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Norridge is a small village in Cook County, Illinois, located on Chicago's northwest border with a population of approximately 14,000 residents. A significant portion of Norridge residents rent their homes, and like renters throughout Illinois, they depend primarily on state law for their tenant protections. The village has no independent tenant rights ordinances, meaning Illinois statutes govern the landlord-tenant relationship in full.
The most commonly searched topics for Norridge renters involve security deposit returns, rent increase limits, and the eviction process. Illinois state law — particularly the Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), the Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01 et seq.), and the Landlord and Tenant Act (765 ILCS 720) — sets the baseline rules that all Norridge landlords must follow. The Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) does not apply in Norridge, as the village is a separate municipality from the City of Chicago.
This guide is intended as general educational information about tenant rights in Norridge, Illinois. It is not legal advice. Laws change, and individual circumstances vary — if you have a specific legal problem, consult a licensed Illinois attorney or a free legal aid organization.
Norridge has no rent control, and Illinois state law prohibits any municipality from enacting rent control ordinances. The Illinois Rent Control Preemption Act (765 ILCS 720) explicitly bars cities, villages, and counties from passing any ordinance that would control or stabilize residential rents. This preemption applies statewide and has been in effect since 1997, meaning Norridge — like virtually every other Illinois community outside of any potential future legislative change — cannot create local rent stabilization rules even if it wanted to.
In practice, this means a Norridge landlord can raise your rent by any amount with proper notice. For a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord must give at least 30 days written notice before a rent increase takes effect. For a fixed-term lease, the rent is locked at the agreed amount until the lease expires — your landlord cannot raise rent mid-lease unless the lease specifically allows it. Once the lease term ends, the landlord may offer a renewal at any new rent amount, and you have the choice to accept or vacate.
Illinois state law provides several important protections for Norridge renters:
Security Deposits (765 ILCS 710 & 765 ILCS 710/0.01): The Illinois Security Deposit Return Act requires landlords who own five or more units to return a tenant's security deposit — along with an itemized statement of deductions — within 30 days after the tenant vacates. If the landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit without a proper written accounting, the tenant may be entitled to recover twice the amount wrongfully withheld. Landlords of buildings with 25 or more units must also pay interest on deposits held for more than six months under the Security Deposit Interest Act.
Habitability: Illinois recognizes an implied warranty of habitability under common law (see Jack Spring, Inc. v. Little, 50 Ill. 2d 351 (1972)), requiring landlords to maintain rental units in a safe and livable condition — including functioning heat, plumbing, and structural integrity. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after proper written notice, tenants may have remedies including repair-and-deduct (for minor repairs) or, in serious cases, rent withholding, though these remedies carry legal risk and tenants should consult an attorney before acting.
Notice to Terminate (735 ILCS 5/9-207): For month-to-month tenancies, either the landlord or tenant must provide 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. These are minimum statutory requirements; a lease may specify a longer notice period.
Anti-Retaliation (765 ILCS 720/1): Illinois law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants for reporting code violations to a government agency, requesting legally required repairs, or exercising any right protected by law. Retaliatory acts can include eviction, rent increases, or reduction of services. If a landlord takes adverse action within one year of a protected activity, retaliation may be presumed.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.): A landlord may not lock out a tenant, remove doors or windows, or shut off utilities as a method of eviction. Self-help evictions are illegal in Illinois. A landlord must obtain a court judgment and an order of possession before a tenant can be lawfully removed by a sheriff.
Illinois's Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) governs security deposits for Norridge rentals where the landlord owns five or more residential units. Key rules include:
No statutory cap on deposit amount: Illinois state law does not limit how large a security deposit a landlord may collect. The amount is set by negotiation and stated in the lease.
30-day return deadline: After a tenant vacates, the landlord has 30 days to return the deposit along with an itemized written statement of any deductions for damages beyond normal wear and tear, unpaid rent, or other lease violations. Receipts or invoices supporting repair deductions must be included or provided within 30 days of the statement.
Penalty for wrongful withholding: If a landlord who owns five or more units fails to return the deposit or provide a timely, proper itemized statement, the tenant may sue to recover twice the amount of the deposit wrongfully withheld, plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees (765 ILCS 710/1).
Interest on deposits (765 ILCS 710/0.01 — Security Deposit Interest Act): For buildings with 25 or more units, landlords must pay annual interest on security deposits held for more than six months. The required interest rate is set by the Illinois Office of Banks and Real Estate.
Note: Landlords who own fewer than five units are not covered by 765 ILCS 710, but may still be subject to common law obligations regarding return of deposits. Always get a receipt for any deposit paid.
Illinois law strictly regulates the eviction process. A Norridge landlord cannot remove a tenant without following each required legal step:
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve the tenant with written notice. The type and length 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 (forcible entry and detainer) action in the Cook County Circuit Court. The tenant will receive a summons with a court date.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge. The tenant has the right to present a defense. If the judge rules in favor of the landlord, an Order of Possession is issued, typically with a short stay before enforcement.
Step 4 — Sheriff Enforcement: Only a Cook County Sheriff's deputy may physically remove a tenant after a court order. The landlord may not personally remove the tenant or their belongings (735 ILCS 5/9-101).
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: It is unlawful for a landlord to lock out a tenant, remove exterior doors or windows, shut off heat, electricity, or water, or otherwise interfere with the tenant's possession to force them out — even if the tenant owes rent. A tenant subjected to a self-help eviction may sue for damages under Illinois law.
The information on this page is provided for general educational 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. Norridge renters with legal questions or disputes 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 any actions taken in reliance on it.
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