How Do You Serve a 5-Day Notice in Illinois?
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Illinois recognises 4 delivery methods for the 5-Day Notice that must precede an eviction for unpaid rent (735 ILCS 5/9-209). The method you choose sets the date the 5-day period starts, and the proof you keep is what the court will look at first.
The accepted methods
- Hand-delivered to the tenant: Deliver a copy of the notice to the tenant in person.
- Left with a person 13 or older at the premises: Leave a copy with a person 13 years of age or older who resides on or is in possession of the premises.
- Certified or registered mail, return receipt requested: Send a copy by certified or registered mail with a return receipt from the addressee. Enter the date the tenant signed for it as the service date.
- Posted on the premises (no one in actual possession): Only when no one is in actual possession of the premises: post a copy in a conspicuous place and photograph it.
When the 5 days start
The day of service is excluded and the last day is included; when the last day is a Saturday, Sunday or holiday it is excluded too. In short: 5 days after service to pay the rent demanded; the notice must carry the FULL PAYMENT sentence.
Proof to keep
- A copy of the notice exactly as served.
- The date, time, and place of service, and the name of the person who served it.
- For mail, the receipt and the signed return card; for posting, a dated photograph.
- A note of the last day of the period and the first day you can file.
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Before you serve it
- Demand only rent. Late fees and other charges belong in a separate claim, not in the five-day demand.
- Chicago and Cook County ordinances add tenant protections; check the local rules before filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I email or text the 5-Day Notice in Illinois?
A: Electronic delivery is not among the methods listed above. Use one of them; a text message is not service.
Q: What happens if I serve it the wrong way?
A: The case is dismissed for defective notice and you start over with a new 5-day notice and a new 5-day period. Serving correctly the first time is the cheapest step in the whole process.
Q: Does the day of service count?
A: The day of service is excluded and the last day is included; when the last day is a Saturday, Sunday or holiday it is excluded too.
Sources Checked
- 765 ILCS 710/1 (Security Deposit Return Act) (the Illinois statute cited above)
- 735 ILCS 5/9-209 (the Illinois notice statute)
- LeaseLenses Illinois deposit and notice data set, last reviewed 2026-09-19; the same data powers the Illinois document tools
- Illinois landlord-tenant overview and the Illinois deposit rules page
This page is general legal information for Illinois, not legal advice. Statutes change; read the current text before relying on a deadline in court.
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