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Evergreen Park is a small incorporated village in Cook County, Illinois, directly bordering the southwest side of Chicago. Despite its proximity to Chicago, Evergreen Park operates under its own municipal government and does not adopt Chicago's Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO). Renters here are governed exclusively by Illinois state law, including the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), the Illinois Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01), and statewide habitability and anti-retaliation protections.
Evergreen Park's rental market is modest in scale but tightly connected to the broader south suburban Cook County housing economy. Tenants most commonly seek information about security deposit returns, eviction notice requirements, and landlord repair obligations — all of which are addressed under state statute rather than any local ordinance. Understanding these state-level rights is essential for every renter in the village.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary. If you are facing an eviction, a withheld security deposit, or other housing issues, consult a qualified attorney or a free legal aid organization serving Cook County.
Evergreen Park has no rent control, and Illinois state law expressly prohibits it. Under 765 ILCS 720 — the Illinois Rent Control Preemption Act — no unit of local government in Illinois may enact, maintain, or enforce any ordinance or resolution that would regulate the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential or commercial property. This preemption applies statewide and covers every municipality, including Evergreen Park.
In practical terms, this means your landlord is legally permitted to raise your rent by any amount, at any time, provided they give you proper written notice before your lease or rental period ends. There is no cap on rent increases, no requirement that increases be tied to inflation, and no local board or agency to challenge an increase. If your lease is expiring, your landlord may offer a renewal at a higher rent or choose not to renew at all, subject only to the notice requirements described in this article. Renters who cannot afford a proposed increase have the right to decline and vacate with appropriate notice, but no legal mechanism exists in Evergreen Park to limit or roll back rent increases.
Illinois state law provides a set of baseline protections that apply to all renters in Evergreen Park regardless of the absence of a local ordinance.
Security Deposit Return (765 ILCS 710): Landlords who hold a security deposit are required to return it — along with an itemized written 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 security deposit as a penalty, plus court costs and reasonable attorney fees.
Security Deposit Interest (765 ILCS 710/0.01 et seq.): 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 annually by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Failure to pay earned interest may entitle the tenant to deduct the interest from rent or recover it in court.
Habitability: Illinois common law imposes an implied warranty of habitability on all residential leases. Landlords must maintain rental units in a condition that is safe, sanitary, and fit for human habitation. This includes maintaining functional heating, plumbing, electrical systems, and structural integrity. Tenants who are deprived of habitable conditions may have grounds to withhold rent, repair and deduct, or terminate the lease, though Illinois statutory procedures for these remedies are limited outside of Chicago's RLTO — consult a legal aid attorney before taking action.
Anti-Retaliation (765 ILCS 720/1): Illinois law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who complain to a governmental authority about code violations or assert other legal rights. Retaliatory acts — such as raising rent, reducing services, or threatening eviction in response to a complaint — are unlawful. A tenant facing retaliation may raise this as a defense in an eviction proceeding or pursue an independent claim.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition: Under Illinois law, a landlord may not resort to self-help measures to remove a tenant. Changing locks, removing doors or windows, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out without a court order is illegal and may expose the landlord to civil liability.
Notice to Terminate Month-to-Month Tenancy: Under 735 ILCS 5/9-207, a month-to-month tenancy may be terminated by either party with at least 30 days written notice prior to the end of a rental period. Week-to-week tenancies require at least 7 days written notice.
Illinois does not impose a statewide cap on the amount a landlord may collect as a security deposit. Landlords in Evergreen Park may request any amount they choose, though market norms typically range from one to two months' rent.
Return Deadline: Under the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710/1), a landlord must return the security deposit — or the portion not applied to legitimate deductions — within 30 days after the tenant surrenders possession of the rental unit. If the landlord intends to make deductions for damages beyond normal wear and tear, the landlord must also provide an itemized written statement of those deductions within that same 30-day window.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If the landlord willfully retains the security deposit without providing the required itemized statement within 30 days, or retains an amount greater than the actual damages, the tenant is entitled to recover twice the amount of the security deposit wrongfully withheld, plus court costs and reasonable attorney fees (765 ILCS 710/1).
Interest on Deposits: Landlords owning 25 or more residential units who hold a security deposit for more than six months must pay interest under the Illinois Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01 et seq.). The applicable interest rate is published annually by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Tenants should document all deposit payments with a receipt and keep a copy of their move-in inspection.
Evictions in Evergreen Park follow the Illinois Forcible Entry and Detainer Act (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.). A landlord must follow a specific legal process to remove a tenant — there are no shortcuts permitted under Illinois law.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, a landlord must serve the tenant with the appropriate written notice. The most common types are:
Step 2 — Court Filing: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction complaint in the Cook County Circuit Court. Evergreen Park cases are generally handled at the Daley Center or the appropriate Cook County branch courthouse. The tenant will be served with a summons and given the opportunity to appear and contest the eviction.
Step 3 — Hearing and Judgment: Both parties may present evidence at a hearing. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, it will issue an order for possession. If the tenant prevails — for example, by demonstrating the landlord retaliated or failed to maintain the unit — the eviction may be dismissed.
Step 4 — Enforcement: Only a Cook County Sheriff's officer may physically remove a tenant pursuant to a valid court order for possession. No landlord may take any self-help action to remove a tenant.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Under Illinois law, a landlord who changes locks, removes the tenant's belongings, shuts off utilities, or otherwise attempts to force a tenant out without a court order may be subject to civil liability for damages. Tenants who experience self-help eviction tactics should contact local law enforcement and a legal aid organization immediately.
Just Cause: Illinois does not require landlords to have a specific reason (just cause) to decline to renew a lease or to terminate a month-to-month tenancy, provided proper notice is given and the reason is not discriminatory or retaliatory.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information provided reflects Illinois state law and publicly available sources as of April 2026, but laws and local regulations can change. Every tenant's situation is unique, and this content cannot substitute for advice from a licensed attorney familiar with your specific circumstances. If you are facing an eviction, a security deposit dispute, or any other housing legal matter in Evergreen Park or Cook County, please contact a qualified attorney or a free legal aid organization such as those listed above to understand your rights and options.
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