How to send a non-renewal notice in Illinois

In Illinois, a non-renewal notice may be delivered by hand delivery, substituted service, certified mail with electronic return receipt; certified mail is permitted.

Last reviewed September 21, 2026 · Business research, not legal advice.

Requirement	Illinois non-renewal notice
Delivery method	Hand delivery, substituted service, certified mail with electronic return receipt — Cortul also sends a First-Class copy.
Notice period	Set by the lease or governing documents
Deemed received	When the recipient signs for it
Notice must include	Written notice: 7 days for a week-to-week tenancy, 30 days for any other tenancy under a year (735 ILCS 5/9-207), 60 days for year to year (9-205), served under 9-211
If refused or unclaimed	keep the certified record.
Statutes	735 ILCS 5/9-207, 5/9-205; 5/9-211

Step by step

Write the notice with every required element (the Illinois template in Cortul already has them).
Verify the recipient's mailing address with USPS.
Send it by a method the law allows, and keep a mailed copy.
Keep the mailing and tracking records, and your own record of any service you did yourself.
Calendar the deadline from the mailing date.