Illinois · Renters' rights · Updated Oct 2026
Illinois tenant rights
Security deposits, repairs, landlord entry, notices and evictions in Illinois, in plain English from official sources, with free tools to get your deposit back and ask for repairs.
Guides for Illinois renters
Security deposit
Limit, deadline, deductions, penalty and the calculator.
Repairs
The landlord's duty, repair and deduct, withholding rent and a repair letter.
Eviction
Notice periods, court deadlines, illegal lockouts and a timeline tool.
Security deposit in Illinois
- Limit
- No statewide limit.
- Deadline to return it
- If the landlord keeps nothing, the full deposit must be returned within 45 days after you move out, in person or by mail to your last known address or another address you give. If you give no mailing or e-mail address, the landlord is not liable for penalties.
- Itemized list
- Yes. To keep any money for damage, within 30 days after you move out (or your right to possession ends, if later) the landlord must give you an itemized statement of the damage and the estimated or actual cost of each item, with paid receipts. If only estimates are given, receipts must follow within 30 days after the statement. Delivery can be in person, by postmarked mail, or to a verified e-mail you provided.
- What may be deducted
- Unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear. A written lease may set fixed charges for cleaning, repair or replacement of specific items, if they are for damage beyond normal wear and tear and reasonable to restore the unit to move-in condition. The landlord may charge reasonable labor costs for repairs they do themselves.
- Interest
- Only if the building or complex has 25 or more units and the deposit is held more than 6 months. The rate equals the passbook savings rate of the largest Illinois bank as of December 31 of the year before your lease began. Interest of $5 or more is paid or credited within 30 days after each 12-month period, and all unpaid interest at move-out. Willful failure: the landlord owes an amount equal to the deposit plus costs and attorney fees. Not for public housing. 765 ILCS 715.
- If the landlord keeps it wrongly
- If a court finds the landlord refused to give the itemized statement, or gave it in bad faith, and did not return the deposit on time, the landlord owes twice the deposit due, plus court costs and reasonable attorney fees.
How to get your deposit back
- Before you move out, clean, take dated photos and video of every room, and return all keys.
- Give your landlord your new address in writing. In Illinois: If the landlord keeps nothing, the full deposit must be returned within 45 days after you move out, in person or by mail to your last known address or another address you give.
- Wait for the deadline: If the landlord keeps nothing, the full deposit must be returned within 45 days after you move out, in person or by mail to your last known address or another address you give.
- If the money or an itemized list doesn't come, or the deductions are wrong, send a demand letter (below). Keep proof of mailing.
- If that doesn't work, sue in small claims court. Limit: $10,000, not counting interest and costs. In Chicago, the Pro Se branch hears claims up to $3,000. Small claims court in Illinois on Small Claims Map
Repairs in Illinois
- The landlord's duty
- Illinois has no single statewide habitability statute; courts recognize an implied warranty of habitability, and landlords must follow local building and health codes. The Attorney General says landlords must keep the unit fit to live in and make all necessary repairs. A state law also sets heating and cooling standards when the building has a central system (765 ILCS 705/20).
- How to ask for repairs
- Put the request in writing. For repair-and-deduct, use registered or certified mail to the landlord's address in the lease and wait 14 days (less in an emergency).
- Repair and deduct
- Yes, for small repairs. If the repair costs no more than $500 or half a month's rent (whichever is less), send the landlord written notice by registered or certified mail. If the landlord does not fix it within 14 days (sooner in an emergency), you can hire a licensed, insured tradesperson to do the work, then deduct the paid bill from rent, giving the landlord the bill and the tradesperson's contact information. Does not apply to public housing, condos, co-ops, or owner-occupied buildings with 6 or fewer units. 765 ILCS 742. If the landlord fails to pay a utility bill it owes, you may pay it and deduct it from rent (765 ILCS 735).
