Last updated: April 2026
Bloomington renters are governed by Illinois state landlord-tenant law — there is no local rent control and no city-specific tenant ordinance in place. Here is what McLean County renters need to know.
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Bloomington is the county seat of McLean County and, together with neighboring Normal, forms the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area in central Illinois. Renters in Bloomington are governed entirely by Illinois state landlord-tenant law — there is no Bloomington-specific tenant ordinance comparable to the Chicago or Champaign RLTOs.
Illinois state law (765 ILCS 720) prohibits local governments from enacting rent control, so neither the City of Bloomington nor McLean County may cap rent increases. Core tenant protections flow from the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), the Anti-Eviction Act, and related state statutes governing habitability, anti-retaliation, and eviction procedure.
This page is intended as general informational education only and does not constitute legal advice. Renters facing urgent housing issues should contact Prairie State Legal Services or Illinois Legal Aid Online.
Bloomington has no rent control, and Illinois state law (765 ILCS 720) prohibits local governments from enacting rent control or rent stabilization ordinances. This statewide preemption means neither the City of Bloomington nor McLean County has any legal authority to limit rent increases, require rent registration, or cap how much a landlord can charge.
A Bloomington landlord may raise rent by any dollar amount. The only constraint is proper written notice before the change takes effect — at least 30 days' notice for month-to-month tenancies under Illinois law. Fixed-term lease tenants are protected from rent increases until the lease expires unless the lease expressly permits mid-term changes.
Illinois state law provides the following key protections for Bloomington renters:
In Bloomington, security deposit rules are governed by the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) and the Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/1 et seq.). There is no Illinois statewide cap on the amount of a security deposit — the amount is whatever is agreed to in your lease. However, landlords must follow strict return procedures.
Return Deadline: After you vacate the unit, your landlord has 30 days to return your security deposit along with a written itemized statement of any deductions. The statement must specify each deduction and the dollar amount charged for each claimed repair or expense.
Penalty for Non-Compliance: If your landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the required itemized statement within 30 days, you may be entitled to twice the amount wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees under 765 ILCS 710/1. This penalty is designed to incentivize prompt return.
Allowable Deductions: Landlords may deduct for unpaid rent and for damage beyond normal wear and tear. Document the unit's condition with dated photographs at both move-in and move-out, and provide your forwarding address in writing when you move out.
To evict a tenant in Bloomington, a landlord must follow Illinois's formal eviction process — self-help methods are illegal.
Step 1 — Written Notice: The landlord must first serve a written notice on the tenant:
Step 2 — Filing in Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction (forcible entry and detainer) action in McLean County Circuit Court. The tenant will be served with a summons and has the right to appear and contest the eviction.
Step 3 — Hearing: At the hearing, tenants may raise defenses including habitability violations, improper notice, retaliation, or payment of rent. Tenants unable to afford an attorney should contact Prairie State Legal Services well before the hearing date.
Step 4 — Judgment and Enforcement: If the court enters a judgment for the landlord, an order of possession is issued. Only the McLean County Sheriff's Office may physically remove a tenant — the landlord has no authority to do so independently.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: A landlord who changes locks, shuts off utilities, or removes a tenant's belongings without a court order may face civil liability. Contact Prairie State Legal Services or Illinois Legal Aid Online immediately if this occurs.
No. Bloomington has no rent control ordinance. Illinois state law (765 ILCS 720) prohibits local governments from enacting rent control or rent stabilization ordinances statewide. Neither the City of Bloomington nor McLean County has any authority to cap rent increases.
There is no cap. Illinois has no rent stabilization law, so landlords may raise rent by any amount at lease renewal. For month-to-month tenancies, at least 30 days' written notice is required before the increase takes effect. Fixed-term lease tenants are protected from increases until the lease expires unless the lease expressly allows mid-term changes.
30 days from move-out under the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710). The landlord must provide a written itemized statement of any deductions and return any remaining balance. Failure to comply may entitle you to twice the withheld amount plus attorney's fees.
5 days for nonpayment of rent, 10 days for lease violations, or at least 30 days to terminate a month-to-month tenancy under Illinois law. After proper notice, the landlord must file in McLean County Circuit Court to obtain a judgment — they cannot remove you without a court order.
No. Self-help eviction is illegal in Illinois. A landlord who changes locks, removes doors, or shuts off utilities to force you out without a court order may face civil liability. Contact Prairie State Legal Services or Illinois Legal Aid Online immediately if this happens.
Illinois common law imposes an implied warranty of habitability. Send your landlord a written repair request and keep a copy. If they fail to act, you may be able to raise habitability as a defense in any eviction proceeding or seek rent abatement through McLean County Circuit Court. Contact Prairie State Legal Services or Illinois Legal Aid Online for guidance before withholding rent.
This article provides general information about tenant rights in Bloomington, Illinois and is not legal advice. Laws change — verify current rules with a local attorney or tenant organization before taking action.
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