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Frankfort, Illinois is a fast-growing village in Will County with a population of roughly 22,000 residents. As the area has expanded, rental housing demand has risen, and many residents rent apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes throughout the village. Tenants in Frankfort are governed entirely by Illinois state law — there are no local rent stabilization ordinances or tenant protection codes that go beyond what the state provides.
The most common questions Frankfort renters ask involve security deposit returns, what happens when a landlord fails to make repairs, and what notice is required before an eviction. Illinois addresses each of these through the Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), the Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01), and well-established common law habitability standards. Understanding these protections helps renters in Frankfort advocate for themselves confidently.
This page provides a plain-language summary of the tenant rights laws that apply in Frankfort, Illinois. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Renters facing specific disputes are encouraged to contact a qualified attorney or legal aid organization.
Frankfort has no rent control, and Illinois state law makes it impossible for any local government in the state to enact one. The Illinois Rent Control Preemption Act (765 ILCS 720) expressly prohibits any unit of local government — including villages, cities, and counties — from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing any ordinance that controls or stabilizes the amount of rent charged for private residential or commercial property.
This means that a landlord in Frankfort may raise rent by any amount they choose, at any time permitted by the lease agreement. For month-to-month tenants, a landlord must provide at least 30 days written notice before a rent increase takes effect. For tenants on a fixed-term lease, the rent is set for the duration of the lease and cannot be changed until renewal. There is no cap on how much rent can be increased upon renewal.
In practice, Frankfort renters have no legal mechanism to challenge a rent increase as excessive. If a new rent amount is unacceptable, a tenant's options are to negotiate with the landlord, decline to renew the lease, or vacate with proper notice. Tenants who believe a rent increase is retaliatory — for example, following a code complaint — may have a separate legal claim under 765 ILCS 720/1.
Implied Warranty of Habitability: Illinois common law imposes a duty on landlords to maintain rental properties in a habitable condition throughout the tenancy. This includes functioning heat, plumbing, electrical systems, structurally sound walls and roof, and freedom from pest infestations. When a landlord fails to maintain habitable conditions, tenants may have the right to withhold rent, repair and deduct, or terminate the lease — but only after following proper legal procedures. Tenants should document all conditions in writing and provide written notice to the landlord before taking unilateral action.
Security Deposit Protections (765 ILCS 710 & 765 ILCS 710/0.01): The Illinois Security Deposit Return Act requires landlords who own five or more rental units to return a tenant's security deposit — with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 30 days after the tenant vacates. If the landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit, the tenant is entitled to recover twice the amount improperly withheld. The Security Deposit Interest Act also requires landlords of buildings with 25 or more units to pay annual interest on deposits held for more than six months.
Notice Requirements: For month-to-month tenancies in Illinois, either the landlord or the tenant must provide at least 30 days written notice before terminating the tenancy. For nonpayment of rent, a landlord must serve a written 5-Day Notice to Pay or Quit before filing for eviction. For lease violations other than nonpayment, a 10-Day Notice to Cure or Quit is typically required under Illinois eviction procedure (735 ILCS 5/9-209 and 735 ILCS 5/9-210).
Anti-Retaliation Protections (765 ILCS 720/1): Illinois law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who report code violations to a government authority, organize with other tenants, or assert their legal rights. Retaliation can include rent increases, reduction of services, or attempts to evict. If a landlord takes adverse action within one year of a protected activity, there is a rebuttable presumption of retaliation. A tenant who prevails on a retaliation claim may recover actual damages, attorney fees, and court costs.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction: Illinois law prohibits landlords from removing a tenant without a court order. A landlord may not change locks, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or remove the tenant's personal property to force them out. Such conduct exposes the landlord to civil liability and potential criminal charges under 720 ILCS 5/21-1 (criminal damage to property) and related statutes.
Illinois does not set a statewide cap on the amount a landlord may charge for a security deposit in Frankfort. Landlords may require any deposit amount they and the tenant agree to in the lease. However, once collected, the deposit is governed by specific statutory rules.
Under the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), landlords who own or manage five or more residential units must return the security deposit — or the balance after lawful deductions — within 30 days after the tenant vacates and delivers possession. If the landlord intends to make deductions, they must provide an itemized written statement of damages along with paid receipts or repair estimates within that same 30-day window. If no deductions are claimed, the full deposit must be returned within 30 days.
If a landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit — either by failing to return it on time or by making improper deductions — the tenant may sue and recover twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus court costs and attorney fees (765 ILCS 710/1). This penalty is intended to deter landlords from holding deposits without legitimate justification.
Under the Illinois Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01), landlords of buildings with 25 or more units must pay interest on security deposits held for six months or more. The interest rate is set annually by the Illinois Office of Banks and Real Estate. Landlords of smaller buildings are not required to pay interest under state law.
Tenants should always obtain a written receipt for their security deposit and document the condition of the unit with dated photographs at move-in and move-out to protect their rights under these statutes.
In Frankfort, a landlord must follow Illinois's court-supervised eviction process to remove a tenant. Self-help eviction — including changing locks, removing a tenant's belongings, or shutting off utilities — is illegal and exposes the landlord to civil liability. The formal process is governed by the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.).
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing for eviction, the landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice. The type 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 (formerly called a forcible entry and detainer action) in Will County Circuit Court. The court will schedule a hearing, typically within a few weeks. The tenant has the right to appear, present defenses, and contest the eviction.
Step 3 — Court Hearing and Judgment: If the court rules in the landlord's favor, it issues an order for possession. The tenant is given a date by which they must vacate. If the tenant does not leave voluntarily, the landlord may request that the Will County Sheriff enforce the order.
Step 4 — Sheriff Enforcement: Only a law enforcement officer — not the landlord — may physically remove a tenant after a court order is entered. The landlord must wait for the sheriff to execute the order. Any landlord who removes a tenant or their property without a court order may face civil liability.
No Just-Cause Requirement: Frankfort 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 with proper notice. However, a landlord may not terminate a tenancy for a discriminatory reason (in violation of the Illinois Human Rights Act, 775 ILCS 5/) or in retaliation for a protected activity (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 and local ordinances can change, and the application of the law to any specific situation depends on facts and circumstances that vary from case to case. Renters in Frankfort, Illinois who are facing an eviction, security deposit dispute, habitability problem, or other housing issue should consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization for advice specific to their situation. RentCheckMe makes no representation that the information on this page is current, complete, or applicable to any individual renter's circumstances.
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