- Withholding rent
- No statute sets a rent-withholding procedure outside the repair-and-deduct and utility laws. The Attorney General notes that withholding a reasonable part of rent because the landlord failed to make repairs after notice can be a defense in an eviction case. Get legal advice first.
- Law
- 765 ILCS 742; 765 ILCS 735; 765 ILCS 705/20
Landlord entry in Illinois
No statewide statute sets notice for landlord entry. Your lease and local ordinances control. In Chicago, the Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance generally requires 2 days' notice.
Eviction in Illinois
- Notice for unpaid rent
- 5-day written notice demanding the rent. If you pay the full amount within the notice period, the lease is not ended. A partial payment does not stop the case unless the landlord agrees in writing.
- Notice for a lease violation
- 10-day notice to quit for a lease violation. The statute does not require a chance to fix the problem. 735 ILCS 5/9-210.
- Ending a month-to-month tenancy
- Landlord: 30 days' written notice for any tenancy shorter than one year other than week-to-week; 7 days for week-to-week. 735 ILCS 5/9-207. Year-to-year tenancies require 60 days (AG guidance). The statute does not set a tenant notice period; the AG says 30 days is normally enough unless the lease requires more.
- Time to respond to an eviction lawsuit
- No statutory written-answer deadline. The summons tells you the date to appear in court. File an Appearance (official statewide form on the Illinois Courts website) and go to court on that date, or you may lose by default. You can also file the statewide Eviction Answer form.
- Lockouts and utility shutoffs
- Yes. A landlord must go to court to evict you. Only the sheriff can carry out an eviction. Lockouts, changing the locks, removing your belongings, or shutting off utilities to force you out are illegal (Illinois Attorney General). Chicago's ordinance adds specific penalties.
- Court self-help
- The court's eviction self-help page
- Law
- 735 ILCS 5/9-102, 9-207, 9-209, 9-210
Rent increases and rent control in Illinois
- Notice of a rent increase
- No specific statute. According to the Attorney General, for month-to-month tenancies the landlord must give 30 days' notice (7 days for week-to-week), and rent cannot be raised during a fixed-term lease.
- Rent control
- No statewide rent cap. Local governments may not enact rent control (Rent Control Preemption Act, 50 ILCS 825/5).
Late fees in Illinois
No statewide cap; the Attorney General says the fee must be reasonable. Chicago's ordinance caps late fees. If the landlord's online payment portal charges a fee, the landlord must let you pay another way without the fee (765 ILCS 705/3.5, leases signed from January 1, 2025). For leases signed on or after January 1, 2027, a new state law (765 ILCS 705/35) requires all mandatory fees on the first page of the lease, caps application fees at $50, and bans many 'junk fees' (lease renewal fees, eviction-notice fees, maintenance call fees, move-in/move-out walk-through fees, and others); owner-occupied buildings with 6 or fewer units are exempt.
Retaliation in Illinois
The Landlord Retaliation Act (effective January 1, 2025) bars a landlord from ending your tenancy, raising rent, cutting services, filing or threatening eviction, or refusing to renew because you in good faith complained about code violations to a government official or community group, asked for repairs, joined a tenants' union, testified about conditions, or used any legal right. Protected activity within 1 year before the landlord's action creates a presumption of retaliation. Remedies: a defense to eviction, ending the lease, and up to 2 months' rent or twice your damages (whichever is greater) plus attorney fees. 765 ILCS 721.
Small claims court in Illinois
Deposit disputes usually go to small claims court, where you don't need a lawyer.
Limit: $10,000, not counting interest and costs. In Chicago, the Pro Se branch hears claims up to $3,000.
Where to get free help in Illinois
Good to know in Illinois
- Chicago (and Evanston, Mount Prospect and others) have their own landlord-tenant ordinances with stronger rules on entry, late fees, deposits and lockouts.
- Since January 1, 2025, a new Landlord Retaliation Act protects tenants who complain or ask for repairs, with a 1-year presumption.
- A tenant can make repairs up to $500 or half a month's rent and deduct the cost after 14 days' certified-mail notice.
