Mechanics liens are specifically designed to protect construction industry participants who provide labor or materials to improve property. In Illinois, the protection extends to original contractors, and subcontractors (of virtually any tier). There is some tension in the courts as to what work qualifies a party to file a mechanics lien. The general rule is that the labor, materials or services must be “attached” or “used in” the construction, but the interpretation of this standard is gray. However, that being said, mechanics liens are related to construction - not landlord/tenant disputes.