Property is abandoned when the owner deliberately leaves it somewhere with the intent to completely give up ownership. Learn how to proceed.(iii) The landlord may sell items of value and destroy or otherwise dispose of the remaining property. c. Illinois law requires the Cook County Sheriff to enforce evictions in Cook County. The only entity that may evict a tenant is the Cook County Sheriff. The Cook County RTLO provides renters' rights and landlord protections to Cook County suburban residents. What landlords can do with a tenant's abandoned property depends heavily on state law. Under Cook County tenants' rights law, a tenant has the right to possession of the unit at the time and in the condition agreed upon in the lease. A cause of action for adverse possession against a private party can begin to accrue during prior public ownership of the land. A landlord or property manager uses RPI Forms 581, 583 and 584 when a tenant abandons their property and leaves personal property behind.