Lake in the Hills is a village in McHenry County, adjacent to Crystal Lake in Chicago's northwest suburbs. Illinois state law prohibits local rent control under 50 ILCS 825/5, so the village cannot cap rents. Chicago's Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance does not extend to Lake in the Hills — state law exclusively governs landlord-tenant relations here. The Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) and Illinois common law habitability standards protect renters in the village.
Lake in the Hills has no rent control. Illinois law (50 ILCS 825/5) preempts local rent stabilization throughout the state. The village cannot enact any ordinance limiting rent increases, and McHenry County has not done so either. Landlords in Lake in the Hills may raise rents at lease renewal without restriction. If you are on a month-to-month tenancy, you are entitled to at least 30 days' written notice before any rent increase or tenancy termination.
Illinois common law requires landlords to maintain rental units in a habitable condition — functioning heat, plumbing, sound structure, and pest-free environment. Put all repair requests in writing and keep copies. For serious habitability failures, contact McHenry County code enforcement. Self-help eviction is prohibited: your landlord cannot change your locks or remove your belongings without a court order. Retaliation against tenants who report code violations is also prohibited under Illinois law (765 ILCS 720/1). These protections apply to all rentals in Lake in the Hills regardless of building size.
2025-2026 Illinois law updates: Effective January 1, 2026, the Safer Homes Act (Public Act 103-1031) requires landlords to attach the Illinois Department of Human Rights' Summary of Rights to every residential lease; House Bill 3566 (Public Act 104-0317) prohibits landlords from naming minors as defendants in an eviction action, and a violation requires dismissal of the case and allows a $1,000 penalty plus actual damages and attorney's fees; and Senate Bill 1563 allows owners to have police remove certain unauthorized occupants or squatters under the criminal trespass statute without filing a full eviction case. Separately, the Landlord Retaliation Act took effect January 1, 2025, creating a one-year presumption that adverse landlord action taken after a tenant's protected activity is retaliatory.
Under the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), your landlord must return your security deposit within 30 days of the end of your tenancy, along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. For buildings with 25 or more units, the landlord must also pay annual interest on deposits held more than six months. Wrongful withholding may entitle you to twice the amount improperly kept plus attorney's fees. Document your unit's condition with photos at move-in and move-out and provide a forwarding address in writing to start the 30-day clock.
A landlord in Lake in the Hills must follow Illinois court procedures to remove a tenant. Month-to-month tenants are entitled to 30 days' written notice to terminate. For nonpayment of rent, landlords serve a 5-day notice to pay or vacate. For lease violations, a 10-day notice to cure applies. After proper notice, the landlord must file in McHenry County Circuit Court and obtain a judgment before any removal occurs. Self-help eviction — changing locks, removing belongings, or cutting utilities — is illegal. You have the right to respond and appear at your hearing.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change — verify current statutes and consult a licensed Illinois attorney for advice specific to your situation.
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