Advice in Cook County, IL

[Jorge Poveda]

I'm looking into purchasing a rental property in Cook county but i've heard that it is not a very investor friendly area.  As a result, i've been also looking into neighboring counties.  Can anyone share their thoughts/experiences being a landlord in Cook county vs other neighboring counties?  Thanks.

[Edward Mccracken]

All I know is Cook County.  It sucks.  So the great stories of getting people out in a  month or two I never pay attention because I know that's not the case here.  In the city of Chicago I know its tough as hell to get people out.  In the suburbs it all depends on the local courts. Mine for example, I know from experience there are two judges.  One is tough as hell and the other one its black and white.  Do you or do you not owe this person X amount of dollars.  Ok, you have two weeks to get out.  Thank you.  The other judge looks for any reason to throw your case out even if the tenant doesn't show us!  So what I did was I sat through a couple of days of her cases.  I saw which lawyers she was nice to and I got their business cards and use them now when I have her.  It's bs but that's the way it is.  Then the sheriff process is a whole another story.  Us landlords can be mad or complain at the court system but everybody should hate and complain about the sheriff process.  Depending on the time of year they can be backed up for 3 months just for them to come out after you went through your court bs.  

Anyways, I don't have time to complain about the rules.  Just learn them and play the game.... Where I deal, I can't get the cash flow I get anywhere else.