City Of Peoria Issues Statement On 'Self-Help Evictions'

Press release from the City of Peoria:

April 2, 2020

The city of Peoria Community Development Department reminds the public that “self-help” eviction actions are illegal and are not an acceptable alternative to the legal eviction process. The only method to remove a tenant from a rental property remains the legal eviction process.

Under Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order Number 10, local law enforcement and judicial circuits are not enforcing any orders of eviction for residential properties for the duration of the COVID-19 disaster proclamation. This unprecedented situation does not allow landlords to circumvent the legal system. “Self-help” eviction actions are not an alternative to the legal eviction process. Examples of unlawful and prohibited self-help eviction actions include changing the locks, removing the tenant’s property, cutting off essential utilities, and removing or barricading doors. These “self-help” actions endanger our community and expose it to an increased risk of transmitting COVID-19 by not allowing residents to follow the “Stay at Home” Executive Order.

Prairie State Legal Services continues to provide legal services to low-income residents in need of legal assistance and is continuing to accept referrals from community partners. Prairie State Legal Services has discontinued in-person contact until further notice, but they encourage residents in need of legal assistance to contact their office at (309) 674-9831 or online at www.pslegal.org.

The city of Peoria Community Development Department advocates for safe and affordable housing for tenants and homeowners by combating blight in our neighborhoods. Residents encountering health, life, and safety issues in their rental units are encouraged to report issues to Peoria Cares at (309) 494-2273 or online at www.peoriagov.org/peoria-cares.

For more information on rental assistance and other services offered in our community, please contact 211 by dialing 2-1-1 on any phone or visiting www.211hoi.org.

For more information on COVID-19 and the latest recommendations from public health officials, please visit the Peoria City/County Health Department’s website at https://www.pcchd.org/289/COVI... or call 2-1-1.

On April 2, 2020 / General Events & Announcements, Main Page/Facebook/Twitter

This press release was produced by the City of Peoria. The views expressed here are the author’s own.