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Lansing is a village of approximately 28,000 residents in southern Cook County, Illinois, situated near the Indiana border. A significant share of Lansing households are renters, and like all Illinois tenants outside of Chicago, they are governed primarily by statewide landlord-tenant statutes rather than any local ordinance. Understanding those state laws is essential for protecting your home and your finances.
Lansing renters most commonly ask about security deposit returns, what happens when a landlord fails to make repairs, and what rights they have when facing eviction. Illinois law addresses each of these issues directly, providing concrete timelines and remedies. The Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) does not apply in Lansing, so the relevant framework is Illinois state law, including the Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) and the Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01 et seq.).
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary. If you have a specific legal problem, consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a local legal aid organization.
Rent control is prohibited in Lansing and throughout Illinois. The Illinois Rent Control Preemption Act (765 ILCS 720/1) expressly forbids any unit of local government — including villages, cities, and counties — from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing any ordinance that controls the amount of rent charged for private residential property. This preemption applies statewide, meaning neither the Village of Lansing nor Cook County can pass a rent stabilization or rent control law.
In practice, this means a Lansing landlord can raise your rent by any amount, at any time, as long as they provide the legally required advance written notice before the rent increase takes effect. For a month-to-month lease, at least 30 days written notice is required before a new rent amount can be imposed. For fixed-term leases, the rent is locked in for the lease term and can only change at renewal. Tenants who receive a rent increase they believe is retaliatory — for example, after complaining about habitability — may have protections under the anti-retaliation statute (765 ILCS 720/1), but the increase itself is not capped.
Illinois state law provides several important protections for all renters, including those in Lansing:
Security Deposit Return (765 ILCS 710/1): Landlords who hold a security deposit must return it, along with any required interest, within 30 days of the tenant vacating the unit. If the landlord intends to make deductions, they must provide an itemized written statement of damages within that 30-day period. Failure to comply can make the landlord liable to the tenant for damages.
Security Deposit Interest (765 ILCS 710/0.01): Landlords who hold a security deposit for more than six months on residential property with 25 or more units must pay interest on the deposit at a rate set annually by the Illinois Comptroller. This obligation does not apply to smaller properties, but tenants in larger Lansing complexes should be aware of this right.
Implied Warranty of Habitability (Illinois common law; 765 ILCS 735/1): Every residential lease in Illinois contains an implied warranty that the landlord will maintain the property in a habitable condition. This means the landlord must keep the structure, plumbing, heating, and essential services in working order. If a landlord materially breaches this warranty, a tenant may have grounds to withhold rent, repair and deduct, or terminate the lease — though these remedies carry legal risk and tenants should seek legal advice before acting.
Anti-Retaliation (765 ILCS 720/1): Illinois law prohibits a landlord from retaliating against a tenant for reporting code violations, contacting a government agency about habitability, or exercising any legal right. Prohibited retaliatory acts include raising rent, reducing services, or threatening or initiating eviction. A tenant who can show the landlord acted in retaliation has a defense in eviction proceedings and may recover damages.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.): A landlord may not remove a tenant from a rental unit through self-help methods — such as changing the locks, removing doors, or shutting off utilities — without first obtaining a court order. Doing so is illegal in Illinois and exposes the landlord to civil liability.
Notice to Terminate (735 ILCS 5/9-207): For a month-to-month tenancy, either party must give at least 30 days written notice before the end of a rental period to terminate the tenancy. For week-to-week tenancies, 7 days notice is required. A landlord who fails to provide proper notice cannot legally pursue an eviction.
Illinois law governs security deposits for all Lansing rentals. There is no statutory cap on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit in Illinois outside of Chicago, so landlords in Lansing may charge any amount they and the tenant agree to, though amounts in excess of one or two months rent are uncommon.
Return deadline: Under the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710/1), a landlord must return the security deposit — less any lawful deductions — within 30 days after the tenant vacates the unit. If the landlord withholds any portion for damages, they must provide a written itemized statement of the damages and the estimated or actual cost of repair within that same 30-day window. The deductions must be for actual damage beyond normal wear and tear; routine cleaning or normal deterioration cannot be deducted.
Penalty for wrongful withholding: If a landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the required itemized statement within 30 days, the tenant may be entitled to recover the full deposit amount plus additional damages under 765 ILCS 710/1. Tenants should document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with dated photographs and written records, and send a written demand for return of the deposit if it is not received promptly.
Interest on deposits: Under the Illinois Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01), landlords of residential property with 25 or more units must pay interest on security deposits held for more than six months, at the rate set by the Illinois Comptroller. Tenants in smaller buildings are not entitled to interest under state law.
In Illinois, a landlord must follow a specific legal process to evict a tenant. Self-help eviction — including locking tenants out, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities — is strictly prohibited under Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.) and exposes the landlord to civil liability.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing for eviction, the landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice. The type and duration of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing an Eviction Complaint: 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 the Circuit Court of Cook County. The tenant will be served with a summons and given a court date.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both the landlord and tenant appear in court. Tenants have the right to present defenses, including improper notice, landlord retaliation, or a breach of the implied warranty of habitability. A tenant who does not appear risks a default judgment against them.
Step 4 — Order of Possession: If the court rules in the landlord's favor, it will issue an Order of Possession. The tenant will be given a short time to vacate. If the tenant does not leave voluntarily, the landlord can request that the Cook County Sheriff enforce the order. Only a sheriff's deputy can physically remove a tenant — the landlord cannot do so personally.
No just cause requirement: Illinois state law does not require a landlord to have just cause to terminate a month-to-month tenancy or decline to renew a fixed-term lease. However, an eviction initiated in retaliation for a tenant exercising legal rights may be challenged under the anti-retaliation statute (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 are subject to change, and the application of the law varies depending on the specific facts of each situation. Renters in Lansing, Illinois with specific legal questions or problems should consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization. RentCheckMe makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of this information and is not responsible for actions taken in reliance on it.
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