Cal. Civ. Code § 9-101
Forcible entry prohibited. No person shall make an entry into lands or tenements except in cases where entry is allowed by law, and in such cases he or she shall not enter with force, but in a peaceable manner
Operative Text
Forcible entry prohibited. No person shall make an entry into lands or tenements except in cases where entry is allowed by law, and in such cases he or she shall not enter with force, but in a peaceable manner.
Under 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 § 9-101, no individual in Illinois may enter land or a dwelling by force, even when that person has a legal right to enter. The law draws a clear line: a lawful right of entry does not authorize a forcible or confrontational entry — the entry must still be made peaceably. This provision applies broadly to any person, meaning it is not limited to landlords or any single category of actor.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Illinois law should be aware that 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 § 9-101 prohibits forcible entry into any land or tenement, even when a legal basis for entry exists. Compliant operators generally rely on proper legal processes — such as court-ordered possession — rather than self-help measures like changing locks, removing doors, or physically forcing entry to reclaim a unit. Documenting the manner of any lawful entry and following established judicial procedures are practices consistent with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 § 9-101 provides a basis for tenants to challenge any entry into their home that was made by force, regardless of whether the entering party claims a legal right to be there. A forcible entry may be raised as a defense in eviction proceedings or as the basis for a separate legal claim. Tenants who believe a forcible entry has occurred may consider consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand the options available under Illinois law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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