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Glen Carbon is a village in Madison County, Illinois, located in the Metro East region of the St. Louis metropolitan area. The community has grown steadily in recent decades, with a mix of renters and homeowners. Renters in Glen Carbon frequently search for information on security deposit returns, eviction notice requirements, and their landlord's obligations to maintain safe and habitable housing.
Unlike Chicago and a handful of larger Illinois cities, Glen Carbon has no local tenant protection ordinances beyond what state law provides. This means renters here rely entirely on Illinois statewide statutes — primarily the Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), the Rent Control Preemption Act (765 ILCS 720), and general Illinois landlord-tenant common law — for their core protections. Understanding these state-level rights is essential for every Glen Carbon renter.
This page summarizes the key tenant rights that apply in Glen Carbon as of April 2026. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary — consult a licensed Illinois attorney or a legal aid organization for advice specific to your situation.
Rent Control Status: Prohibited by State Law
Glen Carbon has no rent control ordinance, and Illinois law makes it impossible for the village to enact one. The Rent Control Preemption Act, 765 ILCS 720/1, explicitly prohibits any unit of local government in Illinois from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing any ordinance or resolution that controls the amount of rent charged for privately owned residential or commercial property. This preemption applies statewide — including Madison County and Glen Carbon.
In practice, this means your landlord can raise your rent by any amount at lease renewal or, for month-to-month tenancies, with proper advance notice. There is no cap on rent increases, no required justification, and no local board or agency that reviews rent hikes. The only practical limit on rent increases is the notice requirement: for a month-to-month tenancy, your landlord must give you at least 30 days written notice before a rent increase takes effect.
Habitability (Illinois Common Law & ILCS)
Illinois landlords are required under common law to maintain rental units in a habitable condition throughout the tenancy. This means the property must have functioning heat, plumbing, structural integrity, and freedom from conditions dangerous to health or safety. While Illinois lacks a single comprehensive statewide residential landlord-tenant statute, courts and the Illinois Attorney General's guidance confirm that the implied warranty of habitability applies to all residential leases statewide. If your landlord fails to make necessary repairs after reasonable notice, you may have remedies including rent withholding or repair-and-deduct, though these should be pursued carefully and ideally with legal guidance.
Security Deposit (765 ILCS 710 & 765 ILCS 711)
The Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) requires landlords of residential properties with five or more units to return a tenant's security deposit — minus any itemized deductions for unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear and tear — within 30 days of the tenant vacating. An itemized statement of deductions must accompany any withholding. The Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 711) requires landlords of such properties to pay interest on deposits held for more than six months. Wrongful withholding exposes the landlord to liability for the amount improperly withheld plus court costs.
Notice to Terminate (735 ILCS 5/9-207)
For month-to-month tenancies in Illinois, either the landlord or tenant must provide at least 30 days written notice before the end of a rental period to terminate the tenancy. Under 735 ILCS 5/9-207, notice must be delivered in writing and must expire at the end of a rental period. Failure to provide adequate notice may result in liability for an additional month's rent.
Anti-Retaliation (765 ILCS 720/1)
Illinois law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who report code violations, complain to a government agency, or exercise any legal right. Retaliatory conduct can include unjustified rent increases, threats, or attempts to terminate a tenancy in response to protected activity. A tenant facing retaliation may raise it as a defense in an eviction proceeding or pursue a separate legal claim.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.)
Illinois law prohibits landlords from engaging in self-help eviction. A landlord may not change the locks, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or remove the tenant's belongings to force a tenant out without first obtaining a court judgment for eviction and a court-issued order of possession. Such actions are unlawful regardless of whether the tenant owes rent.
Glen Carbon renters are protected by the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act, 765 ILCS 710, which applies to residential rental properties with five or more units. Under this statute, landlords must return the security deposit — or the balance remaining after any lawful deductions — within 30 days after the tenant has vacated the unit.
If the landlord intends to withhold any portion of the deposit for unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear and tear, they must provide the tenant with an itemized written statement of deductions within that same 30-day period. Failure to provide this itemized statement within 30 days can forfeit the landlord's right to retain any portion of the deposit.
If a landlord wrongfully withholds a security deposit in violation of 765 ILCS 710, the tenant may sue to recover the amount wrongfully withheld, plus court costs. For properties with five or more units, the Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 711) also requires landlords to pay annual interest on deposits held for more than six months, at a rate set by the Illinois Office of Banks and Real Estate.
There is no statutory cap on the amount a landlord in Glen Carbon may charge as a security deposit under Illinois statewide law. Tenants should document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with dated photographs to protect against disputed deductions.
To evict a tenant in Glen Carbon, a landlord must follow the formal legal process established under Illinois law. Self-help eviction — changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities — is strictly prohibited under 735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq. and may expose the landlord to civil liability.
Step 1 — Written Notice (735 ILCS 5/9-207 & 5/9-209)
The landlord must first serve the tenant with a written notice. The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
• Non-payment of rent: 5-day written notice to pay or vacate (735 ILCS 5/9-209).
• Lease violation: 10-day written notice to comply or vacate (735 ILCS 5/9-210).
• Month-to-month termination (no cause): 30-day written notice to terminate (735 ILCS 5/9-207).
Step 2 — Filing an Eviction Complaint
If the tenant does not comply with the notice or vacate by the deadline, the landlord may file a Forcible Entry and Detainer action in the Madison County Circuit Court. The landlord must pay the applicable filing fee and serve the tenant with a summons and complaint.
Step 3 — Court Hearing
The tenant has the right to appear and present a defense at the hearing. Common defenses include improper notice, retaliation, or habitability issues. If the court finds in the landlord's favor, it issues an Order of Possession.
Step 4 — Enforcement by Sheriff
Only a Madison County Sheriff's officer may physically remove a tenant pursuant to a court-issued Order of Possession. A landlord who attempts to remove a tenant without this order may be held liable for damages.
Illinois law does not require just cause (a specific reason) to terminate a tenancy at the end of a lease term in Glen Carbon. However, the landlord must still follow proper notice procedures and obtain a court judgment before any removal.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws in Illinois and Glen Carbon may change, and individual circumstances vary significantly. Nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship. If you have a specific legal problem — including an eviction, security deposit dispute, or habitability issue — you should consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization in your area. RentCheckMe makes no warranty regarding the accuracy or completeness of this information and is not responsible for actions taken in reliance on it.
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