Recent law changes
P.A. 103-224 (effective January 1, 2024) rewrote the Security Deposit Return Act: e-mail delivery allowed, lease-specified repair charges, labor costs, and the statute text no longer limits the Act to buildings of 5 or more units. P.A. 103-831 (effective January 1, 2025) replaced the Retaliatory Eviction Act with the Landlord Retaliation Act (1-year presumption, damages of 2 months' rent or 2x damages; § 20 amended by P.A. 104-417, August 15, 2025). P.A. 103-809 (January 1, 2025): fee-free way to pay rent if the online portal charges a fee (765 ILCS 705/3.5). P.A. 104-479 adds fee transparency, a junk-fee ban and a $50 application fee cap for leases from January 1, 2027 (765 ILCS 705/35).
Free tools for Illinois renters
Pre-set for Illinois. They run in your browser and send nothing.
Deposit return calculator for Illinois
Find your state's deadline for returning a security deposit, whether your landlord is late and what you may be owed. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.
Security deposit demand letter for Illinois
A short, firm and polite letter asking your landlord to return your deposit by a date. It cites your state's deposit law. Many landlords pay at this step, and the letter is proof that you asked. Fill this in, download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it), sign it, keep a copy and send it in a way you can prove, such as certified mail with a return receipt.
Repair request letter for Illinois
Ask your landlord in writing to fix the problem by a date. A written, dated request is the first step in almost every state, and it is proof that the landlord knew. Check the problems, add dates, then download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it). Sign it, keep a copy and photos, and send it in a way you can prove.
Eviction notice timeline for Illinois
Got a notice from your landlord? Enter the kind of notice and the day you got it to see the dates that follow from your state's rule, what your landlord may not do, and where to get free help fast.
This is not legal advice. Eviction deadlines are short and missing one can cost you your home. Read your notice carefully and contact legal aid or your court's self-help center right away.
Questions about renters' rights in Illinois
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Illinois?
No statewide limit.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Illinois?
If the landlord keeps nothing, the full deposit must be returned within 45 days after you move out, in person or by mail to your last known address or another address you give. If you give no mailing or e-mail address, the landlord is not liable for penalties.
What can I do if my landlord won't return my deposit in Illinois?
If a court finds the landlord refused to give the itemized statement, or gave it in bad faith, and did not return the deposit on time, the landlord owes twice the deposit due, plus court costs and reasonable attorney fees.
What can a landlord deduct from a security deposit in Illinois?
Unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear. A written lease may set fixed charges for cleaning, repair or replacement of specific items, if they are for damage beyond normal wear and tear and reasonable to restore the unit to move-in condition. The landlord may charge reasonable labor costs for repairs they do themselves.
Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Illinois?
Only if the building or complex has 25 or more units and the deposit is held more than 6 months. The rate equals the passbook savings rate of the largest Illinois bank as of December 31 of the year before your lease began. Interest of $5 or more is paid or credited within 30 days after each 12-month period, and all unpaid interest at move-out. Willful failure: the landlord owes an amount equal to the deposit plus costs and attorney fees. Not for public housing. 765 ILCS 715.
How do I ask my landlord for repairs in Illinois?
Put the request in writing. For repair-and-deduct, use registered or certified mail to the landlord's address in the lease and wait 14 days (less in an emergency).
Can I repair and deduct the cost from rent in Illinois?
Yes, for small repairs. If the repair costs no more than $500 or half a month's rent (whichever is less), send the landlord written notice by registered or certified mail. If the landlord does not fix it within 14 days (sooner in an emergency), you can hire a licensed, insured tradesperson to do the work, then deduct the paid bill from rent, giving the landlord the bill and the tradesperson's contact information. Does not apply to public housing, condos, co-ops, or owner-occupied buildings with 6 or fewer units. 765 ILCS 742. If the landlord fails to pay a utility bill it owes, you may pay it and deduct it from rent (765 ILCS 735).
Can I withhold rent for repairs in Illinois?
