Article IX. Eviction · Part 2. Recovery of Rent; · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceFor any default under a lease other than nonpayment of rent, a landlord needs only ten days' written notice to quit before ending the tenancy, and the statute supplies sample language for that notice.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/9-210
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When default is made in any of the terms of a lease, it is not necessary to give more than 10 days' notice to quit, or of the termination of such tenancy, and the same may be terminated on giving such notice to quit at any time after such default in any of the terms of such lease. Such notice may be substantially in the following form: "To A.B.: You are hereby notified that in consequence of your default in (here insert the character of the default) of the premises now occupied by you, being, etc., (here describe the premises) I have elected to terminate your lease, and you are hereby notified to quit and deliver up possession of the same to me within 10 days of this date (dated, etc.)." The notice is to be signed by the lessor or his or her
agent, and no other notice or demand of possession or termination of such tenancy is necessary.
Plain-English Summary
Section 9-210 sets the general notice for lease defaults, distinct from the rent-specific notice in Section 9-209. It applies whenever a tenant defaults on any term of the lease, and it requires no more than ten days' notice to quit or of the tenancy's termination.
That notice may be given at any time after the default occurs, and once given, the lease may be terminated. The statute sets out sample language a landlord can use, describing the nature of the default and the premises, and stating that the tenant must quit and deliver up possession within ten days.
The notice must be signed by the lessor or the lessor's agent, and once it is given, no other notice or demand of possession or termination is necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can a landlord use the ten-day notice to quit?
Whenever a tenant defaults on any term of the lease.
How does this differ from the five-day rent notice in Section 9-209?
Section 9-210 is a general default notice covering any breach of a lease term, while Section 9-209 addresses only nonpayment of rent and requires different content and a shorter minimum window.
Who must sign the notice to quit?
The lessor or the lessor's agent.
Does the landlord need to send any other notice afterward?
No. Once the ten-day notice is given, no other notice or demand of possession is necessary.
Does the statute provide sample notice language?
Yes, it sets out a suggested form describing the default and directing the tenant to quit within ten days.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 82-280.)
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
Also known as:10 day notice to quit illinoislease default notice illinoisillinois eviction notice for lease violationcure or quit notice illinois