Illinois Construction Law & Mechanic Liens
Areas We Serve — Illinois Construction Law & Mechanic Liens
Emalfarb Law LLC represents contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers across Chicago and the greater Chicago suburbs. We also handle residential real estate closings throughout northeastern Illinois.
Based in Northbrook, Illinois, our firm handles mechanic lien filings, payment bond claims, demand letters, and construction payment recovery across four counties. We also provide residential real estate closing representation throughout the Chicago suburbs.
Each county has its own Recorder of Deeds, property tax system, and practical filing considerations. Select your area below to learn about county-specific procedures, common project types, and how we can help.
Construction Law — Service Areas
We represent contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers in construction payment disputes across the following areas. Each page includes county-specific filing procedures, common project types, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Chicago
The largest construction market in Illinois. We represent contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers on high-rise, commercial, residential, and public construction projects throughout the City of Chicago. Liens are filed with the Cook County Recorder of Deeds.
Cook County
Suburban Cook County encompasses over 130 municipalities with active commercial, residential, and industrial construction. All Cook County mechanic liens — including Chicago — are recorded with the Cook County Recorder at 118 N. Clark Street.
Lake County
From lakefront custom homes to commercial development along the I-94 corridor, Lake County construction generates significant payment disputes. Liens are filed with the Lake County Recorder in Waukegan. Special attention is needed for properties near the Cook-Lake county border.
DuPage County
The I-88 Research and Development Corridor and surrounding communities drive substantial commercial and residential construction in DuPage County. Liens are filed with the DuPage County Recorder in Wheaton. Naperville properties require county verification as the city spans DuPage and Will counties.
Will County
Active in commercial, industrial, and infrastructure construction. Will County mechanic liens are recorded with the Recorder of Deeds in Joliet. Naperville properties may span Will and DuPage counties — verify the correct recorder before filing.
McHenry County
Primarily residential and light commercial construction. McHenry County mechanic liens are recorded with the Recorder of Deeds in Woodstock. Growing suburban development along the Route 14 and Route 31 corridors.
Kane County
A mix of residential, commercial, and municipal construction. Kane County mechanic liens are recorded with the Recorder of Deeds in Geneva. Aurora properties may span Kane and DuPage counties — verify the correct recorder before filing.
Chicago Specialty Practice Areas
In addition to our county-wide construction law services, we offer focused representation for specific payment recovery strategies in the Chicago area.
Chicago Payment Bond Claims
Recover payment on Chicago public works projects through bond claims and lien on public funds. Covers CTA, CPS, Park District, and City of Chicago projects.
Learn moreChicago Construction Collections
Demand letters, mechanic lien enforcement, and litigation for unpaid construction invoices in Chicago. Aggressive collection strategies for contractors and suppliers.
Learn moreResidential Real Estate Closings — Service Areas
We represent buyers and sellers in residential real estate closings throughout the northern and western Chicago suburbs. Each page covers area-specific closing considerations, our services, and frequently asked questions.
Northbrook
Our home base. Residential closing representation for buyers and sellers across Northbrook's neighborhoods and subdivisions.
Learn moreNorth Shore
Residential closings across the North Shore lakefront and inland communities — from Evanston north to Lake Bluff.
Learn moreNorthwest Suburbs
Closings in Arlington Heights, Libertyville, and the surrounding northwest suburbs spanning Cook and Lake counties.
Learn moreDuPage & Will Counties
Residential closings throughout DuPage and Will Counties, including Naperville, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Joliet, and Plainfield.
Learn moreStatewide Illinois Construction Law
The Illinois Mechanic Lien Act (770 ILCS 60) applies uniformly across all 102 Illinois counties. While our office is in the Chicago area, our construction law resources cover the entire state: