A landlord in Illinois can evict a tenant for paying only part of the rent. Paying something is better than paying nothing, but it does not protect a tenant from eviction if the full amount owed is not paid. As a landlord, you have the right to collect the full rent you are owed under your lease, and Illinois law gives you a clear process to enforce that right. If a tenant is short on rent in 2026, the DuPage County landlord eviction lawyers at Appelman Law LLC are available 24/7 by phone to discuss your legal options.
What Does Illinois Law Say About Partial Rent Payments?
Under the Illinois Eviction Act, 735 ILCS 5/9-209, before you can evict a tenant for not paying rent, you must first give them written notice. This is called a five-day notice. It tells the tenant exactly how much they owe and gives them five days to pay the full amount or move out.