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Shorewood is a growing village in Will County, Illinois, located in the southwest Chicago suburbs. As the region has expanded, rental housing demand has increased, and many residents rely on apartments, townhomes, and single-family rentals. Shorewood renters most commonly seek information about security deposit returns, lease terminations, and what to do when a landlord fails to make repairs.
Shorewood has no local tenant protection ordinances beyond what Illinois state law provides. That means the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), statewide anti-retaliation protections (765 ILCS 720/1), and Illinois common law habitability standards are the primary legal frameworks governing the landlord-tenant relationship in the village. Renters in Shorewood do not benefit from the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO), which applies only within Chicago's city limits.
This article provides a plain-language summary of the tenant rights that apply in Shorewood, Illinois. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Renters with specific legal concerns should consult a licensed attorney or contact a local legal aid organization.
Shorewood has no rent control, and Illinois state law expressly prohibits any municipality from enacting rent control ordinances. Under 765 ILCS 720/1, the Rent Control Preemption Act, home rule and non-home-rule units of local government in Illinois are barred from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing any ordinance or resolution that would control or stabilize rents. This statewide preemption applies to Shorewood, Will County, and every other jurisdiction outside Chicago — and even Chicago itself has not been exempted from this prohibition.
In practical terms, this means your landlord in Shorewood can raise your rent by any amount at the end of your lease term or, for month-to-month tenancies, with at least 30 days written notice. There is no cap on annual rent increases, no requirement to justify the increase, and no local board or agency to appeal to. Renters have no legal basis to challenge a rent increase simply because it is large — the only protection is the notice requirement before a new rate takes effect.
Tenants facing unaffordable rent increases should review their lease terms carefully, negotiate directly with their landlord, or explore assistance programs through Will County or the State of Illinois.
Illinois provides several important statewide protections for renters. Each applies in Shorewood regardless of whether the landlord mentions them in the lease.
Security Deposit (765 ILCS 710 & 765 ILCS 711): The Illinois Security Deposit Return Act requires landlords who own 5 or more units to return a tenant's security deposit — along with an itemized statement of any deductions — within 30 days after the tenant vacates. The Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710) requires landlords of 25 or more units to pay annual interest on deposits held for more than 6 months. Failure to comply can entitle tenants to damages.
Habitability: Illinois common law imposes an implied warranty of habitability on residential leases, requiring landlords to maintain rental units in a livable condition — including functioning plumbing, heat, structural integrity, and freedom from pest infestations. When a landlord fails to remedy serious defects after proper notice, tenants may have grounds to withhold rent, repair and deduct costs, or terminate the lease, depending on the circumstances.
Notice to Terminate (735 ILCS 5/9-207): For month-to-month tenancies, Illinois law requires at least 30 days written notice from either party to terminate the tenancy. For week-to-week tenancies, 7 days notice is required. Notice must be in writing and delivered properly to be legally effective.
Anti-Retaliation (765 ILCS 720/1): Illinois law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who complain to government authorities about code violations, exercise any legal right, or organize with other tenants. Retaliatory acts can include eviction, rent increases, or reduction in services. A tenant who proves retaliation may be entitled to damages and attorney's fees.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (720 ILCS 5/21-2): Illinois law makes it a criminal offense for a landlord to forcibly remove a tenant, change locks, or shut off utilities as a means of eviction without a court order. Tenants subjected to a self-help eviction can seek emergency relief from a court and may be entitled to damages.
Illinois does not set a statewide cap on the amount a landlord may collect as a security deposit. A landlord in Shorewood can generally require any deposit amount, though the terms should be stated in the written lease.
Return deadline: Under the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710/1), landlords who own 5 or more residential units must return the security deposit — minus any lawfully withheld amounts — within 30 days after the tenant surrenders possession of the unit. The landlord must also provide an itemized written statement of any deductions for damages beyond normal wear and tear.
Penalty for wrongful withholding: If a landlord who owns 5 or more units fails to return the deposit or provide the required itemized statement within the 30-day window, the tenant may be entitled to recover twice the amount of the security deposit withheld, plus court costs and attorney's fees, under 765 ILCS 710/1. Landlords of fewer than 5 units are not subject to the same statutory penalty but may still face a civil claim for the unreturned amount.
Interest on deposits (765 ILCS 711/1): Landlords who own 25 or more units and hold a security deposit for more than 6 months must pay interest on the deposit at the rate announced by the Illinois Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate. Failure to pay required interest allows the tenant to deduct the interest from rent.
Tenants should document the unit's condition at move-in and move-out with dated photographs and written notes, and should always request a receipt for any deposit paid.
Illinois landlords must follow a strict legal process to evict a tenant. Self-help eviction — including changing locks, removing doors, or shutting off utilities — is illegal under 720 ILCS 5/21-2 and can expose a landlord to criminal liability and civil damages.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing for eviction, a landlord must serve the tenant with a 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) complaint in the Will County Circuit Court. The tenant will be served with a summons and a hearing date will be scheduled.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge. Tenants have the right to present defenses, including improper notice, retaliation, or the landlord's failure to maintain habitable conditions. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, a judgment for possession is entered.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: After judgment, the landlord may request a writ of possession from the court. A sheriff's deputy — not the landlord — carries out the physical removal if the tenant does not vacate voluntarily.
No just cause requirement: Shorewood and Illinois do not require a landlord to have just cause to refuse to renew a lease or to terminate a month-to-month tenancy, as long as proper notice is given. Tenants facing eviction should contact a legal aid organization as early as possible.
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 these laws depends on the specific facts of each situation. Renters in Shorewood, Illinois with legal questions or concerns should consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization. RentCheckMe does not guarantee 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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