(a) Definition. As used in this Section, "court file" means the court file created when an eviction action is filed with the court. (b) Discretionary sealing of court file. The court may order that a court file in an eviction action be placed under seal if the court finds that the plaintiff's action is sufficiently without a basis in fact or law, which may include a lack of jurisdiction, that placing the court file under seal is clearly in the interests of justice, and that those interests are not outweighed by the public's interest in knowing about the record. (c) Mandatory sealing of court file. The court file relating to an eviction action brought against a tenant under Section 9- 207.5 of this Code or as set forth in subdivision (h)(6) of Section 15-1701 of this Code or that has been dismissed under Section 9-106 of this Code shall be placed under seal. (d) This Section is operative on and after August 1, 2022.
9-121.Sealing of court file.
Article IX. Eviction · Part 1. In General · Last amended 2026 · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceSection 9-121 lets a court seal an eviction case file it finds baseless, and requires sealing automatically in three specific situations, including when a complaint is dismissed for naming a minor defendant.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/9-121
Plain-English Summary
A court may seal an eviction court file at its discretion if the plaintiff's action is sufficiently without a basis in fact or law -- which can include a lack of jurisdiction -- if sealing serves the interests of justice, and if those interests outweigh the public's interest in knowing about the record.
Three specific triggers require sealing regardless: an eviction action brought against a tenant under Section 9-207.5, one falling under subdivision (h)(6) of Section 15-1701, or one dismissed under Section 9-106 -- the provision that requires dismissal of a complaint naming a minor as a defendant.
The section is operative on and after August 1, 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a tenant get an eviction case sealed from public court records in Illinois?
Yes, either because the court finds the case sufficiently baseless and sealing serves the interests of justice, or because the case falls into one of the categories that require automatic sealing.
What eviction cases must be sealed automatically?
What does the court weigh when deciding whether to seal a file at its discretion?
Whether the plaintiff's action is sufficiently without a basis in fact or law, including a lack of jurisdiction, whether sealing is clearly in the interests of justice, and whether those interests outweigh the public's interest in the record.
Since when has this sealing rule been in effect?
It's operative on and after August 1, 2022.
What is a "court file" for purposes of this section?
The court file created when an eviction action is filed with the court.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 104-317, eff. 1-1-26.)
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Compiled Statutes, published by the
Illinois Compiled Statutes, Illinois General Assembly / Legislative Reference Bureau. Last verified July 20, 2026.
· Official source
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