Chicago Commercial Eviction Attorney.
Your Tenant Stopped Paying — Time to Act.
Commercial evictions move faster than residential. No Early Resolution Program. First court date is a pre-trial conference. Let's end this.
Residential tenant? Go to residential evictions →
One Flat Fee. Everything Included.
Court costs, process server, filing fees — all included. You pay one number.
- ✓ Demand Letter & Notice Preparation$350
- ✓ Court Filing Fee$389
- ✓ Private Process Server$195
- ✓ Pre-Trial Conference Appearance$500
- ✓ Discovery & Business Records Requests$750
- ✓ Settlement Negotiation$400
- ✓ Full Trial Representation$1,500+
- ✓ Judgment for Back Rent + Fees$300
Most commercial leases allow you to recover attorney's fees from the tenant. We pursue this as part of your judgment.
Hourly attorneys typically charge $4,000 - $8,000+ for commercial evictions.
🛡️ Our Price Lock Guarantee
⚡ Why Commercial Evictions Move Faster
- No Early Resolution Program — Your first court date is a pre-trial conference, not a mediation session
- No RLTO — Commercial tenants don't have the same statutory protections as residential
- Discovery Period — We can request business records to verify their financial situation and strengthen your case
- Lease Controls — Your commercial lease likely has provisions that work in your favor
Every Day They Stay Rent-Free Costs You
Typical losses for a $5,000/month commercial space
We Evict From Every Type of Commercial Space
Each property type has different lease structures, equipment considerations, and timelines. We've handled them all.
Retail & Storefronts
Strip malls, standalone shops, boutiques. Common issue: tenant stops paying but keeps the doors open to run down inventory.
Restaurants & Food Service
Restaurants, cafes, ghost kitchens. Equipment liens, liquor licenses, and health department considerations add complexity we handle routinely.
Salons & Service Businesses
Hair salons, barbershops, spas, nail salons. Often involve booth rental disputes and personal property left behind.
Office Space
Professional offices, co-working suites, medical offices. Tenant data, client files, and equipment removal require careful handling.
Industrial & Warehouse
Warehouses, manufacturing, auto shops. Large equipment, environmental considerations, and loading dock access are common factors.
Mixed-Use Buildings
Commercial units in mixed-use buildings. We know which rules apply to the commercial portion vs. residential — they're very different.
The Process
We send a formal demand letter and prepare the appropriate notice (5-day, 10-day, or 30-day depending on your lease terms and the violation).
We file the complaint and have it served by a private process server. Court date is typically set 2-3 weeks out.
Commercial cases allow discovery. We request business records, bank statements, and financial documents to verify their situation and strengthen your negotiating position.
If they don't settle, we go to trial. We present your case and secure the Order for Possession plus a money judgment for back rent and attorney's fees.
Sheriff enforces the eviction. You get your space back and a judgment you can collect on.
Common Commercial Eviction Scenarios
What Happens to the Tenant's Equipment and Fixtures?
This is the #1 question commercial landlords ask — and the answer depends on your lease language.
When the sheriff enforces the eviction order, the tenant's personal property (equipment, inventory, furniture, fixtures that aren't permanently attached) must be handled according to Illinois law. You can't just throw it in a dumpster.
Here's how it works:
- Permanently attached fixtures generally become your property under most commercial leases — but the specific lease language controls.
- Movable equipment and inventory (restaurant equipment, salon chairs, office furniture) — the tenant has a right to retrieve it within a reasonable period after the eviction.
- Abandoned property — if the tenant doesn't retrieve their belongings, Illinois law provides a process for you to dispose of or sell the items.
We address this in every commercial eviction and make sure your lease's fixture and personal property provisions are enforced correctly.
Holdover Tenants: Lease Expired but They Won't Leave
Your lease expired. You gave proper notice that you're not renewing. They're still there — maybe even still paying rent. Now what?
This is one of the most common commercial eviction scenarios we handle. The good news: holdover tenant evictions are straightforward because the lease already terminated. There's no "cure" period — they don't get a chance to fix anything. They simply need to leave.
The critical step most landlords miss: stop accepting rent. If you cash their check after the lease expires, you may have created a new month-to-month tenancy — which means you need to serve a new termination notice before you can file. We'll make sure you don't make that mistake.
What Chicago Landlords Say
Real reviews from property owners we've helped
"Justin evicted a tenant of mine in record time. It's unheard of and I just did not think it was possible to get this tenant out so fast. Only eight weeks."
Resolved through negotiated settlement
"Justin was highly recommended to us and we're very pleased with his services. He's an amazing attorney, very knowledgeable of landlords rights, and will start working immediately to protect your investment."
"I can't recommend Abdilla & Associates enough! Their professionalism, expertise, and dedication made all the difference in resolving my case. From start to finish, they communicated clearly, kept me informed, and truly advocated for my best interests!"
Clear Answers to Your Commercial Eviction Questions
Frequently asked questions from Chicago commercial landlords
How much does a commercial eviction cost in Illinois?
Commercial evictions cost $2,000 flat fee — all expenses included (court filing, process server, everything).
- All-inclusive pricing: No separate court fees or process server bills
- Discovery included: We request business records to strengthen your case
- Attorney fees recoverable: Most commercial leases allow you to recover legal fees from the tenant
Hourly attorneys typically charge $4,000 - $8,000+ for commercial evictions.
How long does a commercial eviction take in Chicago?
Commercial evictions typically move faster than residential — around 60-90 days:
- Notice period: Per your lease terms (often 5-30 days)
- Filing to first court date: ~2-3 weeks
- Pre-trial conference: First court date (no ERP mediation)
- Discovery period: 2-4 weeks if needed
- Trial (if needed): 1-4 weeks
- Sheriff enforcement: 2-4 weeks after judgment
For a complete breakdown of the eviction process, see our Illinois Eviction Process Guide.
Why are commercial evictions faster than residential?
Commercial tenants have significantly fewer statutory protections:
- No RLTO: Chicago's Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance doesn't apply
- No ERP: No mandatory Early Resolution Program mediation
- Lease controls: Your commercial lease terms are enforceable as written
- Discovery available: We can request business records to verify their financial situation
Can I recover attorney's fees from the tenant?
Usually yes. Most commercial leases include fee-shifting provisions that allow you to recover attorney's fees. We pursue your legal fees as part of the judgment.
After judgment, we can pursue wage garnishment and post-judgment collections to recover what you're owed.
What if my tenant gets an attorney?
Same flat fee. Our price doesn't change regardless of how hard the tenant fights.
What if my case goes to trial?
Same flat fee. Trial preparation, trial day, discovery disputes, and post-trial motions are all included.
What documents do you need to get started?
- The termination notice (demand letter or notice to quit)
- Your lease agreement
- Your ledger of accounts
- CAM reconciliation or other pass-through documentation (if applicable)
Don't have these ready? No problem. We often generate the notices based on what you tell us.
Do you handle commercial evictions outside Chicago?
Yes. We handle commercial evictions throughout the Chicago metro area at the same $2,000 flat fee:
- Chicago (City)
- Cook County Suburbs
- DuPage County
- Kane County
Not sure if you have grounds for eviction? We'll tell you honestly.
📞 Free Consultation: (630) 839-9195