Last updated: April 2026
Skokie renters in Cook County are protected by Illinois state law and key Cook County ordinances — but Illinois bans rent control and Skokie has no additional local tenant ordinances. Here is what every Skokie renter needs to know.
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Skokie is a large suburban village in Cook County, located immediately north of Chicago and home to approximately 67,000 residents. As a dense, diverse community with a significant rental housing stock, Skokie renters navigate a layered legal landscape governed by Illinois state law and, in some circumstances, Cook County ordinances. While Skokie itself has not enacted specific local tenant protections beyond state law, renters in Cook County benefit from some additional protections compared to the statewide minimum.
Illinois prohibits rent control statewide under 765 ILCS 720, and Skokie has no local rent regulation. Renters should focus on understanding Illinois state law protections — particularly the Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), the Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/2), statewide habitability rules, and anti-retaliation provisions — as well as any applicable Cook County residential tenant protections.
This guide is for general educational information only and does not constitute legal advice. Renters facing housing concerns should consult a qualified Illinois attorney or contact one of the legal aid organizations listed at the bottom of this page.
Skokie has no rent control, and Illinois state law prohibits any city or county from enacting it. The Illinois Rent Control Preemption Act, 765 ILCS 720, explicitly bars all units of local government in Illinois — including home-rule municipalities — from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing rent control or rent stabilization ordinances. This prohibition applies statewide and has been in effect since 1997. Neither Skokie nor Cook County may impose caps on the amount of rent a landlord may charge.
A Skokie landlord may raise rent by any amount at any time, provided proper written notice is given before the increase takes effect. For month-to-month tenancies, Illinois law requires at least 30 days' written notice to terminate or materially change a tenancy. There are no percentage limits, no annual caps, and no requirement for a landlord to justify the amount of a rent increase. Tenants who receive an increase they cannot afford must either accept it, negotiate with the landlord, or vacate after providing proper notice.
While cities like Chicago and Evanston have explored rent stabilization in recent years, all such efforts remain blocked by the state preemption statute. Unless 765 ILCS 720 is repealed or amended by the Illinois legislature, Skokie renters will have no legal recourse to challenge a rent increase on the basis of its amount alone.
Illinois state law provides the primary framework of tenant protections available to Skokie renters. The following statutes apply statewide and are enforceable in Cook County Circuit Court.
Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710): Landlords who collect a security deposit must return it — along with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 30 days of the date the tenant vacates the unit or provides written notice of intent to vacate, whichever is later. If the landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the required statement within 30 days, the tenant is entitled to the return of the deposit plus damages equal to twice the wrongfully withheld amount, plus attorney's fees, in a civil action. This statute applies to virtually all residential landlords in Illinois.
Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/2): In municipalities with 25 or more rental units, landlords who hold a security deposit for more than six months must pay interest on the deposit at the rate set annually by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Skokie qualifies under this provision, so landlords holding deposits for over six months must pay accrued interest to tenants. Failure to pay interest may reduce the permissible deductions from the deposit.
Habitability: Illinois common law recognizes an implied warranty of habitability for residential rental properties. Landlords must maintain rental units in a condition fit for human habitation, including functioning heat, safe electrical systems, adequate plumbing, and a structurally sound building. Tenants may have remedies for habitability failures including rent withholding, repair-and-deduct, and lease termination, though these remedies are developed primarily through Illinois case law rather than a single statute. Renters should document habitability deficiencies in writing and contact Prairie State Legal Services (pslegal.org) for guidance on pursuing remedies.
Notice to Terminate: Illinois law requires at least 30 days' written notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy for both landlords and tenants. This applies statewide, including Skokie. Longer notice periods may be required by individual lease agreements.
Anti-Retaliation: Under 765 ILCS 720/1, it is unlawful for a landlord to retaliate against a tenant for complaining about code violations, reporting the landlord to a government agency, or exercising any legal right. Retaliatory eviction or rent increases may be challenged in court, and a tenant who prevails may recover damages and attorney's fees.
Self-Help Eviction Prohibited: Illinois law prohibits landlords from removing tenants through self-help measures such as changing locks, removing doors, or shutting off utilities. All evictions must be processed through the Illinois court system. Violations may expose the landlord to civil liability.
Skokie itself has not enacted a comprehensive residential tenant ordinance comparable to the Chicago RLTO. However, Skokie renters in Cook County may benefit from county-level protections depending on any applicable Cook County residential tenant ordinance provisions in effect at the time of a dispute. Renters should check with Cook County or contact Prairie State Legal Services (pslegal.org) to confirm the current scope of any Cook County tenant protections that apply to unincorporated or incorporated areas within the county.
Chicago RLTO — Does Not Apply in Skokie: The Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (Chicago Muni. Code § 5-12-010 et seq.) applies only within the City of Chicago and does not extend to Skokie or other Cook County suburbs. Skokie renters should not rely on RLTO protections such as the Chicago-specific security deposit interest requirements, the right to cure, or Chicago's specific habitability remedies — these are inapplicable in Skokie. Instead, Skokie renters are governed by the Illinois statewide statutes described in the State Protections section above.
