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Collinsville is a mid-sized city in Madison County, Illinois, located in the Metro East region of the St. Louis metropolitan area. A significant share of Collinsville residents rent their homes, and like all Illinois renters outside of Chicago, they rely primarily on state law for their tenant protections. State statutes govern everything from how quickly a landlord must return a security deposit to the specific steps a landlord must follow before evicting a tenant.
Renters in Collinsville most commonly seek answers about security deposit returns, what happens when a landlord fails to make repairs, and how much notice is required before a tenancy ends or an eviction proceeds. Illinois law provides meaningful baseline protections in all of these areas, even though Collinsville has not enacted any local tenant rights ordinances beyond what the state requires.
This page summarizes the Illinois tenant rights laws most relevant to Collinsville renters. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Renters with specific legal questions should consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a legal aid organization.
Collinsville has no rent control ordinance, and Illinois state law expressly prevents any municipality from enacting one. The Rent Control Preemption Act, 765 ILCS 720/1, prohibits all Illinois counties, municipalities, and other units of local government from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing any ordinance that controls or limits the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential property. This preemption applies uniformly across Illinois, including Collinsville and all of Madison County.
In practical terms, this means a Collinsville landlord may raise rent by any amount at the end of a lease term, or with proper written notice during a month-to-month tenancy, and there is no legal cap on how high that increase can be. A landlord who wishes to raise rent must provide at least 30 days written notice before the increase takes effect on a month-to-month lease. Tenants who receive a rent increase they find unacceptable may choose not to renew their lease but cannot challenge the amount of the increase under any state or local rent regulation law.
Illinois state law provides several important protections for Collinsville renters, summarized below.
Implied Warranty of Habitability (Illinois Common Law): Illinois courts recognize an implied warranty of habitability in all residential leases. Landlords must maintain rental units in a condition fit for human habitation — including functional heating, plumbing, electrical systems, and structural integrity. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after receiving written notice, tenants may have remedies including rent withholding, repair-and-deduct, or lease termination, depending on the severity of the deficiency.
Security Deposit Rules (765 ILCS 710 & 765 ILCS 711): The Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) requires landlords to return a tenant's security deposit within 30 days after the tenant vacates, accompanied by an itemized written statement of any deductions. The Illinois Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 711) requires landlords who manage 25 or more units to pay interest on deposits held for more than six months. Failure to comply with these statutes can expose the landlord to damages.
Notice to Terminate (735 ILCS 5/9-207): For month-to-month tenancies, Illinois law requires at least 30 days written notice from either party before the tenancy can be terminated. For week-to-week tenancies, 7 days notice is required. Neither party may end a periodic tenancy without providing the legally required advance written notice.
Anti-Retaliation (765 ILCS 720/1): Illinois law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants for complaining to a governmental authority about housing code violations, organizing a tenants' union, or exercising any legal right. Retaliatory actions can include rent increases, eviction notices, or reduction of services. A tenant who can demonstrate retaliation may raise it as a defense in eviction proceedings.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition: Illinois law prohibits self-help evictions. A landlord may not lock out a tenant, remove doors or windows, or willfully shut off utilities in order to force a tenant to vacate. The only lawful way to remove a tenant is through the court eviction process under 735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.
Illinois does not set a statutory cap on the amount a landlord may charge for a security deposit in Collinsville or anywhere outside of Chicago. Landlords may charge any amount agreed to in the lease.
Return Deadline: Under the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710/1), a landlord must return the security deposit — along with a written, itemized statement of any deductions — within 30 days after the tenant surrenders possession of the rental unit. If the landlord claims damages, the itemized statement must be accompanied by paid receipts or repair estimates.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of a security deposit in violation of 765 ILCS 710/1, the tenant may be entitled to recover the wrongfully withheld amount plus damages. Courts have awarded tenants damages including the amount of the deposit unlawfully retained, and in some cases additional damages under equitable or contract theories. Tenants should document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with photographs and written records to support any claim.
Interest on Deposits (765 ILCS 711/1): Landlords who own or manage 25 or more residential units in Illinois are required to pay interest on security deposits held for more than six months. The interest rate is set annually by the Illinois State Treasurer. This requirement does not apply to smaller landlords.
Tenants should always obtain a written receipt for any security deposit paid and keep a copy of their lease and any move-in inspection reports.
To evict a tenant in Collinsville, a landlord must follow the formal court process established under Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.). Self-help evictions — including changing locks, removing the tenant's belongings, or shutting off utilities — are illegal and can expose the landlord to civil liability.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice. The type and duration of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing in Court: 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 Madison County Circuit Court. The tenant will receive a summons and a court date.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both the landlord and tenant appear before a judge. Tenants have the right to present defenses, including improper notice, habitability issues, or retaliation. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, it will issue a judgment for possession.
Step 4 — Enforcement: Only after obtaining a court judgment and an order of possession can the landlord ask the Madison County Sheriff to physically remove the tenant. A landlord who attempts to remove a tenant without a court order commits an illegal lockout under Illinois law.
No Just Cause Requirement: Collinsville and Illinois do not require landlords to state a reason for non-renewing a lease at the end of its term, as long as proper notice is given. Just cause eviction protections do not apply here.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are subject to change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. Renters in Collinsville, Illinois with legal questions or concerns should consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization such as Prairie State Legal Services or Illinois Legal Aid Online. RentCheckMe makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of this information and is not responsible for actions taken in reliance upon it.
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