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Hickory Hills is a small residential city in Cook County, Illinois, located in the southwestern suburbs of Chicago. While the city itself has no tenant-specific ordinances beyond Illinois state law, renters in Hickory Hills benefit from statewide protections covering security deposits, habitability, eviction procedures, and anti-retaliation — protections that apply to every landlord-tenant relationship in the state.
Renters in Hickory Hills most commonly have questions about how much of their security deposit a landlord can keep, what notice is required before eviction, and what to do when a landlord fails to make repairs. Because Hickory Hills does not have its own residential landlord-tenant ordinance, the answers to these questions are found entirely in Illinois state statutes and common law, including the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) and the Illinois Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/1 et seq.).
This article is intended as general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary. If you face a serious landlord-tenant dispute, consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a local legal aid organization for guidance specific to your situation.
Hickory Hills has no rent control, and Illinois state law explicitly forbids local governments from enacting it. Under the Rent Control Preemption Act, 765 ILCS 720/5, no unit of local government in Illinois — including Cook County municipalities — may enact, maintain, or enforce any ordinance that controls the amount of rent charged for private residential property. This statute has been in effect since 1997 and applies uniformly across the state.
In practical terms, this means your landlord in Hickory Hills can raise your rent by any amount at the end of your lease term, subject only to proper notice. For month-to-month tenants, Illinois courts have interpreted that a landlord must provide at least 30 days written notice before a rent increase takes effect. There is no cap on the percentage or dollar amount of that increase. If you do not agree to the new rent, your option is to vacate with proper notice or negotiate directly with your landlord.
Because rent control is preempted statewide, advocacy efforts by Cook County or any Hickory Hills body to cap rents would be legally unenforceable under 765 ILCS 720/5 unless the state legislature amends or repeals this law. Tenants seeking relief from high rents should consult Illinois Legal Aid Online or Prairie State Legal Services for information about any current legislative developments.
Even without a local landlord-tenant ordinance, Hickory Hills renters have meaningful protections under Illinois state law. The following are the most important:
Security Deposit Returns (765 ILCS 710/1): The Illinois Security Deposit Return Act requires landlords who own 5 or more units to return a tenant's security deposit — or provide a written, itemized statement of deductions — within 30 days after the tenant vacates. Deductions are limited to unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear. Failure to comply can entitle the tenant to damages. The Illinois Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/1 et seq.) also requires landlords owning 25 or more units to pay interest on deposits held for more than six months.
Implied Warranty of Habitability: Under Illinois common law, as affirmed in Jack Spring, Inc. v. Little, 280 N.E.2d 208 (Ill. 1972), every residential lease carries an implied warranty that the premises are habitable. Landlords must maintain essential services including heat, plumbing, electricity, and structural soundness. If a landlord materially breaches this warranty, tenants may have remedies including rent withholding or repair-and-deduct, though tenants should seek legal advice before withholding rent.
Anti-Retaliation (765 ILCS 720/1): Illinois law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants for reporting code violations, contacting government authorities about housing conditions, or exercising any legal right under a rental agreement or state law. Retaliatory acts include eviction, rent increases, or reduction of services. A tenant who proves retaliation may be entitled to actual damages and attorney fees.
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 next rent due date to terminate the tenancy. For week-to-week tenancies, 7 days notice is required. These are minimum standards; a lease may provide for longer notice periods.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition: Illinois law prohibits landlords from engaging in self-help eviction. A landlord may not change locks, remove doors, shut off utilities, or remove the tenant's personal property to force a tenant out without a court order. Doing so exposes the landlord to civil liability under 735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq. and potentially criminal charges.
Hickory Hills does not have a local security deposit ordinance, so the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710/1) governs. Here is what tenants need to know:
No statewide cap: Illinois state law does not limit the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit. Your landlord may require one month's rent, two months' rent, or another amount as a condition of the lease. Always get a receipt.
Return deadline — 30 days: For landlords who own 5 or more units, the deposit must be returned within 30 days after the tenant surrenders the property. If any portion is withheld, the landlord must provide a written itemized statement of deductions along with any remaining balance within that same 30-day window (765 ILCS 710/1).
Allowable deductions: Landlords may deduct for unpaid rent and for damage to the unit beyond ordinary wear and tear. They may not deduct for normal aging of carpets, paint, or fixtures.
Penalty for wrongful withholding: If a landlord who owns 5 or more units fails to return the deposit or provide a proper written itemization within 30 days, the tenant may be entitled to the full deposit plus damages under 765 ILCS 710/1. Courts have awarded tenants the withheld amount plus court costs and, in some cases, attorney fees. Tenants in Cook County should consult an attorney to understand the full scope of remedies available in a specific case.
Interest on deposits (765 ILCS 710/1 et seq.): Landlords who own 25 or more units and hold a deposit for more than six months must pay interest on that deposit at the rate set by the Illinois Treasurer. Failure to pay required interest is a separate violation from failure to return the deposit.
Evictions in Hickory Hills follow Illinois state eviction law set out in the Eviction Act, 735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq. A landlord must follow every step of the legal process to remove a tenant; shortcuts are illegal.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing an eviction lawsuit, the landlord must serve the tenant with proper written notice. The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing in Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction complaint in the Cook County Circuit Court. The tenant must be properly served with a summons and complaint.
Step 3 — Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge. Tenants have the right to present defenses, including that the landlord failed to maintain habitable conditions, retaliated against the tenant, or did not follow proper notice procedures. If the landlord prevails, the court issues an order of possession.
Step 4 — Enforcement: Only a Cook County sheriff or appointed officer may carry out the physical removal of a tenant pursuant to a court-issued order. The landlord has no legal authority to remove the tenant personally.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Under 735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq. and Illinois common law, a landlord may not change locks, remove doors or windows, shut off heat or utilities, or remove the tenant's belongings to force a tenant out without a court order. Tenants subjected to self-help eviction may sue the landlord for damages and seek emergency injunctive relief to be restored to possession.
No Just-Cause Requirement: Hickory Hills has no just-cause eviction ordinance. At the end of a fixed-term lease, a landlord may decline to renew without stating a reason, provided proper notice is given. During a lease term, the landlord may only evict for causes specified in the lease or recognized under Illinois law.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are complex, change frequently, and vary based on individual circumstances. Nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship. If you have a specific landlord-tenant dispute or legal question, you should consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization. RentCheckMe makes no warranty regarding the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the information provided, and is not responsible for any actions taken in reliance on this content.
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