Cook County Foreclosure Resources
Complete guide to the foreclosure process in Cook County, Illinois. Courthouse addresses, filing procedures, timelines, mediation options, and local legal aid — everything you need to defend your home.
Foreclosure Type
Judicial
Avg. Timeline
300+ days
Mediation
Available
Population
5.1 million
Cook County Foreclosure Timeline
Illinois is a judicial foreclosure state. Every foreclosure must go through the Circuit Court of Cook County, giving homeowners significant procedural rights and time to mount a defense.
The lender must send a 'grace period notice' at least 30 days before filing a foreclosure complaint, giving the borrower 30 days to cure the default under the Illinois Mortgage Foreclosure Act.
Lender files a foreclosure complaint in the Circuit Court of Cook County. The complaint is assigned to the Chancery Division's Mortgage Foreclosure/Mechanics Lien Section. The homeowner has 30 days after service to file an appearance and answer.
If the homeowner contests, discovery and motion practice may extend this phase significantly. The Cook County court offers a Foreclosure Mediation Program that can pause litigation during mediation. If uncontested, the lender moves for default judgment and then summary judgment.
The court enters a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale setting the sale date. Sheriff's sales in Cook County are conducted online through the Cook County Sheriff's Judicial Sales platform. Sales are typically held weekly.
The statutory right of redemption expires at the later of 90 days after entry of judgment, or 90 days after the last date of publication. For abandoned properties, the period may be reduced to 30 days.
Courthouse & County Offices
Richard J. Daley Center
George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building (Branch 48 — Mortgage Foreclosure)
2650 S California Ave, Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 674-3098
Mon–Fri 8:30AM–4:30PM
Clerk of Court
Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court — Chancery Division
Accepts foreclosure complaint filings, maintains case dockets, and issues summons. Electronic filing (eFileIL) is mandatory for all civil cases including foreclosures.
County Recorder
Cook County Clerk's Office — Recordings Division
Sheriff / Sale Info
Cook County Sheriff's Office — Judicial Sales
50 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 603-3365
Judicial sales are conducted online through the Cook County Sheriff's Judicial Sales platform (cookcountysheriff.com/sales). Sales are conducted weekly. The Sheriff issues a Certificate of Sale to the highest bidder. Evictions are scheduled through the Sheriff's Eviction Department.
Foreclosure Mediation in Cook County
Cook County operates one of the largest foreclosure mediation programs in the country. Homeowners in owner-occupied, single-family homes who receive a foreclosure summons may request mediation. The program pauses litigation during mediation, provides housing counseling, and facilitates negotiations between homeowners and lenders. Mediation is conducted through the Circuit Court of Cook County and administered by the Chancery Division.
Filing Requirements
- •Foreclosure complaint must be filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Chancery Division
- •Mandatory e-filing through eFileIL (no paper filings accepted for represented parties)
- •Lender must provide Grace Period Notice at least 30 days before filing
- •Complaint must include a copy of the promissory note and mortgage documents
- •Lis pendens must be recorded with the Cook County Recorder within 5 days of filing
- •Filing fees: approximately $388 for complaint (varies by docket type)
- •Service of process must be completed within 30 days of filing
- •Cook County-specific foreclosure mediation forms must be included with service of summons
Key Statutes
Illinois Mortgage Foreclosure Law (IMFL)
735 ILCS 5/15-1101 et seq.
Comprehensive foreclosure statute governing judicial foreclosure procedures, notice, redemption, and sale requirements in Illinois.
Statute of Limitations — Acceleration
735 ILCS 5/13-206
10-year statute of limitations after acceleration for mortgage foreclosure. A 5-year limit may apply under 735 ILCS 5/13-205 for certain accelerated debts.
Grace Period Notice
735 ILCS 5/15-1502.5
Requires the lender to provide a 30-day notice before filing a foreclosure complaint, including the right to cure and available resources.
Right of Redemption
Illinois provides a statutory right of redemption under 735 ILCS 5/15-1603. The redemption period is typically 90 days after service or publication, whichever is later, but may be as short as 30 days for abandoned properties or as long as 7 months for certain non-abandoned properties. The redemption amount is the total judgment amount (not just the past-due amount). The redemption period ends upon the later of the court's confirmation of the sale or the statutory expiration of the redemption period.
Deficiency Judgments
Permitted in Illinois. After a foreclosure sale, the lender may seek a deficiency judgment for the difference between the judgment amount and the sale price. The lender must file a motion for deficiency judgment within the foreclosure case. The court holds a hearing to determine the fair market value of the property on the sale date, and the deficiency is calculated based on that value — not the sale price (fair value limitation under IMFL).
Legal Aid
Legal Aid Chicago
Free civil legal services including foreclosure defense, eviction defense, and mortgage fraud assistance for qualifying low-income Cook County residents.
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services
Pro bono representation in foreclosure cases, legal clinics, and self-help resources for pro se defendants.
Illinois Legal Aid Online
Free legal forms, instructional guides, and automated document assembly for Illinois foreclosure cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I request foreclosure mediation in Cook County?+
When served with a foreclosure summons for an owner-occupied, single-family residence in Cook County, you will receive a Notice of Foreclosure Mediation. Complete the enclosed forms and return them to the court within 35 days. The court will schedule a mediation orientation session. Participation pauses the foreclosure litigation while mediation is pending.
How long does a foreclosure take in Cook County from start to finish?+
In contested cases, 300-600+ days. The timeline varies significantly depending on court congestion, whether mediation is requested, and whether the case is contested. In uncontested cases where the homeowner doesn't respond, a default judgment can be entered in 3-4 months, and a sale can be completed in 6-8 months from filing.
Can I redeem my property after the foreclosure sale in Cook County?+
Yes — you can redeem the property up until the court confirms the sale or the redemption period expires (whichever is later). The redemption amount is the total judgment amount (principal, interest, fees, costs), not just the past-due payments. After the sale is confirmed, the right of redemption expires.
Where are Cook County foreclosure cases filed?+
All residential mortgage foreclosure cases are filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Chancery Division, Mortgage Foreclosure/Mechanics Lien Section. Cases are heard at the Richard J. Daley Center, Room 2802. e-filing is mandatory for all foreclosure cases.
What assistance is available for homeowners facing foreclosure in Cook County?+
The Cook County Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program provides free mediation and housing counseling. Legal Aid Chicago, CVLS, and Illinois Legal Aid Online all provide free or low-cost legal assistance. Illinois also operates the Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) which provides up to $60,000 in mortgage assistance.
More Resources for Cook County Homeowners
Illinois Foreclosure Laws
Complete state-level guide to foreclosure laws, timelines, and homeowner protections.
Foreclosure Defense
Comprehensive defense strategies to stop or delay foreclosure in any U.S. county.
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