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Dixon is a small city of roughly 15,000 residents in Lee County in northern Illinois, situated along the Rock River. Like many smaller Illinois cities, Dixon does not have its own landlord-tenant ordinance, meaning renters here rely entirely on Illinois statewide law for their core protections — including rules on security deposits, habitability, eviction notice, and anti-retaliation.
Tenants in Dixon most commonly have questions about how quickly landlords must return security deposits, what qualifies as an illegal eviction, and what recourse exists when a landlord refuses to make repairs. Illinois statewide statutes — particularly the Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), the Landlord and Tenant Act (765 ILCS 720), and common law habitability standards — answer all of these questions and apply in full to Dixon renters.
This guide summarizes Illinois tenant rights as they apply to renters in Dixon, Lee County. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have a specific legal problem, consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a local legal aid organization.
Dixon has no rent control, and Illinois state law prohibits any city or county from enacting it. The Illinois Rent Control Preemption Act (765 ILCS 720/5) explicitly bars all units of local government — including cities, villages, and counties — from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing any ordinance that controls the amount of rent charged for private residential property.
In practical terms, this means a landlord in Dixon may raise rent by any amount and at any time, as long as proper written notice is provided before the increase takes effect. For month-to-month tenants, at least 30 days written notice is required before a rent increase. For tenants with a fixed-term lease, the landlord generally cannot raise rent until the lease term expires, unless the lease contains a specific rent-escalation clause.
Because there is no rent stabilization, no rent registry, and no cap on rent increases anywhere in Illinois outside of federally subsidized housing programs, Dixon renters who face large rent increases have no local or state mechanism to challenge the increase itself — though they do retain full rights regarding habitability, retaliation, and proper notice.
Illinois statewide law provides Dixon renters with several important protections, each grounded in specific statutes.
Habitability (Illinois Common Law & 765 ILCS 735/1): Landlords in Illinois are required under the implied warranty of habitability — recognized by the Illinois Supreme Court in Jack Spring, Inc. v. Little (1972) and reinforced by statute — to maintain rental units in a safe, sanitary, and livable condition. This includes functioning heat, plumbing, electrical systems, and structural soundness. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after reasonable notice, tenants may have remedies including repair-and-deduct (for minor repairs up to a reasonable cost) or rent withholding, though tenants should consult legal aid before taking these steps.
Security Deposit Rules (765 ILCS 710 & 765 ILCS 711): The Illinois Security Deposit Return Act requires landlords who own five or more units to return a tenant's security deposit — with an itemized statement of any deductions — within 30 days after the tenant vacates. Landlords who improperly withhold deposits may owe the tenant the wrongfully withheld amount plus damages. The Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710) also requires landlords of 25 or more units to pay interest on deposits held longer than six months.
Notice to Terminate (735 ILCS 5/9-207): For month-to-month tenancies, either the landlord or the tenant must give at least 30 days written notice before terminating the tenancy. For week-to-week tenancies, seven days written notice is required. These are minimum statutory requirements; a lease may specify a longer notice period.
Anti-Retaliation (765 ILCS 720/1): Illinois law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who complain to a government agency about code violations, assert their legal rights, or organize with other tenants. Retaliatory conduct includes unjustified rent increases, service reductions, and eviction threats. A tenant who faces retaliation within one year of a protected activity may raise retaliation as a defense in eviction court.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.): Illinois law prohibits landlords from engaging in self-help eviction. Changing locks, removing doors or windows, or deliberately shutting off utilities to force a tenant out are illegal. A landlord must obtain a court judgment and a sheriff's enforcement order before removing a tenant from the premises.
Dixon renters are protected by the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) and the Illinois Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 711). Illinois does not cap the amount a landlord may charge for a security deposit, so landlords in Dixon may require any deposit amount.
Return Deadline: Landlords who own five or more residential units must return the security deposit — or the remaining balance after lawful deductions — within 30 days after the tenant delivers possession of the unit. The landlord must also provide an itemized written statement of any deductions for damages (beyond normal wear and tear) along with paid receipts or repair invoices within that same 30-day window (765 ILCS 710/1).
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord who owns five or more units fails to return the deposit or provide the required itemized statement within 30 days, the tenant may be entitled to recover the full amount of the deposit wrongfully withheld plus court costs under 765 ILCS 710/1. Tenants should document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with photographs and written records to support any deposit dispute.
Interest on Deposits (765 ILCS 711): Landlords who own 25 or more units and hold a security deposit for more than six months must pay interest on the deposit at a rate set by statute. This requirement does not apply to smaller landlords.
Normal Wear and Tear: Landlords may not deduct from the security deposit for ordinary wear and tear — gradual deterioration that results from normal use of the unit — only for actual damages beyond that standard.
Evictions in Dixon follow Illinois statewide eviction procedure under the Forcible Entry and Detainer Act (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.). A landlord must follow every step of this process; shortcuts or self-help measures are illegal.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice. The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Court Filing: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction complaint in Lee County Circuit Court. The tenant will receive a court summons and has the right to appear and contest the eviction at a hearing.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: At the hearing, both parties may present evidence. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, it issues a judgment for possession. The tenant typically has a short period — set by the judge — to vacate voluntarily.
Step 4 — Enforcement: Only the Lee County Sheriff may physically remove a tenant after receiving an order of possession from the court. A landlord has no authority to remove the tenant personally.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Under 735 ILCS 5/9-101, a landlord may not change the locks, remove the tenant's belongings, shut off utilities, or use any other self-help method to force a tenant out. Tenants subjected to an illegal lockout or utility shutoff may seek emergency relief from the court and may have a claim for damages.
No Just Cause Requirement: Dixon and Illinois state law do not require a landlord to have a specific reason — beyond the end of a lease term or proper notice period — to choose not to renew a tenancy. However, evictions carried out in retaliation for a tenant exercising legal rights are prohibited under 765 ILCS 720/1.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. Dixon renters with legal questions or disputes 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 warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, or currency of this information.
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