Not legal advice
This guide is for informational purposes only. Laws change frequently — verify current requirements with a local attorney. Information last reviewed 2026-03-19.
Security deposits
- Maximum amount
- No statewide statutory maximum. Chicago limits deposits to 1.5 months’ rent under the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO).
- Return deadline
- Landlord must provide an itemized statement of deductions within 30 days. If the landlord fails to provide a timely itemized statement, the full deposit must be returned within 45 days (765 ILCS 710). In Chicago, landlords must return deposits within 30 days with an itemized statement.
- Itemized deduction requirements
- Landlords must provide an itemized statement of damages with paid receipts or estimates within 30 days. In properties of 25+ units, landlords must pay interest on the deposit annually.
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Notice requirements
- Entry notice
- No statewide statutory requirement. Chicago requires 2 days’ advance notice except in emergencies.
- Lease termination notice
- 30 days’ notice for month-to-month tenancies. Week-to-week tenancies require 7 days’ notice.
- Rent increase notice
- 30 days’ notice for month-to-month tenancies. In Chicago, landlords must provide written notice of any rent increase.
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Rent rules
- Rent control
- No rent control statewide. Illinois has a state preemption law (Rent Control Preemption Act, 50 ILCS 825) that prohibits local rent control ordinances. Note: There have been ongoing legislative efforts to repeal this preemption.
- Late fee regulations
- No statewide cap. In Chicago, the RLTO limits late fees to $10/month for the first $500 of rent and 5% per month for rent over $500.
- Payment methods
- No specific statewide requirements. Payment methods are generally governed by the lease.
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Eviction process
- Notice to quit / cure period
- 5-day notice to pay rent or quit for nonpayment. 10-day notice to cure for lease violations. 30-day notice for termination of month-to-month tenancy.
- Court filing
- Eviction (forcible entry and detainer) action filed in Circuit Court. Tenant must be served and given the opportunity to appear. Court hearing is typically scheduled within 2–3 weeks.
- Estimated timeline
- Approximately 3–6 weeks for uncontested cases. Cook County (Chicago) cases may take longer due to court volume.
Maintenance & habitability
- Implied warranty of habitability
- Yes. Illinois courts recognize an implied warranty of habitability. In Chicago, the RLTO provides specific habitability standards.
- Repair response requirements
- Landlords must address material defects within a reasonable time after written notice. In Chicago, the RLTO specifies 14 days for non-emergency repairs.
- Tenant remedies
- Repair and deduct (in Chicago, up to $500 or half month’s rent); withhold rent; terminate the lease for material noncompliance; or file a complaint with local housing authorities.
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Lease requirements
- Required disclosures
- Lead-based paint disclosure (pre-1978 buildings)
- Radon hazard disclosure
- Code violation history (Chicago RLTO — pending building code violations)
- Utility disclosure (shared utilities, if applicable)
- Concession disclosure (Chicago RLTO)
- Carbon monoxide detector notice
- Lease term requirements
- No statutory restrictions on lease length. Leases for more than one year must be in writing.
- Required clauses
- In Chicago, the RLTO summary must be attached to the lease. Landlords in Chicago must also provide a copy of the RLTO to tenants.
Key statute reference
Illinois Compiled Statutes, 765 ILCS 705 (Security Deposit Return Act); 765 ILCS 710 (Security Deposit Interest Act); 735 ILCS 5/9 (Eviction); Chicago RLTO for Chicago properties
Primary state statute governing landlord-tenant relationships in Illinois. For the full text, consult the Illinois legislature's website or a legal database.
Not legal advice. Laws change. Verify current requirements with a local attorney before making decisions.