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Glen Ellyn is a suburban village in DuPage County, Illinois, with a population of roughly 28,000 residents. A meaningful share of households in Glen Ellyn rent their homes, whether apartments, condominiums, or single-family properties. Renters here are primarily governed by Illinois state law, as Glen Ellyn has not enacted local tenant-protection ordinances beyond what the state requires.
The most common questions Glen Ellyn tenants ask concern security deposit returns, what notice a landlord must give before ending a tenancy or raising rent, and what to do when a landlord fails to make repairs. All of these matters are addressed by Illinois statutes, particularly the Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), the Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 715), and the statewide eviction procedures under 735 ILCS 5/9-201 through 9-321. Renters should also be aware of common-law habitability protections recognized by Illinois courts.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and individual circumstances vary — if you face an eviction, dispute over your deposit, or an uninhabitable unit, contact a qualified attorney or a free legal aid organization for guidance specific to your situation.
Glen Ellyn has no rent control, and Illinois state law prevents it from ever enacting one. The Illinois Rent Control Preemption Act (765 ILCS 720/1 et seq.) explicitly prohibits all units of local government — including villages, cities, and counties — from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing any ordinance that controls the amount of rent charged for leased residential property. This preemption applies statewide, meaning that even municipalities that might wish to cap rent increases cannot do so under current law.
In practical terms, this means a landlord in Glen Ellyn may raise your rent by any amount, at any time, as long as they provide the legally required advance notice before the increase takes effect. For a month-to-month tenancy, at least 30 days written notice is required before a rent increase or termination. For fixed-term leases, the rent is locked in for the lease period, but the landlord may propose a new (higher) rent upon renewal. There is no cap, no formula, and no local board that reviews increases. Renters who cannot afford a proposed increase must either negotiate with the landlord or exercise their right to vacate with proper notice.
Although Glen Ellyn has no local ordinances, Illinois state law provides several important baseline protections for all renters.
Security Deposits (765 ILCS 710 & 715): The Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01 et seq.) requires landlords who own five or more units to return a tenant's security deposit — along with an itemized statement of any deductions — within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates. The Illinois Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 715/0.01 et seq.) requires landlords owning 25 or more units to pay annual interest on deposits held for more than six months. Wrongful withholding entitles the tenant to the deposit plus damages as set out in the statute.
Implied Warranty of Habitability: Illinois courts recognize an implied warranty of habitability in residential leases. Landlords must maintain rental units in a condition that is safe, sanitary, and fit for human habitation. If a landlord materially fails to maintain habitable conditions — such as by failing to provide heat, fix a leaking roof, or address a serious pest infestation — a tenant may have remedies including rent withholding or repair-and-deduct, subject to proper notice and procedural requirements. Tenants should document conditions thoroughly before exercising these remedies.
Notice to Terminate (735 ILCS 5/9-207): For month-to-month tenancies, either party must give at least 30 days written notice before the end of a rental period to terminate the lease. For weekly tenancies, seven days notice is required. These minimums apply unless the lease provides for a longer notice period.
Anti-Retaliation (765 ILCS 720/1): Landlords may not retaliate against tenants for reporting code violations, complaining to a governmental authority about conditions, or organizing with other tenants. Retaliatory acts can include attempting to evict, raising rent, or reducing services within a protected period after a tenant exercises a legal right. A tenant who is subjected to retaliation may raise it as a defense in an eviction proceeding or pursue an independent claim.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.): Illinois law requires a landlord to obtain a court order before removing a tenant. Changing locks, removing doors or windows, shutting off utilities, or otherwise interfering with the tenant's peaceful possession without a court judgment is unlawful self-help eviction. Tenants subjected to these tactics may seek emergency injunctive relief and damages.
Illinois does not impose a statewide cap on the dollar amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit. In Glen Ellyn, landlords may charge whatever amount they and the tenant agree to in the lease, though market norms typically keep deposits at one to two months' rent.
Return Deadline: Under the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01 et seq.), landlords who own five or more residential units must return the security deposit — or the portion not subject to a valid deduction — within 30 days after the tenant vacates and returns possession of the unit. If the landlord intends to make deductions, they must provide an itemized written statement of those deductions along with any balance due to the tenant within that same 30-day window. If the costs of repairs are not yet known, the landlord must provide an initial itemized statement within 30 days and a final accounting within 30 additional days.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord who owns five or more units willfully fails to return the deposit or provide a proper itemized statement within the required time, the tenant is entitled to recover the full amount of the deposit wrongfully withheld (765 ILCS 710/0.01). Tenants should send a written demand letter before filing a claim and should keep records of their move-out date and the unit's condition, including photographs.
Interest on Deposits (765 ILCS 715/0.01 et seq.): Landlords who own 25 or more units must hold deposits in an interest-bearing account and pay annual interest to the tenant if the deposit is held for more than six months. The interest rate is set each year by the Illinois state treasurer.
Evictions in Glen Ellyn follow Illinois state law procedures set out primarily in the Forcible Entry and Detainer Act (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.). A landlord cannot remove a tenant without completing all required legal steps, including providing written notice and obtaining a court judgment.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, a landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice. The type and duration of the notice depend 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 the DuPage County Circuit Court. The tenant will be served with a summons and given an opportunity to respond and appear at a hearing.
Step 3 — Hearing and Judgment: At the hearing, both parties may present evidence. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, it will enter a judgment for possession and may award past-due rent. The court will set a date by which the tenant must vacate.
Step 4 — Enforcement: If the tenant has not left by the court-ordered date, the landlord may request that the DuPage County Sheriff execute a writ of possession to physically remove the tenant and their belongings. Only a sheriff — not the landlord — may carry out a physical removal.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: A landlord may never lock out a tenant, remove doors or windows, cut off heat, water, electricity, or other utilities, or otherwise interfere with the tenant's possession outside of the court process. Doing so exposes the landlord to liability, and the tenant may seek emergency court relief to be restored to possession.
Just Cause: Illinois law does not require a landlord to have just cause to end a month-to-month tenancy or decline to renew a fixed-term lease. However, a landlord may not evict a tenant in retaliation for exercising legal rights (765 ILCS 720/1), and federal law prohibits evictions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability (Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3604).
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information on this page reflects laws and regulations as of April 2026, but tenant rights laws can change, and local ordinances may be enacted or amended at any time. Every tenant's situation is different — if you are facing an eviction, a security deposit dispute, or unsafe housing conditions, you should consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization for advice specific to your circumstances. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and does not establish an attorney-client relationship with any reader.
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