UPDATE: This was originally posted on January 6, but as of January 9, 2014, it looks like things are still not on track for evictions tomorrow. As I understand it, weather permitting, evictions will begin again on January 13, 2014.
Bone chilling cold appears responsible for an additional delay in the resumption of evictions by the Cook County Sheriff. A quick check of the Sheriff’s website’s schedule for evictions shows none “on the books” for this morning in keeping with the general order which calls off evictions as a result of cold weather in addition to the moratorium period. Under normal circumstances, the moratorium would have ended today.
The Circuit Court’s General Order (2013-07) entered on December 12, 2013 indicates that the Circuit Court of Cook County has indicated that the Sheriff shall cease execution of eviction orders (1) whenever the outside temperature is 15 degrees Fahrenheit or colder on the actual day of the eviction or (2) whenever regardless of outside temperature, extreme weather conditions endanger the health and welfare of those to be evicted.
Keep in mind that the Circuit Court will still be in business today, so the moratorium affects only the execution of an eviction order. It does not prohibit a landlord from obtaining an order for possession.