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Chicago is Illinois's largest city and one of the most renter-dense cities in the United States, with roughly 56% of its households occupied by renters. The city's tenant rights landscape is shaped by both Illinois state law and the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO), codified at Chicago Municipal Code § 5-12-010 et seq. The RLTO was enacted in 1986 and applies to most residential rental units within city limits, providing protections that go significantly beyond what state law alone requires.
Chicago renters most commonly search for information about security deposit rights, eviction procedures, and landlord repair obligations. The RLTO addresses all of these topics in detail and gives tenants meaningful remedies — including the right to withhold rent, make repairs and deduct costs, or terminate a lease — when landlords fail to meet their legal obligations. Understanding which rules apply to your specific unit is important, as some properties (owner-occupied buildings with six or fewer units, for example) are exempt from portions of the RLTO.
This page provides a general overview of Chicago and Illinois tenant rights laws as of April 2026. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and the specific facts of your situation matter. If you are facing an eviction, a security deposit dispute, or a habitability problem, consult a qualified attorney or free legal aid organization before taking action.
Chicago has no rent control, and landlords may raise rents by any amount with proper notice. Illinois state law explicitly preempts all local rent control ordinances under the Rent Control Preemption Act, 765 ILCS 720/1. The statute provides that "no unit of local government ... may enact, maintain, or enforce any ordinance or resolution that would have the effect of controlling the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential or commercial property." This preemption applies to Chicago, Evanston, and every other municipality in the state.
In practice, this means a Chicago landlord can raise your rent to any amount at the end of a lease term, as long as proper notice is given. For month-to-month tenancies, at least 30 days' written notice of a rent increase is required before the increase takes effect. There is no cap on the percentage or dollar amount of the increase, and no requirement that the landlord justify the new rent amount.
Advocacy groups have periodically pushed for legislation to repeal or amend 765 ILCS 720, but as of April 2026, the preemption remains fully in effect. Chicago renters who are concerned about affordability should look into whether their unit qualifies for any affordable housing programs administered by the Chicago Department of Housing.
Illinois state law and the Chicago RLTO together provide Chicago renters with a robust set of protections. The most important are summarized below.
Implied Warranty of Habitability. Illinois common law requires landlords to maintain residential units in a habitable condition throughout the tenancy. The Chicago RLTO codifies and expands this duty at Chicago Municipal Code § 5-12-110, specifying that landlords must comply with all applicable building codes, keep facilities in good repair, maintain heating capable of sustaining at least 68°F from September 15 through June 1, and ensure working plumbing, electricity, and common areas. If a landlord fails to maintain habitability after receiving written notice, tenants may withhold up to a proportionate share of rent, make repairs and deduct the cost (up to one month's rent), or terminate the lease — depending on the severity of the violation (§ 5-12-110).
Security Deposit Protections. The Chicago RLTO (§ 5-12-080 through § 5-12-082) requires landlords who hold security deposits from more than one tenant to keep those funds in a federally insured interest-bearing account, provide the tenant with written notice of the bank and account within 14 days of receiving the deposit, and pay annual interest. The Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) independently requires all Illinois landlords to return deposits within 30 days of lease termination. See the Security Deposit section below for full details.
Notice Requirements. Under the Chicago RLTO (§ 5-12-130), landlords must provide written notice to terminate a tenancy — at least 30 days for month-to-month leases and at least 60 days for tenants who have resided in the unit for more than three years. Statewide, the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/9-207) also establishes minimum notice periods for termination of periodic tenancies.
