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Washington is a city of approximately 16,000 residents in Tazewell County, situated along the Illinois River corridor in central Illinois. A significant share of Washington residents rent their homes, and many renters have questions about rent increases, security deposit returns, and the eviction process — especially as rental markets tighten across the Midwest.
All renters in Washington are governed by Illinois state law. The most important statutes include the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), the Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 715), and the statewide anti-retaliation statute (765 ILCS 720). Washington has no city-specific rental ordinances beyond what state law requires, so understanding Illinois statutes is essential for every Washington renter.
This page is intended as an informational overview only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and individual circumstances vary — if you have a specific legal problem, consult a licensed attorney or contact a legal aid organization in your area.
Washington, Illinois does not have rent control, and no local government in Illinois may enact rent control under any circumstances. The Illinois Rent Control Preemption Act, codified at 765 ILCS 720, explicitly prohibits any unit of local government — including cities, counties, and townships — from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing any ordinance or regulation that controls or limits the amount of rent charged for private residential property.
This means your landlord in Washington can raise your rent by any amount at the end of a lease term or, for month-to-month tenancies, with proper advance notice. There is no cap on how much rent can increase, no required justification for a rent hike, and no local board you can appeal to for relief. The only practical limitation is that a landlord must give adequate written notice before a rent increase takes effect — at least 30 days for month-to-month tenancies — and cannot raise rent in retaliation for a tenant exercising a legal right under 765 ILCS 720/1.
In practice, Washington renters facing significant rent increases have limited recourse beyond negotiating with their landlord, seeking alternative housing, or consulting a legal aid organization if they believe the increase is retaliatory in nature.
Illinois state law provides a baseline of protections for all renters in Washington, regardless of whether any local ordinance exists.
Habitability (Illinois Common Law & 765 ILCS 735/1): Landlords in Illinois are required by common law to maintain rental units in a habitable condition throughout the tenancy. This means functional plumbing, heating, structural integrity, and freedom from conditions dangerous to health or safety. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after written notice, tenants may have remedies including rent withholding or repair-and-deduct, though these remedies can be legally complex and tenants should seek legal guidance before acting.
Security Deposit (765 ILCS 710 & 765 ILCS 715): The Illinois Security Deposit Return Act requires landlords who hold security deposits to return them within 30 days of the tenant vacating the unit, accompanied by an itemized statement of any deductions. The Security Deposit Interest Act requires landlords of buildings with 25 or more units to pay interest on deposits held for more than six months.
Notice to Terminate (735 ILCS 5/9-207): For month-to-month tenancies in Illinois, either the landlord or the tenant must give at least 30 days written notice before terminating the tenancy. For tenancies of a week-to-week nature, 7 days notice is required. Fixed-term leases expire at the end of the lease term without additional notice unless the lease specifies otherwise.
Anti-Retaliation (765 ILCS 720/1): Illinois law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who complain to a government authority about housing code violations, organize with other tenants, or exercise any right protected by law. Retaliatory acts can include rent increases, eviction threats, service reductions, or harassment. A tenant who suffers retaliation may have a legal defense in eviction proceedings and may be entitled to damages.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.): Illinois law requires landlords to use the court system to remove a tenant. A landlord may not change the locks, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or use any other self-help measure to force a tenant out. Such actions are illegal regardless of whether the tenant owes rent.
Washington renters are protected by two Illinois statutes governing security deposits: the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) and the Illinois Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 715).
No Statutory Cap: Illinois state law does not cap the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit. Landlords in Washington may charge any amount agreed upon in the lease, though excessive deposits are sometimes addressed in lease negotiations.
Return Deadline: Under 765 ILCS 710/1, a landlord must return the security deposit — along with any accrued interest if applicable — within 30 days after the tenant vacates the unit. If the landlord intends to make deductions for damages beyond normal wear and tear, they must provide the tenant with a written, itemized statement of those deductions within the same 30-day window, along with any receipts or invoices for repair costs exceeding $20.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the required itemized statement within 30 days, the tenant may be entitled to recover twice the amount of the security deposit wrongfully withheld, plus court costs and reasonable attorney fees, under 765 ILCS 710/1. This penalty applies when the landlord's failure is found to be in bad faith or unjustified.
Interest on Deposits (765 ILCS 715): In buildings with 25 or more units, landlords must pay annual interest on security deposits held for more than six months. The interest rate is set annually by the Illinois Office of Banks and Real Estate. Most residential buildings in Washington are smaller than 25 units, but tenants in larger complexes should be aware of this right.
Tenants should document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with dated photographs and written checklists, and should always request a receipt for any deposit paid.
Evictions in Washington, Illinois are governed by the Illinois Forcible Entry and Detainer Act (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.). A landlord must follow a strict legal process to remove a tenant — there are no shortcuts.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing any 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 in Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction complaint in the Tazewell County Circuit Court. The tenant will be served with a summons and given an opportunity to appear and respond.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge. The tenant has the right to present defenses, including improper notice, retaliation (765 ILCS 720/1), or habitability issues. If the landlord prevails, the court enters an order of possession.
Step 4 — Enforcement: If the tenant does not vacate voluntarily after the court order, the landlord must obtain a writ of possession and have the Tazewell County Sheriff carry out the physical removal. The landlord cannot personally remove the tenant or their belongings.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Under Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/9-101), a landlord who changes the locks, removes doors or windows, shuts off utilities, or otherwise attempts to force a tenant out without a court order is committing an illegal self-help eviction. Tenants subjected to such conduct may seek emergency relief in court and may be entitled to damages.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws in Illinois can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. Nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship. If you have a specific legal problem or question about your rights as a renter in Washington, Illinois, please consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization such as Prairie State Legal Services or Illinois Legal Aid Online. Always verify current statutes and local ordinances independently, as laws may have changed since this page was last updated in April 2026.
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