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Country Club Hills is a south suburban Cook County city of approximately 16,000 residents, many of whom rent apartments and single-family homes in a competitive south-suburban market. Renters here are covered exclusively by Illinois state law — there is no local rent control, no city-specific rental ordinance, and no municipal tenant bill of rights in effect. The most common questions Country Club Hills tenants ask involve security deposit returns, repair obligations, and the eviction process.
Illinois provides a baseline set of protections through the Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), the Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01 et seq.), statewide anti-retaliation provisions (765 ILCS 720/1), and established common-law habitability duties. Because Country Club Hills is located in Cook County but outside Chicago city limits, the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) does not apply here unless a specific Cook County ordinance extends those protections — and no such ordinance currently governs this city.
This article is a general informational resource only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and individual circumstances vary. If you face an eviction, believe your deposit was wrongfully withheld, or have a serious habitability issue, consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact one of the legal aid organizations listed at the bottom of this page.
Rent Control Status: Prohibited by State Law
Country Club Hills has no rent control ordinance, and Illinois state law makes it impossible for any municipality — including Country Club Hills — to enact one. The Illinois Rent Control Preemption Act (765 ILCS 720) expressly prohibits any unit of local government from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing any ordinance or resolution that would regulate the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential or commercial property.
In practical terms, this means your landlord in Country Club Hills can raise your rent by any amount at any time, as long as proper advance written notice is given before the next lease term begins. For a month-to-month tenancy, at least 30 days written notice of a rent increase is required so the tenant has time to accept the new terms or vacate. There is no cap on the percentage or dollar amount of any increase, and no requirement that a landlord justify the increase with cost data or any other documentation.
Renters who believe a rent increase is retaliatory — for example, issued shortly after a code complaint — may have a separate claim under 765 ILCS 720/1, which prohibits retaliatory rent increases. This is a different issue from rent control and is addressed in the state protections section below.
The following Illinois state laws apply to renters in Country Club Hills:
Security Deposit Return (765 ILCS 710)
The Illinois Security Deposit Return Act requires landlords who own five or more rental units to return a tenant's security deposit — along with an itemized statement of any deductions — within 30 days after the tenant vacates the unit. If the landlord fails to comply, the tenant may be entitled to recover twice the amount of the deposit wrongfully withheld, plus court costs and attorney fees.
Security Deposit Interest (765 ILCS 710/0.01 et seq.)
Landlords who hold security deposits for more than six months must pay interest on those deposits at a rate determined annually by the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation. Failure to pay interest can allow the tenant to deduct the owed interest from rent.
Habitability
Under Illinois common law, landlords owe tenants an implied warranty of habitability — the duty to maintain rental units in a condition fit for human habitation. This includes functioning heat, plumbing, structural integrity, and freedom from pest infestation. While Illinois does not have a single statewide habitability statute governing all private rentals, this warranty is recognized by Illinois courts and tenants may pursue remedies including rent withholding (via escrow), repair-and-deduct, or lease termination if conditions are serious enough.
Anti-Retaliation (765 ILCS 720/1)
Illinois law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who complain to a government authority about code violations, organize with other tenants, or otherwise exercise a legal right. Prohibited retaliatory acts include raising rent, decreasing services, or threatening eviction. A tenant facing retaliation may raise it as a defense in eviction proceedings or pursue an affirmative claim for damages.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition
Self-help eviction is illegal in Illinois. A landlord may not change locks, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or remove the tenant's personal property to force a tenant out. Landlords who engage in self-help eviction can face civil liability. The only lawful method for removing a tenant is through the Illinois court eviction process under 735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.
Notice Requirements
For month-to-month tenancies, either the landlord or tenant must give at least 30 days written notice before terminating the tenancy (735 ILCS 5/9-207). For nonpayment of rent, a landlord must serve a 5-day written notice to pay or vacate before filing for eviction (735 ILCS 5/9-209). For lease violations other than nonpayment, a 10-day notice to cure or vacate is required (735 ILCS 5/9-210).
Security Deposit Rules in Country Club Hills
Illinois does not impose a statewide cap on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit — your landlord may require any amount agreed upon in the lease. However, once collected, the deposit is governed by the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) and the Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01 et seq.).
Return Deadline: For landlords who own five or more rental units in Illinois, the security deposit must be returned within 30 days after the tenant surrenders possession of the unit. If the landlord intends to make deductions for damages beyond normal wear and tear, the landlord must provide a written itemized statement of those deductions within the same 30-day window, along with receipts or invoices for any repairs exceeding $126.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord subject to the Act 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 security deposit wrongfully withheld, plus court costs and reasonable attorney fees, under 765 ILCS 710/1. Note that this penalty provision applies to landlords owning five or more units; tenants renting from smaller landlords should consult legal aid to understand their options.
Interest on Deposits: Landlords who hold a security deposit for more than six months must pay annual interest at the rate set by the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (765 ILCS 710/0.01). Tenants who are not paid interest owed may deduct that amount from their rent after providing written notice to the landlord.
Normal Wear and Tear: Landlords may not deduct for ordinary wear and tear — minor scuffs, carpet wear from normal use, or small nail holes are generally not deductible. Only actual damage beyond normal use may be charged against the deposit.
Eviction Process in Country Club Hills
Illinois law provides a specific court-based process for evictions, governed by the Eviction Article of the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.). Landlords must follow each step precisely; failure to do so can result in dismissal of an eviction case.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing for eviction, 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 the Eviction Complaint: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction complaint in the Cook County Circuit Court. Country Club Hills cases are heard in the Cook County Municipal District courthouses. The landlord pays a filing fee and must properly serve the tenant with the summons and complaint.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge. Tenants have the right to present defenses, including improper notice, habitability problems, or retaliation. If the landlord prevails, the court issues an order of possession.
Step 4 — Enforcement: Only a Cook County Sheriff's deputy may physically remove a tenant pursuant to a valid court order. Landlords may not remove a tenant themselves.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: A landlord who changes locks, removes doors, shuts off utilities, or removes a tenant's belongings without a court order is committing an illegal self-help eviction and may be liable for damages to the tenant. Tenants who experience self-help eviction should contact local police and a legal aid organization immediately.
Just Cause: Country Club Hills has no just-cause eviction ordinance. After a fixed-term lease expires, a landlord may decline to renew without stating a reason, provided proper notice is given.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information on this page reflects laws as understood in April 2026 and may not account for subsequent legislative changes, local ordinance amendments, or court decisions. Every tenant's situation is unique — if you are facing eviction, a security deposit dispute, or any other housing legal matter, you should consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization before taking action. RentCheckMe makes no warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of this information to your specific circumstances.
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