Last updated: April 2026
A clear guide to Illinois's statewide rent control ban, what it means for tenants in Chicago and beyond, and what protections you do have under state and local law.
Check your address to see what tenant protections may apply.
No, and no local government can enact it. Illinois has a statewide Rent Control Preemption Act (50 ILCS 825/), enacted in 1997, which explicitly prohibits any unit of local government — city, county, or municipality — from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing any ordinance or resolution that limits rent increases.
This means Chicago, Evanston, Oak Park, and every other Illinois city is legally barred from passing rent control. Landlords in Illinois can raise rent by any amount, with proper notice.
The Illinois Rent Control Preemption Act was passed in 1997 with backing from the real estate industry. Its language is broad — it bars not just rent control ordinances but any local "ordinance or resolution that has the effect of controlling the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential or commercial property."
Since 1997, Illinois legislators have introduced bills to repeal the preemption (including proposals in recent sessions), but none had passed as of April 2026. The preemption remains in full force.
Chicago's situation: Chicago has long sought to enact rent stabilization but is blocked by the preemption. The City Council has passed symbolic resolutions calling on the state legislature to repeal the act, but cannot act unilaterally.
While Chicago cannot cap rents, its Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) — one of the strongest tenant protection laws in the country — covers most Chicago renters. Key protections include:
Landlords who hold security deposits must keep them in a federally insured interest-bearing account, pay interest annually, and return the full deposit (or a written itemized statement of deductions) within 30 days of lease end. Violations can result in the tenant receiving twice the deposit amount plus attorney fees.
Landlords must maintain units in a habitable condition. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after proper written notice, tenants may be able to withhold rent, make repairs and deduct costs, or terminate the lease — depending on the severity of the issue.
For leases of 6 months or more, landlords must give written notice of their intention not to renew at least 30 days before the end of the lease (60 days for leases of 3 years or more). Failure to give proper notice can entitle tenants to remain in the unit.
The RLTO prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who exercise their legal rights — such as reporting code violations, contacting the city about habitability issues, or organizing with other tenants. Retaliatory rent increases or eviction notices are illegal.
Landlords cannot lock out tenants or deliberately shut off utilities to force them out. Self-help evictions are illegal and can expose landlords to significant liability.
In 2021, Cook County enacted a Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance applicable to unincorporated Cook County (areas outside Chicago and other municipalities that have their own ordinances). This requires landlords to have a legally specified reason — such as non-payment, lease violation, or property sale — before evicting a tenant.
This does not apply within Chicago's city limits (Chicago's RLTO governs there), but it covers unincorporated Cook County communities.
For a city-specific breakdown of what protections apply in Chicago, including the full RLTO summary, notice requirements, and free legal resources, see our Chicago rent control guide.
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No. The Illinois Rent Control Preemption Act (50 ILCS 825/), enacted in 1997, prohibits all cities and counties from enacting rent control. There is no statewide rent cap either.
No — not under current state law. Chicago is legally barred by the Rent Control Preemption Act. The City Council has called on the state legislature to repeal the preemption, but as of 2026 it remains in effect.
The Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) is a comprehensive local tenant protection law covering most Chicago rentals. It covers security deposit interest requirements, habitability obligations, anti-retaliation, notice requirements, and more — but does NOT cap rent.
There is no limit on rent increases in Illinois. Landlords can raise rent by any amount. They must give proper written notice — typically 30 days for a month-to-month tenancy — before the increase takes effect.
Illinois state law requires at least 30 days written notice for month-to-month tenancies. Fixed-term leases cannot have mid-lease increases unless the lease specifically allows it. Chicago's RLTO requires 30 days notice for non-renewal of leases of 6 months or more.
It is an active political issue. Bills to repeal or modify the preemption have been introduced in the Illinois General Assembly in recent sessions, but none had passed as of April 2026. The political dynamics remain difficult given opposition from real estate interests.
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