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Crestwood is a village in Cook County, Illinois, situated in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. Like all Illinois communities outside of Chicago, Crestwood renters rely primarily on statewide tenant protections rather than local ordinances. The most common concerns among Crestwood renters include security deposit disputes, maintenance and habitability issues, and understanding eviction procedures.
Illinois statewide law provides a baseline of tenant protections through the Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), the Landlord and Tenant Act, and anti-retaliation statutes. Crestwood has not enacted any local tenant protection ordinances beyond what state law requires, so understanding Illinois statutes is essential for every renter in the village.
This article is intended as informational guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights law can be complex and fact-specific. If you are facing an eviction, a security deposit dispute, or another landlord-tenant issue, consult a licensed Illinois attorney or a local legal aid organization for advice tailored to your situation.
Crestwood has no rent control, and Illinois state law explicitly prohibits any municipality from enacting rent control ordinances. Under 765 ILCS 720 — the Rent Control Preemption Act — no unit of local government in Illinois may enact, maintain, or enforce any ordinance or resolution that regulates the amount of rent charged for privately owned residential or commercial property. This preemption applies to Crestwood and every other Illinois municipality outside of any limited exemptions recognized before the act's passage.
In practical terms, this means your landlord in Crestwood is free to raise your rent by any amount when your lease term ends. There is no cap on rent increases, no requirement that increases be tied to inflation, and no notice period mandated specifically for rent increases beyond the general notice required to alter a month-to-month tenancy (30 days). Before signing a renewal or a new lease, carefully review the proposed rent and terms, because once you agree, the new amount is binding.
Although Crestwood has no local tenant ordinances, Illinois state law provides several important protections for renters.
Security Deposit Rules (765 ILCS 710 & 765 ILCS 720): Under the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), landlords who own five or more rental units must return a tenant's security deposit — along with an itemized statement of any deductions — within 30 days of the tenant vacating the unit. Failure to comply can expose the landlord to damages. Landlords who own fewer than five units are still subject to common-law obligations to return deposits within a reasonable time.
Habitability: Illinois courts recognize an implied warranty of habitability in residential leases, derived from common law and reinforced by the Illinois Residential Tenants' Right to Repair Act (765 ILCS 742). Landlords must maintain rental units in a condition that is safe and fit for human habitation, including functioning heat, plumbing, and structural integrity. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after written notice, tenants may have the right to repair and deduct costs (up to one month's rent) or to terminate the lease under 765 ILCS 742.
Notice Requirements: For month-to-month tenancies, Illinois law requires at least 30 days written notice from either party before terminating the tenancy. For tenancies with a fixed-term lease, the lease itself governs termination. Nonpayment-of-rent evictions require a 5-day written notice to pay or vacate under 735 ILCS 5/9-209.
Anti-Retaliation (765 ILCS 720/1): Illinois law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who report code violations, complain to a government authority, or exercise any legal right under a lease or statute. Prohibited retaliatory actions include eviction, rent increases, and reduction of services. A tenant facing retaliation may raise it as an affirmative defense in eviction proceedings.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition: Self-help eviction — including changing locks, removing doors, or deliberately shutting off utilities to force a tenant out — is illegal under Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.). Landlords must use the court eviction process to remove a tenant.
Illinois does not impose a statewide cap on the amount a landlord may charge for a security deposit, so a Crestwood landlord may ask for any amount agreed upon in the lease.
Return Deadline: Under the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), landlords who own five or more rental units must return the security deposit — less any lawful deductions for unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear and tear — within 30 days of the tenant vacating the unit. The landlord must also provide a written, itemized statement of any deductions.
Itemized Statement: If the landlord intends to make deductions, an itemized statement of the damages and their cost must accompany or precede the return of any remaining balance within that 30-day window. Receipts or estimates for repair costs are required to support deductions under 765 ILCS 710/1.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: A landlord who wrongfully withholds all or part of a security deposit without providing the required itemized statement within the 30-day period may be liable to the tenant for the full amount of the security deposit, plus court costs and reasonable attorney fees under 765 ILCS 710/1. Additionally, under the Illinois Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 715), landlords who hold deposits on buildings with 25 or more units must pay interest on deposits held for more than six months.
Tenants should document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with photographs and written records to protect their rights in any deposit dispute.
Evictions in Crestwood follow Illinois state law procedures, which require landlords to obtain a court judgment before removing a tenant. Self-help eviction is strictly prohibited.
Step 1 — Written Notice: The type of notice required depends on the reason for eviction. For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must serve a written 5-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit under 735 ILCS 5/9-209. For lease violations other than nonpayment, a 10-Day Notice to Cure or Quit is typically required under 735 ILCS 5/9-210. For terminating a month-to-month tenancy without cause, at least 30 days written notice is required.
Step 2 — Filing in Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice (by paying, curing the violation, or vacating), the landlord may file an eviction complaint in the Cook County Circuit Court. The eviction action is governed by the Forcible Entry and Detainer Act (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.).
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both the landlord and tenant have the right to appear and present their case at the hearing. Tenants may raise defenses such as improper notice, retaliation (765 ILCS 720/1), or the landlord's failure to maintain habitable conditions. If the court rules in favor of the landlord, it will issue an Order of Possession.
Step 4 — Enforcement: Only a Cook County Sheriff's deputy can enforce an Order of Possession and physically remove a tenant. A landlord who attempts to remove a tenant without a court order — by changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities — is engaging in illegal self-help eviction prohibited under 735 ILCS 5/9-101 and may be subject to civil liability.
Just Cause: Illinois does not require landlords to have just cause to terminate a tenancy at the end of a lease term or a month-to-month arrangement. Proper notice is sufficient. However, eviction cannot be taken in retaliation for a tenant exercising legal rights under 765 ILCS 720/1.
The information provided in this article is 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. Crestwood renters with questions about their rights should consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization. RentCheckMe makes no warranties about the completeness or accuracy of this information and is not responsible for any actions taken in reliance on it.
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