Illinois Notice of Intent to Lien

Illinois does not require a notice of intent before a claim for lien. The statutory steps are the subcontractor's 90-day notice and the claim for lien (770 ILCS 60/7, 60/24).

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Does Illinois require a notice of intent to lien?

Not required. Illinois does not require a notice of intent before a claim for lien. The statutory steps are the subcontractor's 90-day notice and the claim for lien (770 ILCS 60/7, 60/24).

A notice of intent is a final written demand. It names the amount, the property and the date you will file. An owner who wants to keep a lien off the title has a clear reason to pay first, and you keep a dated record of the demand.

Notice of intent: Not required; 770 ILCS 60/7, 60/24
When to send it: None required
Lien deadline: Within 4 months after completion of the project
Where the lien is filed: County recorder where the property sits
Free blank form: Yes, PDF; Notice of Intent to File a Claim for Lien

Who sends it, to whom, and how

Who sends it: No one has to. Any claimant with lien rights can send one as a last demand before filing.
Who receives it: No law says. Our letter goes to the property owner and the general contractor.
How to send it: Send it by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you can prove when it arrived.

What an Illinois notice of intent says

The notice our service prepares states the following. Keep it to facts you can prove.

Your name and the party you contracted with
The property, with its address and county
The labor or materials you furnished, and when
The amount unpaid
A demand to pay within 10 days, or you will file your claim for lien
Your signature and the date

Download a blank Illinois notice of intent to lien

The Notice of Intent to File a Claim for Lien our service prepares, with every field left blank. PDF, free, no sign-up. Fill in your own facts and check them against the rules on this page before you send it.

The Illinois lien deadline it protects

The Illinois lien deadline is within 4 months after completion of the project. The lien is filed with the county recorder where the property sits. Send the notice early enough that the payment window ends before that deadline.

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More Illinois rules to know

Send it early enough that the payment window ends well inside the 4 months to record the claim for lien against lenders and buyers (770 ILCS 60/7(a)).

Source: 770 ILCS 60/7, 60/24. Read the Illinois lien statute. Notice rules turn on facts specific to your project. Confirm with counsel before relying on them.

Send your Illinois notice of intent

We prepare the notice from your project details. Self-serve from $49: you review, sign and send it. Full service from $99: we send it to every party with proof of delivery.

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Illinois notice of intent FAQ

Is a notice of intent to lien required in Illinois?

Illinois does not require a notice of intent before a claim for lien. The statutory steps are the subcontractor's 90-day notice and the claim for lien (770 ILCS 60/7, 60/24).

When do I send a Illinois notice of intent to lien?

No law sets a time. Send it early enough that the 10-day payment window ends before you must file. The Illinois lien deadline is within 4 months after completion of the project.

Who gets the notice, and how is it sent?

No law says. Our letter goes to the property owner and the general contractor. Send it by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you can prove when it arrived.

What does a Illinois notice of intent to lien say?

Our letter states: your name and the party you contracted with; the property, with its address and county; the labor or materials you furnished, and when; the amount unpaid; a demand to pay within 10 days, or you will file your claim for lien; your signature and the date.

Is there a free Illinois notice of intent to lien form?

Yes. Download the blank Notice of Intent to File a Claim for Lien on this page. It is the same notice our service prepares, with every field left blank. Or we prepare and send it for you from $49.

More Illinois lien tools

Bordering states

This page summarizes Illinois law for general information and is not legal advice. Notice and release rules depend on your role, project type and dates. Confirm them against the statute or with counsel before relying on them.