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Bellwood is a village in Cook County, Illinois, located just west of Chicago. Like many close-in suburbs, Bellwood has a significant renter population, and tenants here are governed primarily by Illinois state law rather than any local ordinance. The most common questions Bellwood renters ask involve security deposit timelines, what notice a landlord must give before eviction, and what rights exist if a landlord fails to make repairs.
Illinois does not have rent control anywhere in the state — a 1997 preemption statute blocks all municipalities from enacting local rent regulations. In Cook County suburbs like Bellwood, that means landlords may raise rent by any amount at the end of a lease term, provided they give proper notice. State law still provides important baseline protections on deposits, habitability, and retaliation that every Bellwood renter should understand.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary. If you have a specific legal problem, consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a local legal aid organization.
Bellwood has no rent control ordinance, and Illinois state law makes it impossible for the village to create one. The Rent Control Preemption Act, 765 ILCS 720, enacted in 1997, explicitly prohibits any Illinois unit of local government — including villages, cities, and counties — from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing any ordinance that controls or limits the amount of rent charged for private residential property.
In practical terms, this means a landlord in Bellwood can raise your rent by any amount at the end of your lease term. There is no cap on rent increases, no requirement to justify an increase, and no cooling-off period. The only protection a renter has against a mid-lease rent increase is the lease itself: landlords cannot raise rent during a fixed-term lease unless the lease specifically allows it. For month-to-month tenants, a landlord must give at least 30 days written notice before a rent increase takes effect, consistent with the notice required to modify a month-to-month tenancy under Illinois common law and the Illinois Compiled Statutes.
Although Bellwood has no local tenant ordinance, Illinois state law provides several meaningful protections for renters throughout the state.
Security Deposits (765 ILCS 710 — Security Deposit Return Act & 765 ILCS 711 — Security Deposit Interest Act): Landlords who hold a security deposit for a residential dwelling must return it — along with an itemized statement of any deductions — within 30 days after the tenant vacates the unit. If a landlord owns 25 or more units, they must also pay interest on the deposit annually. Wrongful withholding of a deposit can result in a penalty of twice the deposit amount under 765 ILCS 710/1.
Habitability: Under longstanding Illinois common law (recognized in Jack Spring, Inc. v. Little, 50 Ill. 2d 351 (1972)) and the implied warranty of habitability, landlords in Illinois must keep rental units in a condition fit for human habitation. This includes maintaining structural integrity, functioning heat, plumbing, and electrical systems, and freedom from serious pest infestations. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after proper written notice, tenants may have legal remedies including rent withholding or repair-and-deduct in limited circumstances — but tenants should consult legal aid before taking such steps.
Notice Requirements (735 ILCS 5/9-207): For month-to-month tenancies, either the landlord or the tenant must give at least 30 days written notice to terminate the tenancy. For week-to-week tenancies, 7 days notice is required. These minimums apply statewide, including in Bellwood.
Anti-Retaliation (765 ILCS 720/1): Illinois law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants for complaining to a government authority about code violations, organizing with other tenants, or asserting any legal right. Retaliatory conduct can include unjustified eviction, rent increases, or reduction of services. A landlord who retaliates may be liable for damages.
Self-Help Eviction Prohibition: Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.) requires landlords to use the court process to remove a tenant. A landlord may not lock a tenant out, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or physically remove belongings as a substitute for a court-ordered eviction. These acts constitute illegal self-help eviction and may expose the landlord to civil liability.
Illinois does not cap the amount a landlord may charge for a security deposit on a residential lease in Bellwood. However, once a deposit is collected, strict rules govern how it must be handled and returned.
Return Deadline: Under the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710/1), a landlord must return the tenant's security deposit — less any lawful deductions — within 30 days after the tenant vacates the unit or delivers possession. If the landlord intends to make deductions, they must provide an itemized written statement of damages and the cost of repair along with any remaining deposit within that 30-day window.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord willfully fails to return the deposit or provide the required itemized statement within 30 days, the tenant is entitled to recover twice the amount of the wrongfully withheld deposit plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees under 765 ILCS 710/1. This penalty is intended to deter bad-faith withholding.
Interest on Deposits (765 ILCS 711): Landlords who own 25 or more units must pay interest on security deposits held for more than six months. The interest rate is set annually by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Allowable Deductions: A landlord may only deduct from the security deposit for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and other costs specifically authorized by the lease. Deductions for ordinary wear and tear — such as minor scuffs, carpet wear from regular use, or faded paint — are not permitted.
In Bellwood, as throughout Illinois, a landlord must follow a specific legal process to evict a tenant. There is no just-cause eviction requirement in Bellwood, meaning a landlord does not need to state a reason to end a tenancy at the end of a lease term — but the procedural steps below must always be followed regardless of the reason for eviction.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing any court action, the landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice. The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing in Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord must file an eviction action (formerly called forcible entry and detainer) in the Circuit Court of Cook County. The tenant will be served with a summons and given the opportunity to appear and contest the eviction.
Step 3 — Hearing: At the hearing, both parties may present evidence. If the court rules for the landlord, it will enter a judgment for possession. The court may also enter a monetary judgment for unpaid rent.
Step 4 — Enforcement (Order of Possession): After a judgment is entered, the landlord must obtain an order of possession and have the Cook County Sheriff execute it. Only the Sheriff may physically remove a tenant — a landlord cannot do so on their own.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: A landlord in Bellwood may not change the locks, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or remove a tenant's belongings to force them out without a court order. Such actions constitute illegal self-help eviction under Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/9-101) and may expose the landlord to significant civil liability. Tenants subjected to self-help eviction should contact legal aid immediately.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws — including Illinois statutes, Cook County rules, and any applicable local ordinances — can change, and the specific facts of your situation may affect how the law applies to you. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by reading this article. If you have a specific legal problem or dispute with your landlord, you should consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization such as Illinois Legal Aid Online or Prairie State Legal Services. Always verify current law before taking any action.
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