Cook County, ILsheriff sales & tax auctions

Illinois foreclosures are judicial; the sale is conducted by the sheriff or a court-appointed selling officer (in Cook County often The Judicial Sales Corporation) and is not final until the court confirms it (735 ILCS 5/15-1507, 15-1508). You get a receipt at the sale, a certificate of sale after full payment, and a deed only after the court approves the sale (TJSC; Cook County Sheriff). Title is not guaranteed (TJSC).

Redemption

None for a third-party buyer after the sale. The owner's redemption period ends before the sale -- for residential property the later of 7 months after service or 3 months after the judgment (15-1603) -- and 'once expired ... shall not be revived'. A 30-day special right to redeem after confirmation exists only when the purchaser was the mortgagee and its bid was below the redemption amount (15-1604).

Deposit

Terms are set by the court's judgment (15-1507). Cook County Sheriff: 10% of the final bid at the time of sale. TJSC: 'Most properties are sold for 25% down ... some are sold at 10% down and others at 100% down', from a certified check registered before the sale -- no third-party checks, lines of credit or other currency.

Balance due

Cook County Sheriff: balance within 24 hours by certified or cashier's check. TJSC: balance by 2 p.m. the next business day in certified funds delivered to its office or by wire.

To bid

TJSC: valid government photo ID and register your certified funds before bidding (Cook County doors open at 10:00 a.m., sales at 10:30 a.m.).

Where

Cook County Sheriff: Daley Center, lower level outside Room 06, 50 W. Washington, Chicago, weekdays at 1 p.m.; TJSC sales at its Chicago office. Statute allows in-person or online sales at the mortgagee's election (15-1507). Notice runs 3 consecutive weeks, 7-45 days before the sale.

When

Year-round; Cook County holds sheriff sales Monday-Friday except holidays.

Rules checked 2026-09-17 against codes.findlaw.com, tjsc.com, cookcountysheriffil.gov. Terms vary by county — confirm Cook County's own notice and the linked source before you bid. Not legal advice.