenancy length for correct notice tier
- Verify just-cause status — exempt or required to state ground
- State specific calendar termination date
- Include any required just-cause language
- Serve per 735 ILCS 5/9-211 — retain affidavit
- Consult Cook County counsel for any contested case
Bottom line
Cook County non-renewal notice: 30 / 60 / 120 days based on tenancy length, plus a possible just-cause requirement. Confirm property is in Cook County (not Chicago), verify tenancy length, check just-cause status, state specific termination date, serve per 735 ILCS 5/9-211, retain affidavit. Consult Cook County counsel for any contested case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cook County 60-day non-renewal notice?
A Cook County 60-day non-renewal notice is the written notice landlords use to tell a tenant the lease will not be renewed at the end of the term. Under the Cook County RTLO and Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance, 60 days is typically the required notice period for tenancies of 6 months to 3 years.
Is this for Chicago too?
No. The City of Chicago has its own Residential Landlord-Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) with different rules. This notice is for unincorporated Cook County and other Cook County municipalities covered by the RTLO. For Chicago, use the Chicago RLTO non-renewal notice.
What are the notice periods?
Cook County’s typical tiers: 30 days for tenancies under 6 months; 60 days for tenancies of 6 months to 3 years; 120 days for tenancies of 3+ years. The Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance applies separately and may require a specific permitted ground.
Do I need just cause?
The Cook County Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance requires landlords of covered properties to have a permitted ground (such as failure to pay rent, lease violation, owner move-in, or substantial rehabilitation) before refusing to renew a lease. Smaller landlords (often defined by unit count and owner-occupancy) may be exempt. Consult Cook County counsel.
How must I serve the notice?
Service must comply with Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/9-211): personal service, substituted service with a person 12+ at the premises, or posting if the premises are vacant. Retain an affidavit of service — required for any eviction action.
What if the tenant doesn’t vacate?
If the tenant has not vacated by the termination date, the landlord may file a forcible entry and detainer action in Illinois circuit court for Cook County. The court can issue a judgment for possession; the sheriff then executes the lockout.
Screen Cook County tenants thoroughly before move-in
The best termination notice is the one you never need to send. Tenant Screening Background Check has been verifying renters since 2004 — credit, eviction filings, criminal background, and employment — across all 50 states and DC.
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