Security deposit protections for Skokie renters are governed by two Illinois statutes: the Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) and the Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/2).
Return Deadline: After a tenant vacates, the landlord has 30 days from the date of vacancy (or the date written notice was provided, whichever is later) to return the security deposit along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. The statement must identify each deduction, the amount, and the reason for it. Failure to comply within 30 days may entitle the tenant to the return of the deposit plus twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus attorney's fees (765 ILCS 710).
Interest on Deposits: Because Skokie has more than 25 rental units, landlords who hold a security deposit for more than six months must pay interest on the deposit at the rate set by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Failure to pay interest may affect the landlord's right to make deductions from the deposit. Ask your landlord about the current applicable interest rate when you move in.
Allowable Deductions: Landlords may only deduct for unpaid rent and for damage beyond normal wear and tear. Normal wear and tear — minor paint scuffs, small nail holes, carpet worn through routine use — cannot be charged to the tenant. Document the unit's condition with dated photographs and video at both move-in and move-out and keep copies of all written correspondence with your landlord.
Filing a Claim: Security deposit disputes can be filed in Cook County Circuit Court's First Municipal District (Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602) or in the appropriate suburban municipal district. Illinois Legal Aid Online (illinoislegalaid.org) provides free legal forms and guidance for deposit disputes.
Evictions in Skokie must follow Illinois statutory procedures. A landlord may not use self-help measures — changing locks, removing doors, shutting off utilities, or removing a tenant's belongings — to remove a tenant without a court order.
Step 1 — Written Notice: The landlord must serve a written notice appropriate to 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) at the Cook County Circuit Court. For Skokie, cases are typically heard at the Skokie Courthouse (5600 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL 60077) in the Second Municipal District. A hearing date is set and the tenant is served with a summons.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties present their case. Tenants may raise defenses including improper notice, habitability violations, retaliation (765 ILCS 720/1), or that rent was tendered and refused. Tenants who need legal assistance should contact Prairie State Legal Services (pslegal.org) or Illinois Legal Aid Online (illinoislegalaid.org) immediately after receiving the eviction complaint.
Step 4 — Judgment and Order of Possession: If the court enters a judgment for the landlord, it will issue an Order of Possession. The tenant typically has a short period to appeal or vacate voluntarily. If the tenant does not leave, the landlord must obtain a writ of possession executed by the Cook County Sheriff. Only the sheriff may physically remove the tenant — not the landlord.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Any landlord who locks out a tenant, removes their belongings, or shuts off utilities without a court order is subject to civil liability in Illinois. If this happens to you, call 911, document everything, and contact Prairie State Legal Services (pslegal.org) immediately.
No. Skokie does not have rent control, and Illinois state law (765 ILCS 720) prohibits any city or county from enacting it. The Illinois Rent Control Preemption Act bars all local governments — including home-rule municipalities — from imposing rent caps or rent stabilization measures. Landlords in Skokie may raise rent by any amount with no legal limits on the increase.
There is no legal limit on the amount of a rent increase in Skokie. Illinois's Rent Control Preemption Act (765 ILCS 720) bars all local rent regulation. For month-to-month tenancies, your landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice before terminating or materially modifying the tenancy, but there is no cap on the size of any rent increase. Your individual lease may specify a notice period longer than 30 days.
Under the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), your landlord has 30 days from the date you vacate (or the date you provided written notice of your intent to vacate, whichever is later) to return your deposit along with an itemized written statement of deductions. If the landlord fails to comply within 30 days, you may be entitled to the deposit plus twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus attorney's fees. Document your move-out date and provide your forwarding address in writing.
For nonpayment of rent, Illinois law requires a 5-day written notice to pay or vacate under 735 ILCS 5/9-209. For lease violations, a 10-day notice to cure or vacate is typically required under 735 ILCS 5/9-210. To terminate a month-to-month tenancy without cause, the landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice under 735 ILCS 5/9-207. If you receive an eviction notice, contact Prairie State Legal Services (pslegal.org) or Illinois Legal Aid Online (illinoislegalaid.org) immediately.
No. Self-help eviction — including changing locks, removing doors, removing your belongings, or shutting off utilities — is illegal in Illinois. A landlord must go through the court system and obtain an Order of Possession before a tenant can be removed, and only the Cook County Sheriff may execute a physical eviction. If your landlord locks you out or shuts off your utilities, call 911, document the situation, and contact Prairie State Legal Services (pslegal.org) immediately.
Illinois recognizes an implied warranty of habitability under which landlords must maintain rental units in livable condition. Send your repair request in writing and keep a copy. If the landlord fails to respond in a reasonable time, you may have remedies under Illinois common law including rent withholding, repair-and-deduct, or lease termination, though the process varies by situation. Contact Prairie State Legal Services (pslegal.org) or Illinois Legal Aid Online (illinoislegalaid.org) for guidance on your specific circumstances.
This page is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information reflects laws in effect as of April 2026, but tenant rights laws — including any applicable Cook County ordinances — can change. The application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. If you are facing eviction, a security deposit dispute, or another housing issue, consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact one of the legal aid organizations listed above. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and cannot provide legal representation or legal advice.
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