Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Jacksonville is a small city of approximately 18,000 residents in Morgan County, in west-central Illinois. As a college town home to Illinois College and MacMurray College, Jacksonville has a notable renter population including students, young professionals, and long-term residents who rely on private landlords for housing. Renters here most commonly seek information about security deposit returns, repair obligations, and what steps a landlord must take before eviction.
Jacksonville has no local tenant protection ordinances beyond what Illinois state law provides. This means your rights as a renter are governed entirely by Illinois statutes, including the Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), the Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710), and the Landlord and Tenant Act (765 ILCS 720). While these laws offer important baseline protections, renters in Jacksonville do not have access to the additional local ordinance rights available in cities like Chicago or Evanston.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and your specific situation may require guidance from a licensed attorney or legal aid organization. For free help, contact Prairie State Legal Services or Illinois Legal Aid Online.
Jacksonville has no rent control, and Illinois state law explicitly prohibits any municipality from enacting rent control ordinances. Under 765 ILCS 720/1 (the Rent Control Preemption Act), no local government in Illinois — including Jacksonville or Morgan County — may enact, maintain, or enforce any ordinance or resolution that controls or limits the amount of rent charged for private residential property.
In practical terms, this means your landlord in Jacksonville can raise your rent by any amount at the end of your lease term, with no cap on the increase. For month-to-month tenancies, the landlord must give you at least 30 days written notice before a rent increase takes effect. Once a fixed-term lease ends, the landlord can offer a renewal at any new price and you can choose to accept or vacate. There is no requirement that landlords justify a rent increase or limit it to any percentage tied to inflation or local housing costs.
Renters should budget carefully and review lease renewal terms well in advance. If you receive a notice of rent increase, verify that adequate notice was provided in writing before the effective date.
Although Jacksonville has no local ordinances, Illinois state law provides several important protections for all renters in the city.
Security Deposit Rules (765 ILCS 710 & 765 ILCS 710/1): Landlords who own five or more residential units must comply with the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act. They must return your security deposit within 30 days after you vacate the unit, along with an itemized written statement of any deductions for damages beyond normal wear and tear. If the landlord withholds the deposit without proper justification or fails to return it on time, you may be entitled to recover the deposit plus damages. Landlords of buildings with 25 or more units are also required to pay interest on security deposits held for more than six months under 765 ILCS 710/2.
Habitability (Illinois Common Law & 765 ILCS 735/1): Illinois recognizes an implied warranty of habitability for residential rentals. Landlords must maintain the property in a condition fit for human habitation — including functional plumbing, heating, structural safety, and freedom from pest infestations. If your landlord fails to make necessary repairs after receiving written notice, you may have remedies including rent withholding or repair-and-deduct, depending on the circumstances. Consult a legal aid attorney before exercising these remedies.
Notice to Terminate (735 ILCS 5/9-207): For month-to-month tenancies, either the landlord or tenant must give at least 30 days written notice prior to the end of a rental period to terminate the tenancy. For tenancies of a week-to-week basis, seven days notice is required. These minimum notice periods apply unless your lease specifies a longer period.
Anti-Retaliation (765 ILCS 720/1): Illinois law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who report housing code violations, complain to a government agency, or exercise any rights protected by law. Retaliation can include raising rent, reducing services, or attempting eviction in response to protected activity. If you face retaliation within one year of a protected complaint, that timing creates a rebuttable presumption of retaliation under Illinois law.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.): Illinois law prohibits self-help evictions. A landlord may not change your locks, remove your belongings, or shut off your utilities to force you out without first obtaining a court order. Doing so is illegal regardless of whether you owe rent. If this happens, you can seek emergency relief in court.
Jacksonville landlords who own five or more residential units are subject to the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710/1). Under this law, a landlord must return your full security deposit — or the remaining balance after valid deductions — within 30 days after you vacate the unit and return possession to the landlord.
If the landlord deducts any amount for damages beyond normal wear and tear, they must provide a written, itemized statement of deductions along with receipts or paid bills within that same 30-day window. Failure to provide the itemized statement or to return the deposit on time may forfeit the landlord's right to retain any portion of the deposit.
There is no statutory cap on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit in Jacksonville or under Illinois statewide law. However, the amount charged must be disclosed in your lease or rental agreement.
For buildings with 25 or more units, landlords must also pay interest on security deposits held for more than six months, at a rate set annually by the Illinois state government under 765 ILCS 710/2.
If your landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit or fails to comply with the return requirements, you may be entitled to sue in small claims court. Damages may include the withheld deposit plus court costs. Document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with photos and written checklists, and provide your forwarding address in writing to ensure the landlord can return your deposit promptly.
In Jacksonville, a landlord must follow Illinois law strictly before removing a tenant from a rental unit. Self-help eviction — such as changing locks, removing doors, or shutting off utilities to force you out — is illegal under 735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq. and may expose the landlord to civil liability.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve you with a written notice. The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing in Court: If you do not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction action (formerly called a forcible entry and detainer action) in Morgan County Circuit Court. You will be served with a summons and have the opportunity to appear at a hearing and present defenses.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: At the hearing, both parties can present evidence. Common tenant defenses include improper notice, landlord's failure to maintain habitable conditions, or retaliation. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, it will issue a judgment for possession.
Step 4 — Enforcement: After a court judgment, the landlord may obtain an order of possession. A sheriff's deputy — not the landlord — must carry out any physical removal. The landlord cannot act on their own to remove you or your belongings before this step.
Jacksonville renters facing eviction should seek legal assistance immediately. Contact Prairie State Legal Services for free legal aid if you are income-eligible.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are subject to change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation. If you have a specific legal problem or are facing eviction, please consult a licensed attorney or contact a legal aid organization in your area. You can reach Prairie State Legal Services or Illinois Legal Aid Online for free or low-cost assistance. Always verify current statutes and ordinances directly or with qualified legal counsel before taking action.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Use the Address Checker →We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.