UPDATED: Pritzker Ending Eviction Moratorium August 1
The Will County Courthouse in Joliet. Eviction actions can begin again August 1 following the ending of Governor JB Pritzker’s eviction moratorium executive actions.
After enacting an eviction moratorium in April of 2020, Governor JB Pritzker is ending the action and allowing eviction actions to resume August 1.
From the Governor’s office:
As the state’s gradual phaseout of the pandemic eviction moratorium continues, Governor JB Pritzker today encouraged renters and landlords to apply for $500 million in existing aid and announced that an additional round of assistance will open this fall.
For Illinois renters still struggling to pay their rent, the Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP) is currently open and accepting applications for the current round of assistance until 11:59 p.m. this Sunday, July 18. Applications can be completed at: ILRPP.IHDA.org.
“Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Illinois implemented one of the largest emergency housing assistance programs in the nation – and as a result, tens of thousands of Illinois families have been able to access housing assistance so far,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “These resources have made a life-changing difference for these families, as the eviction moratorium comes to a close, we want to make sure that every eligible Illinoisan applies for this help. This year, Illinois quadrupled the relief that was available last year and were there for our residents when it mattered most. I’m pleased that we’ll be offering additional rounds of this critical funding to keep people in their homes.”
Governor Pritzker announced earlier this summer that the eviction moratorium would be lifted in August, with a gradual phaseout throughout the summer.
On July 23, the Governor will issue an Executive Order that allows eviction filings against covered persons to begin on August 1. The current prohibition on enforcement of eviction orders entered against covered persons will remain in place until August 31. Enforcement of eviction orders entered against covered persons will be allowed after August 31.
The Governor’s Office has been in close communication with members of the Illinois Supreme Court’s COVID-19 Task Force to ensure an orderly phase out of the eviction moratorium. Through a coordinated approach, we hope to relieve the potential pressure on the court system while also ensuring that tenants and landlords have every opportunity to benefit from the State’s rental assistance programs.
“Households who are behind on their rent or at risk of eviction shouldn’t wait to get help,” Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Executive Director Kristin Faust said. “IHDA staff is working to award these funds as quickly as possible to households in need. Funding is still available, and if you are struggling to make your rent, I urge you to apply for your share of support before the program closes on July 18."
"Housing providers all over the State of Illinois are doing an amazing job throughout this pandemic of keeping people housed, often at great sacrifice to themselves and their own families,” said Michael Glasser, President of the Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance. “Renters who are behind in their rent should work with their housing providers and apply for help through the State’s emergency rental assistance program.”
"The eviction moratorium has prevented renters in Illinois from facing homelessness so far during the pandemic and helped prevent the further spread of COVID-19,” said Doug Schenkelberg, Executive Director at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. “It is critical to ensure all tenants facing eviction have access to rental assistance to prevent evictions from taking place in the future."
The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) also has programs available with no deadline for rental assistance and eviction mediation. Illinois residents can visit www.illinoisrentalassistance.org to see all assistance programs available. The IDHA also plans to reopen the ILRPP in the fall with additional federal funds to further assist tenants facing eviction as a result of the pandemic.
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Pritzker announced a statewide eviction moratorium for tenants while launching emergency assistance programs that included extensive relief for renters and landlords. These efforts helped avoid a wave of evictions that would have overwhelmed shelters and created a threat to public safety.
UPDATE (6:02 P.M.):
The Chicagoland Apartment Association issued a statement Wednesday afternoon:
“Governor Pritzker is making a prudent and sensible decision in phasing out the eviction moratorium as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and our economy gets back on track. Landlords and tenants have both faced unprecedented financial pressures since the spring of 2020 when the pandemic and stay-at-home order began. Property owners and managers have been working collaboratively with tenants to set-up specialized payments plans, waive late fees, and extend grace periods to help those who were financially impacted by COVID-19, finding workable solutions to keep people in their homes. Rent relief and additional protections adopted by the courts and state and local governments will help housing providers and residents alike.”