Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Worth is a residential village in Cook County, Illinois, situated in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. Like many smaller Cook County communities, Worth is primarily a renter and homeowner mix, and tenants here rely on Illinois state law for their core housing protections. Renters in Worth most commonly seek information about security deposit disputes, what notice their landlord must provide before terminating a lease, and what to do when a landlord fails to make repairs.
Illinois provides a meaningful set of baseline protections for all renters statewide, including the Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), anti-retaliation provisions (765 ILCS 720/1), and common-law habitability standards. Worth does not fall within the boundaries of Chicago, so the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) does not apply here. Tenants in Worth are governed exclusively by state law.
This article is intended as general legal information only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change and individual circumstances vary — if you have a specific dispute with your landlord, consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a free legal aid organization.
Worth has no rent control, and Illinois state law prohibits any municipality from enacting it. Under 765 ILCS 720, the Rent Control Preemption Act, local governments across Illinois — including villages, cities, and counties — are expressly forbidden from passing any ordinance that would control the amount of rent charged for private residential property. This statewide preemption has been in effect since 1997.
In practice, this means your landlord in Worth may raise your rent by any amount at lease renewal, with no legal cap on the increase. The only protection you have is the notice requirement: for a month-to-month tenancy, your landlord must give you at least 30 days written notice before a rent increase takes effect. If you are on a fixed-term lease, your rent cannot be raised until the lease expires, unless the lease itself provides otherwise.
Advocacy efforts to repeal the Rent Control Preemption Act have occurred at the state legislature in recent years, but as of April 2026 the preemption remains fully in force statewide, including in Worth.
Illinois provides several important tenant protections that apply to all renters in Worth:
Security Deposit Rules (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 written statement of any deductions — within 30 days of the tenant vacating the unit. Landlords of fewer than 5 units have the same 30-day deadline under general Illinois law. Wrongful withholding of a deposit may entitle the tenant to recover damages under 765 ILCS 710/1.
Habitability (Illinois Common Law & 765 ILCS 735/1): Illinois courts recognize an implied warranty of habitability in residential leases. Landlords are required to maintain rental units in a condition fit for human habitation, including functioning heat, plumbing, and freedom from serious structural defects. If a landlord fails to maintain habitable conditions after receiving written notice, tenants may have remedies including repair-and-deduct (for minor repairs under 765 ILCS 735/1), rent withholding, or lease termination depending on the severity of the issue.
Notice to Terminate (735 ILCS 5/9-207): For month-to-month tenancies, Illinois law requires at least 30 days written notice from either the landlord or tenant to terminate the tenancy. For week-to-week tenancies, 7 days notice is required. Landlords must serve this notice properly to begin the eviction process.
Anti-Retaliation (765 ILCS 720/1): Illinois law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who report housing code violations, request repairs, or exercise any legal rights. Retaliatory acts may include rent increases, eviction threats, or reduction in services. A tenant who experiences retaliation has a legal defense in eviction proceedings and may be entitled to damages.
Prohibition on Lockouts and Utility Shutoffs (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.): Self-help eviction — including changing locks, removing doors, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out — is illegal in Illinois without a court order. A landlord who engages in a self-help eviction may be liable to the tenant for damages.
Illinois security deposit law protects renters in Worth under two key statutes: the Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) and the Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01 et seq.).
No Statutory Cap: Illinois state law does not impose a maximum limit on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit. Landlords in Worth may charge any amount they choose, though the amount must be disclosed in the lease.
Return Deadline — 30 Days: Under 765 ILCS 710/1, a landlord who owns 5 or more residential units must return the security deposit within 30 days after the tenant vacates. If the landlord intends to make deductions, they must provide a written itemized statement of damages, along with receipts or repair estimates, within that same 30-day period. Landlords of fewer than 5 units are subject to the same practical deadline under Illinois common law principles.
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 the full amount of the security deposit, regardless of any claimed damages, under 765 ILCS 710/1. Tenants should document move-out conditions thoroughly with photos and written communication to support any claim.
Interest on Deposits: The Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 710/0.01) requires landlords who hold a deposit for more than 6 months to pay interest on the deposit at a rate set by the Illinois Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate. This requirement applies to landlords of 25 or more units.
Evicting a tenant in Worth, Illinois requires the landlord to follow a specific legal process under the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/9-101 et seq.). A landlord cannot remove a tenant without a court order.
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 — 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) in Cook County Circuit Court. The tenant will be served with a summons and given a court date.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge. Tenants have the right to present defenses, including improper notice, retaliation, or uninhabitable conditions. If the landlord prevails, the court issues an order of possession.
Step 4 — Enforcement by Sheriff: Only a Cook County Sheriff's deputy may physically remove a tenant pursuant to a valid court order. A landlord who attempts to remove a tenant without a court order — by changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities — is committing an illegal self-help eviction under 735 ILCS 5/9-101 and may be liable for damages.
Just Cause: Illinois does not require landlords to have just cause to decline to renew a lease or to terminate a month-to-month tenancy, as long as proper notice is given. However, evictions motivated by retaliation are prohibited under 765 ILCS 720/1 and may be raised as a defense in court.
The information provided in this article is 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 your situation. Renters in Worth, Illinois who have questions about a particular landlord-tenant dispute should consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a free legal aid organization such as Illinois Legal Aid Online or Prairie State Legal Services. RentCheckMe makes no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, or currentness of the information presented here.
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.