If you are unable to pay your rent, the first thing you should do is contact your landlord and tell them that you cannot pay your rent.  Many landlords are working with their tenants so that they can remain in their homes.  You should be aware that there is currently a moratorium on all evictions in Cook County.

Can you be evicted during the Covid-19 crisis in Cook County?

The answer depends on a number of factors.

  1. If the eviction is based upon a violation of a lease term other than rent payment – evictions are paused until May 18, 2020
  2. If the eviction is because of your failure to pay rent –
  3. If you live in subsidized housing evictions and late fees are paused for 120 days – until July 25, 2020.  After that date, 30 days’ notice is required. So, the earliest that a 30-day notice could be given would be Sunday, July 26th, which period would expire on Wednesday, August 25th.
  4. If you do not reside in subsidized housing –
  5. If your landlord has a federally backed mortgage – evictions and late fees are paused for 120 days – until July 25, 2020.  After that date, 30 days’ notice is required. So, the earliest that a 30-day notice could be given would be Sunday, July 26th, which period would expire on Wednesday, August 25th.
  6. If your landlord does not have a federally backed mortgage – evictions are paused until May 18, 2020, at the earliest

 

Types of subsidized housing programs covered:

  • Public housing
  • Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program
  • Section 8 project-based housing
  • Other HUD based housing

 

Filing a bankruptcy remains an option if you want to stop an eviction.  The Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorneys at Gregory K. Stern, P.C., are available to discuss this option.