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Woodridge is a suburban village in DuPage County, Illinois, with a population of roughly 34,000 residents. A significant share of Woodridge households rent, and many tenants seek guidance on deposit returns, habitability disputes, and what steps a landlord must take before pursuing eviction.
Unlike Chicago or Evanston, Woodridge has not enacted any local tenant protections beyond what Illinois state law requires. That means renters here rely entirely on statewide statutes, including the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), the Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01), and the Landlord and Tenant Act (765 ILCS 720). Understanding these laws is the most important step any Woodridge renter can take to protect their housing.
This page provides a plain-language overview of the tenant rights that apply in Woodridge as of April 2026. It is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual situations vary — consult a qualified attorney or free legal aid service for advice specific to your circumstances.
Woodridge has no rent control ordinance, and Illinois state law explicitly prohibits local governments from enacting one. Under 765 ILCS 720/1, municipalities and counties throughout Illinois are preempted from passing any ordinance that controls or limits the amount of rent a landlord may charge for residential property. This statewide preemption has been in effect since 1997 and applies to every city, village, and township in Illinois — including Woodridge.
In practical terms, this means a landlord in Woodridge can raise your rent by any amount at the end of a lease term or, for month-to-month tenants, after providing at least 30 days written notice. There is no cap on rent increases and no requirement that the landlord justify the amount of an increase. If you receive a rent increase notice, your options are to accept the new rent, negotiate with your landlord, or provide your own 30-day written notice to vacate before the increase takes effect.
Implied Warranty of Habitability. Illinois courts recognize an implied warranty of habitability in all residential leases. Landlords must maintain rental units in a condition that is safe, sanitary, and fit for human habitation. This includes keeping heating systems, plumbing, and structural elements in working order. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after reasonable notice, a tenant may have remedies including rent withholding or repair-and-deduct, though these remedies carry legal risk and tenants should consult legal aid before exercising them.
Security Deposit Return. The Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) requires landlords who own 5 or more residential units to return a tenant's security deposit — or provide an itemized written statement of deductions — within 30 days after the tenant vacates (or 45 days if the landlord claims deductions for damage). Failure to comply entitles the tenant to sue for the full deposit plus damages. The Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01) requires landlords with 25 or more units to pay interest on deposits held longer than 6 months.
30-Day Notice for Month-to-Month Tenancies. Under Illinois common law and 735 ILCS 5/9-207, either a landlord or tenant may terminate a month-to-month rental agreement by giving at least 30 days written notice before the next rent due date. For weekly tenancies, 7 days notice is required. A landlord who fails to give proper notice cannot pursue an eviction for holdover.
Anti-Retaliation Protections. Under 765 ILCS 720/1, a landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for complaining to a government authority about housing code violations, organizing with other tenants, or exercising any legal right under the lease or state law. Retaliatory actions can include rent increases, eviction notices, or reduction of services. A tenant who proves retaliation may be entitled to actual damages and attorney fees.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction. Illinois law prohibits landlords from removing a tenant through self-help measures. Changing locks, removing doors or windows, shutting off utilities, or removing the tenant's belongings without a court order is illegal. The proper remedy for a landlord is to file an eviction action in court under 735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.
Illinois does not impose a statewide cap on the amount of security deposit a landlord may charge. In Woodridge, a landlord may therefore request any amount — commonly one to two months' rent — as a condition of the 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 within 30 days after the tenant vacates if no deductions are claimed. If the landlord intends to make deductions for damage beyond normal wear and tear, the landlord must provide an itemized written statement of damages and estimated repair costs within 30 days, and return any remaining balance within 45 days of the tenant vacating.
Penalty for Non-Compliance. A landlord covered by the Act who wrongfully withholds all or part of the security deposit — or who fails to provide the required itemized statement on time — forfeits the right to retain any portion of the deposit. The tenant may sue to recover the full deposit amount plus court costs. In cases of bad-faith withholding, additional damages may be available.
Interest on Deposits. Landlords who own 25 or more residential units and hold a security deposit for more than 6 months must pay interest on that deposit at the rate prescribed annually by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, pursuant to the Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01).
Documentation Tip. Tenants should document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with dated photographs and a written checklist, and should provide a forwarding address in writing so the landlord has no basis to claim the deposit could not be returned.
In Woodridge, a landlord must follow the Illinois statutory eviction process and cannot remove a tenant through any self-help measure. The process is governed by the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.).
Step 1 — Written Notice. Before filing in court, the landlord must serve a written notice on the tenant. The required notice period depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing the Eviction Complaint. If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an Eviction (Forcible Entry and Detainer) complaint in the DuPage County Circuit Court. The tenant will be served with a summons and a hearing date.
Step 3 — Court Hearing. Both parties appear before a judge. The tenant has the right to present defenses such as improper notice, payment of rent, or retaliatory eviction. If the judge rules for the landlord, a judgment for possession is entered.
Step 4 — Order of Possession and Enforcement. After a judgment, the court issues an Order of Possession. Only a DuPage County sheriff or deputy may enforce the order and physically remove a tenant. The landlord cannot personally remove the tenant or their belongings.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal. Changing locks, removing doors or windows, shutting off heat, electricity, or water, or removing the tenant's belongings without a court order is a prohibited self-help eviction under Illinois law (765 ILCS 735/1). A tenant who is locked out or has utilities shut off unlawfully 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 are subject to change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by reading this page. If you have a housing dispute, are facing eviction, or need guidance on your specific circumstances, please consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a free legal aid organization such as Prairie State Legal Services or Illinois Legal Aid Online. Always verify current statutes and local ordinances independently before taking action.
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