Your Chicago Business Deserves a Fighter in Your Corner.
When your landlord threatens your livelihood, you need an attorney who knows Illinois commercial tenant law inside and out. Tenants Rights Group defends small business owners across Chicago and Cook County.
Illinois law imposes strict procedural requirements on commercial landlords before any eviction can proceed. If your landlord has skipped even one step, you may have grounds to delay or stop the eviction entirely and recover damages.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Is Your Chicago Business Facing Any of These Situations?
Commercial evictions often escalate quickly. If any of the following sound familiar, contact our office today before the situation worsens. We’re ready to help you today.
You Received an Eviction Notice
Even a formal notice does not mean the eviction is lawful. Illinois law requires landlords to follow precise procedures, and errors can invalidate the entire action.
Utilities or Services Were Shut Off
Cutting off electricity, water, or HVAC to force you out is a form of unlawful self-help eviction. We can seek emergency injunctive relief to restore your services.
Your Landlord Changed the Locks
Lockouts without a court order are illegal in Illinois. If your landlord locked you out of your commercial space, you may be entitled to immediate re-entry and damages.
Your Lease Was Terminated Early
Early or improper lease terminations by landlords may violate your lease agreement and Illinois law. We challenge improper terminations and protect your right to remain.
HOW & WHERE WE HELP
Commercial Tenant Legal Services Throughout Northeastern Illinois Tailored to Small Businesses
Every situation is unique. Our office will analyze your lease, your landlord’s actions, and the applicable laws to build the strongest possible defense for your business. Our attorneys handle commercial eviction and landlord tenant cases in all of the following counties. If your business is located in any of these areas, we can help.
Chicago
Cook County
DuPage County
Kane County
Lake County
Will County
Kendall County
DeKalb County
McHenry County
Winnebago County
Every small business owner deserves a fighting chance. Illinois law provides powerful protections for commercial tenants. Our job is to make sure those protections actually work for you.
WHY CHOOSE TRG
Illinois Landlord Tenant Law Is All We Do
Founded by Attorney Melvin L. Sims III, Esq., Tenants Rights Group is one of Illinois’s most experienced landlord tenant firms. With 15 years of dedicated practice, we bring focused expertise that general practice firms simply cannot match.
- Millions of dollars in back rent dismissed for our clients across Illinois
- Millions of dollars won in counterclaims against landlords on behalf of tenants
- Experienced in both residential and commercial eviction proceedings
- We represent both tenants and landlords, so we understand every angle of a dispute
- Serving Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Will, Kendall, DeKalb, McHenry and Winnebago Counties
- Focused on dignified, strategic resolutions that work for real people and real businesses
What Chicago Business Owners Ask Us Most
Illinois law requires landlords to provide proper written notice before filing an eviction case, and to follow specific procedural steps throughout the court process. Commercial tenants have the right to contest the eviction in court, raise defenses based on landlord breaches or procedural errors, and negotiate for a favorable resolution. An experienced attorney can identify every defense available in your specific case.
Yes, in many cases. If the landlord failed to follow required notice procedures, breached the lease, or violated Illinois law, you may have grounds to have the eviction dismissed or delayed. We also negotiate payment plans and settlements that allow business owners to remain in their commercial space while resolving financial disputes.
An illegal lockout is a serious violation of Illinois law. Your landlord cannot remove you from your commercial space without first obtaining a court order. If you have been illegally locked out, we can seek an emergency injunction to restore your access and pursue damages against your landlord for the violation.
The timeline varies depending on the specific court, the complexity of the case, and the defenses raised. With legal representation, the process is often extended significantly compared to cases where tenants appear unrepresented. An attorney can use every available legal tool to give your business the maximum amount of time to reach a favorable resolution.
Absolutely. If your landlord has violated your lease, failed to maintain the premises, or engaged in unlawful conduct, you may have the right to file counterclaims directly in the eviction proceeding. We have won millions of dollars in counterclaims for our clients and will evaluate this option in every commercial tenant case we take.
Yes. Tenants Rights Group represents both commercial tenants and landlords in eviction proceedings throughout Illinois. This dual perspective gives us a comprehensive understanding of tactics, arguments, and vulnerabilities on both sides of a commercial landlord tenant dispute, which ultimately benefits our clients.
Do Not Wait! Your Business Cannot Afford Delay.
Commercial eviction timelines move fast in Illinois. The sooner you get an attorney involved, the more options you have. Contact Tenants Rights Group today.
The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contacting Tenants Rights Group LLC does not create an attorney-client relationship. Call (312) 619-9603 to speak with an attorney about your specific situation.