Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Streator is a small city in LaSalle County, Illinois, with a population of approximately 12,000 residents. Like many smaller Illinois cities, a meaningful share of Streator households rent their homes, making it important for tenants to understand the state-level protections that apply to them. Streator has no local tenant rights ordinances, so Illinois state law is the primary — and complete — source of tenant protections for renters in the city.
The most common questions Streator renters have involve security deposit returns, landlord responsibilities to maintain habitable conditions, and what steps a landlord must follow before an eviction. Illinois law addresses each of these through the Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), the Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01 et seq.), and established common law habitability standards. Renters should also be aware that Illinois prohibits self-help evictions, meaning a landlord cannot lock you out, remove your belongings, or shut off utilities to force you to leave.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary. If you are facing an eviction, lease dispute, or other housing problem, consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact one of the legal aid organizations listed at the bottom of this page.
Streator has no rent control, and Illinois state law makes it impossible for Streator — or any Illinois city outside of a narrow exception — to enact one. The Illinois Rent Control Preemption Act, 765 ILCS 720/5, explicitly prohibits any unit of local government from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing any ordinance or resolution that would control the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential or commercial property. This statute has been in effect since 1997 and applies statewide.
In practical terms, this means your landlord in Streator may raise your rent by any amount, at any time, as long as proper written notice is provided before the increase takes effect. For month-to-month tenants, that means at least 30 days' advance written notice of a rent increase. For tenants with a fixed-term lease, the rent is locked in for the duration of the lease and cannot be raised until renewal. Once the lease term ends, the landlord is free to set a new rent amount with no cap or limit under Illinois law.
Renters who feel a rent increase is retaliatory — for example, following a complaint about repairs — may have legal remedies under the Illinois anti-retaliation statute (765 ILCS 720/1), but this does not limit the amount of a rent increase itself.
Although Streator has no local ordinances, Illinois state law provides several important baseline protections for all renters in the city.
Implied Warranty of Habitability: Under Illinois common law, all residential landlords must maintain rental units in a safe and habitable condition throughout the tenancy. This includes functioning heat, plumbing, structurally sound walls and roof, and freedom from severe pest infestations. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after receiving reasonable written notice, tenants may have the right to repair and deduct costs, withhold rent, or terminate the lease — though tenants should consult legal aid before taking any of these steps.
Security Deposit Protections (765 ILCS 710 & 765 ILCS 710/0.01): Illinois law requires landlords to return security deposits within 30 days of the tenant vacating (or 45 days if the landlord claims deductions), along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. Failure to comply can expose the landlord to liability for the wrongfully withheld amount plus damages. See the Security Deposit section below for full details.
Notice Requirements: Illinois law requires that month-to-month tenancies be terminated with at least 30 days written notice by either party. Fixed-term leases expire on their stated end date without additional notice unless the lease states otherwise.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (765 ILCS 720/1): Landlords are prohibited from retaliating against tenants who complain to a government authority about code violations, organize with other tenants, or exercise any legal right. Retaliation may include eviction, rent increases, or reduction in services. A tenant who proves retaliation may be entitled to damages and attorney fees.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.): Illinois law strictly prohibits landlords from locking out tenants, removing doors or windows, shutting off utilities, or removing a tenant's belongings to force them out without a court order. Any such action is illegal and may entitle the tenant to damages.
Illinois law governs security deposits for Streator rentals through two key statutes: the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) and the Illinois Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01 et seq.).
Deposit Cap: Illinois state law does not set a maximum cap on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit. The deposit amount is determined by the lease agreement.
Return Deadline: After a tenant vacates, the landlord has 30 days to return the full security deposit. If the landlord intends to make deductions for damages beyond normal wear and tear, the landlord must provide the tenant with an itemized written statement of those deductions within 30 days (or 45 days if the cost of repair is not yet known at the 30-day mark) under 765 ILCS 710/1.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the required itemized statement within the statutory timeframe, the tenant may be entitled to recover the entire deposit amount, regardless of any legitimate deductions the landlord might otherwise have claimed. Courts may also award attorney fees under 765 ILCS 710/1. Tenants who believe their deposit was wrongfully withheld should send a written demand to the landlord and consult legal aid if the landlord does not respond.
Interest on Deposits: Landlords who hold a deposit for more than six months and manage a building with 25 or more units are required to pay interest on the deposit under the Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01). Most small landlords in Streator are unlikely to meet the 25-unit threshold, but tenants in larger complexes should be aware of this right.
Normal Wear and Tear: Landlords may only deduct for damages beyond normal wear and tear. Faded paint, minor scuffs, and ordinary carpet wear are generally considered normal wear and tear and cannot be charged against a deposit.
In Streator, a landlord must follow the legal eviction process established under Illinois law. A landlord may never remove a tenant through self-help methods such as changing locks, removing doors, or shutting off utilities — these actions are illegal under 735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.
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 — Court Filing: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction complaint in LaSalle County Circuit Court. The tenant will be served with a summons and given a date to appear. Tenants have the right to appear and present a defense.
Step 3 — Hearing: At the hearing, both parties present their case before a judge. If the judge rules in the landlord's favor, a judgment for possession is entered. Tenants may raise defenses such as the landlord's failure to maintain habitable conditions, improper notice, or retaliation.
Step 4 — Order of Possession & Enforcement: After a judgment is entered, the court issues an order of possession. Only a LaSalle County Sheriff's deputy may physically remove a tenant who refuses to leave voluntarily. The landlord cannot personally remove the tenant or their belongings.
No Just Cause Required: Streator has no just-cause eviction ordinance. A landlord may choose not to renew a lease without providing a specific reason, as long as proper notice is given and the non-renewal is not retaliatory or discriminatory.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information presented here reflects Illinois law as understood in April 2026 and may not reflect subsequent changes to statutes, regulations, or court interpretations. Tenant rights situations are highly fact-specific, and the information on this page may not apply to your individual circumstances. Renters in Streator, Illinois who have questions about their rights or are facing a housing dispute should consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization such as Prairie State Legal Services or Illinois Legal Aid Online. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by use of this site.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Use the Address Checker →We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.