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Round Lake is a village in Lake County in northeastern Illinois, situated within the broader Chicago metropolitan area. Like many Lake County communities, Round Lake has a significant renter population, and tenants here are governed entirely by Illinois state law — the village has enacted no local landlord-tenant ordinances beyond what the state provides.
Illinois renters most commonly search for information about security deposit return deadlines, protection against sudden rent increases, and their rights when a landlord fails to make repairs. Because Round Lake is not covered by the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO), which applies only within Chicago city limits and select opt-in municipalities, tenants must rely on statewide statutes including the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) and the Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01 et seq.), as well as general Illinois landlord-tenant law.
This page is an informational resource only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change and individual circumstances vary — if you have a specific dispute with your landlord, consult a qualified attorney or contact a legal aid organization serving Lake County.
Round Lake has no rent control or rent stabilization ordinance, and Illinois state law expressly prohibits local governments from enacting such measures. The Illinois Rent Control Preemption Act, codified at 765 ILCS 720/1, states that no unit of local government in Illinois may enact, maintain, or enforce any ordinance or resolution that would have the effect of controlling the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential or commercial property. This preemption applies statewide, meaning not only Round Lake but every municipality in Illinois — outside of any grandfathered exceptions — is barred from passing rent stabilization laws.
In practical terms, this means a landlord in Round Lake may raise your rent by any amount at the expiration of your lease term, subject only to providing you with proper advance written notice (at least 30 days for month-to-month tenancies under 735 ILCS 5/9-207). During a fixed-term lease, your rent is locked at the agreed amount, but once that lease ends, there is no cap on how much the landlord may increase it. Renters in Round Lake should budget accordingly and review any proposed lease renewal carefully before signing.
While Round Lake has no local ordinances, Illinois law provides several meaningful protections for all renters in the state.
Implied Warranty of Habitability: Illinois courts have long recognized an implied warranty of habitability under common law, requiring landlords to maintain rental units in a condition fit for human habitation. This means essential services such as heat, plumbing, electrical systems, and structural integrity must be kept in working order. If a landlord materially breaches this duty, Illinois courts have permitted tenants to withhold rent, repair and deduct, or terminate the lease — though these remedies carry legal risk and should be pursued carefully. See Jack Spring, Inc. v. Little, 50 Ill. 2d 351 (1972).
Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710/1): Landlords who hold security deposits from five or more units in Illinois must return the deposit (or provide a written itemized statement of deductions) within 30 days after the tenant vacates. Failure to comply entitles the tenant to recover the deposit plus damages. See the Security Deposit section below for full details.
Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01): Landlords covered by this Act must pay interest on security deposits held for more than six months.
Notice Requirements (735 ILCS 5/9-207): For month-to-month tenancies, either party must give at least 30 days written notice before terminating the tenancy. For tenancies of a week-to-week nature, seven days' notice is required. Fixed-term leases expire by their own terms without additional notice unless the lease provides otherwise.
Anti-Retaliation (765 ILCS 720/1 and common law): Illinois law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who complain to government authorities about housing code violations, organize with other tenants, or exercise any right protected by law. Retaliatory acts may include rent increases, eviction threats, or reduction of services. A tenant facing retaliation may raise it as a defense in an eviction proceeding.
Self-Help Eviction Prohibition: Illinois law prohibits landlords from removing a tenant through self-help methods — including changing locks, removing doors or windows, or shutting off utilities — without a court order. Such conduct may expose the landlord to civil liability. The lawful eviction process requires proper notice and a court judgment under 735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.
Illinois's Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710/1) governs how landlords must handle security deposits for buildings with five or more units. Under this law, after a tenant vacates, the landlord must either return the full deposit or provide the tenant with a written, itemized statement of deductions — along with any remaining balance — within 30 days of the date the tenant vacates the unit.
If the landlord fails to return the deposit or provide a proper itemized statement within that 30-day window, the tenant is entitled to recover twice the amount of the security deposit, plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees under 765 ILCS 710/1. This double-damages penalty is a significant protection for tenants in buildings of five or more units.
Illinois law does not impose a statewide cap on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit. Landlords may also charge first and last month's rent separately; tenants should clarify in writing what any upfront payment represents.
The Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01 et seq.) also requires landlords of buildings with 25 or more units to pay interest on security deposits held for more than six months, at a rate set annually by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Landlords who fail to pay interest owed may be required to return the deposit in full.
Tenants in Round Lake should document the move-in and move-out condition of the unit with photos or video and keep copies of all correspondence with their landlord regarding the deposit.
In Round Lake, a landlord must follow Illinois's formal court-based eviction process to remove a tenant. Self-help evictions — such as changing the locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out — are illegal under Illinois law and may expose the landlord to civil liability.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing an eviction lawsuit, 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 complaint (formerly called a forcible entry and detainer action) in the Circuit Court of Lake County under 735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq. The court will schedule a hearing and the tenant will be served with a summons.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge. The tenant has the right to present defenses — such as habitability problems, improper notice, or retaliation. If the court finds in the landlord's favor, it issues an order for possession.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If the tenant does not vacate after the court order, the landlord may obtain a writ of possession, which authorizes the Lake County Sheriff to physically remove the tenant. Only the Sheriff — not the landlord — may enforce this writ.
Tenants facing eviction in Round Lake should contact Prairie State Legal Services or Illinois Legal Aid Online immediately, as legal aid may be available and response deadlines are short.
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. Round Lake renters with active legal disputes — including evictions, security deposit claims, or habitability issues — should consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization serving Lake County. 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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