No statute sets a rent-withholding procedure outside the repair-and-deduct and utility laws. The Attorney General notes that withholding a reasonable part of rent because the landlord failed to make repairs after notice can be a defense in an eviction case. Get legal advice first.
How much notice does a landlord need to enter in Illinois?
No statewide statute sets notice for landlord entry. Your lease and local ordinances control. In Chicago, the Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance generally requires 2 days' notice.
How much notice does a landlord have to give for unpaid rent in Illinois?
5-day written notice demanding the rent. If you pay the full amount within the notice period, the lease is not ended. A partial payment does not stop the case unless the landlord agrees in writing.
How much notice for a lease violation in Illinois?
10-day notice to quit for a lease violation. The statute does not require a chance to fix the problem. 735 ILCS 5/9-210.
How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month lease in Illinois?
Landlord: 30 days' written notice for any tenancy shorter than one year other than week-to-week; 7 days for week-to-week. 735 ILCS 5/9-207. Year-to-year tenancies require 60 days (AG guidance). The statute does not set a tenant notice period; the AG says 30 days is normally enough unless the lease requires more.
How long do I have to respond to an eviction lawsuit in Illinois?
No statutory written-answer deadline. The summons tells you the date to appear in court. File an Appearance (official statewide form on the Illinois Courts website) and go to court on that date, or you may lose by default. You can also file the statewide Eviction Answer form.
Can my landlord lock me out or shut off utilities in Illinois?
Yes. A landlord must go to court to evict you. Only the sheriff can carry out an eviction. Lockouts, changing the locks, removing your belongings, or shutting off utilities to force you out are illegal (Illinois Attorney General). Chicago's ordinance adds specific penalties.
How much notice is needed for a rent increase in Illinois?
No specific statute. According to the Attorney General, for month-to-month tenancies the landlord must give 30 days' notice (7 days for week-to-week), and rent cannot be raised during a fixed-term lease.
Is there rent control in Illinois?
No statewide rent cap. Local governments may not enact rent control (Rent Control Preemption Act, 50 ILCS 825/5).
Is there a limit on late fees in Illinois?
No statewide cap; the Attorney General says the fee must be reasonable. Chicago's ordinance caps late fees. If the landlord's online payment portal charges a fee, the landlord must let you pay another way without the fee (765 ILCS 705/3.5, leases signed from January 1, 2025). For leases signed on or after January 1, 2027, a new state law (765 ILCS 705/35) requires all mandatory fees on the first page of the lease, caps application fees at $50, and bans many 'junk fees' (lease renewal fees, eviction-notice fees, maintenance call fees, move-in/move-out walk-through fees, and others); owner-occupied buildings with 6 or fewer units are exempt.
Can my landlord retaliate if I complain in Illinois?
The Landlord Retaliation Act (effective January 1, 2025) bars a landlord from ending your tenancy, raising rent, cutting services, filing or threatening eviction, or refusing to renew because you in good faith complained about code violations to a government official or community group, asked for repairs, joined a tenants' union, testified about conditions, or used any legal right. Protected activity within 1 year before the landlord's action creates a presumption of retaliation. Remedies: a defense to eviction, ending the lease, and up to 2 months' rent or twice your damages (whichever is greater) plus attorney fees. 765 ILCS 721.
What is the small claims limit in Illinois?
$10,000, not counting interest and costs. In Chicago, the Pro Se branch hears claims up to $3,000.
- 765 ILCS 710/1; 765 ILCS 715
- Security Deposit Interest Act, 765 ILCS 715
- Landlord Retaliation Act, 765 ILCS 721
- Residential Tenants' Right to Repair Act, 765 ILCS 742
- 735 ILCS 5/9-209 Demand for rent
- 735 ILCS 5/9-207 Notice to terminate tenancy
- 50 ILCS 825/5 Rent control prohibited
- Illinois Attorney General: Landlord and Tenant Rights and Laws
Last checked: Oct 2026.