Anti-Retaliation Protections. The Illinois Retaliatory Eviction Act (765 ILCS 720/1) and Chicago RLTO § 5-12-150 both prohibit landlords from retaliating against tenants who complain to authorities about housing code violations, organize with other tenants, or exercise any legal right. Retaliation may include eviction, rent increases, service reductions, or harassment. A tenant who proves retaliation is entitled to two months' rent or actual damages (whichever is greater) plus attorney's fees under § 5-12-150.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition. The Chicago RLTO § 5-12-160 and Illinois law prohibit landlords from engaging in self-help eviction tactics, including changing locks, removing doors or windows, or deliberately shutting off utilities to force a tenant out. A landlord who does so is liable to the tenant for actual damages or two months' rent, whichever is greater, plus attorney's fees and court costs.
Deposit Cap: Neither Illinois state law nor the Chicago RLTO imposes a cap on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit. Landlords may require any amount they choose, though it must be disclosed in writing at the start of the tenancy.
Interest Requirement: Under Chicago Municipal Code § 5-12-080, any landlord who holds a security deposit from a residential tenant and owns more than six rental units must deposit those funds in a federally insured interest-bearing savings account. The landlord must provide the tenant with written notice of the financial institution's name and address and the account number within 14 days of receiving the deposit. Interest accrues at a rate set annually by the City Comptroller and must be paid to the tenant each year (or credited toward rent) and at the end of the tenancy.
Return Deadline: Under the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710/1) and Chicago RLTO § 5-12-080, a landlord must return the security deposit — less any legitimate deductions — within 30 days after the tenant vacates the unit. If the landlord intends to make deductions, they must provide an itemized written statement of damages within 30 days, accompanied by paid receipts or repair estimates. If the landlord requests estimates, the actual paid receipts must follow within 30 days after that.
Penalties for Wrongful Withholding: If a Chicago landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of a security deposit, or fails to comply with the notice and interest requirements of § 5-12-080, the tenant is entitled to twice the amount of the deposit plus interest, court costs, and reasonable attorney's fees. Under the statewide Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710/1), a landlord who fails to return a deposit within 30 days is liable for the full deposit amount, damages, and attorney's fees. Chicago's RLTO remedy is typically stronger, and tenants can pursue the greater of the two remedies.
Practical Tip: Document the condition of your unit with dated photographs at move-in and move-out, keep copies of all communications with your landlord about the deposit, and send any written requests via certified mail to create a paper trail.
Chicago landlords must follow a strict legal process to evict a tenant. Self-help evictions — changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities without a court order — are illegal under Chicago Municipal Code § 5-12-160 and expose landlords to significant liability.
Step 1 — Written Notice. Before filing in court, a landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice. The type and length of notice depend on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing an Eviction Lawsuit. If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction complaint (formerly called a forcible entry and detainer action) in the Circuit Court of Cook County. The case is filed in the First Municipal District, Daley Center, Chicago. The tenant will be served with a summons and a court date.
Step 3 — Court Hearing. Both parties appear before a judge. Tenants have the right to raise defenses, including the landlord's failure to comply with RLTO notice requirements, retaliatory eviction, or breach of the warranty of habitability. If the landlord wins, the court issues an order for possession.
Step 4 — Enforcement. After a judgment for possession, the landlord must obtain an execution order and work with the Cook County Sheriff to carry out the eviction. Only a sheriff's deputy may physically remove a tenant and their belongings; the landlord may not do so independently (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.).
Just Cause: Illinois does not have a statewide just cause eviction requirement, and the Chicago RLTO does not mandate just cause for non-renewal of a lease. However, evictions that are motivated by retaliation or discrimination are prohibited and may be raised as defenses in court (Chicago Muni. Code § 5-12-150; Illinois Human Rights Act, 775 ILCS 5/3-102).
This page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws in Chicago and Illinois are subject to change through legislative action, court decisions, and municipal ordinance amendments. The information on this page reflects our best understanding of the law as of April 2026 but may not reflect recent changes. Your specific situation may be affected by facts not addressed here, including the type of unit you rent, your lease terms, and local enforcement practices. If you are facing an eviction, a security deposit dispute, a habitability issue, or any other housing legal matter, please consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a free legal aid organization in your area before taking action.
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