Palos Hills is a residential city of approximately 17,000 residents located in Cook County, southwest of Chicago. A substantial share of Palos Hills residents rent their homes, making an understanding of Illinois tenant protections essential for navigating lease agreements, security deposits, and eviction procedures in this community.
Renters in Palos Hills most commonly seek information about security deposit returns, rent increase notices, habitability complaints, and the eviction process. Because Palos Hills has not adopted any local tenant ordinances beyond state law, all renter protections derive from Illinois statutes — primarily the Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), the Landlord and Tenant Act (765 ILCS 705), and common law habitability standards developed by Illinois courts.
This page provides a plain-language summary of those protections to help Palos Hills renters understand their rights. It is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. If you face an eviction, a dispute over your security deposit, or unsafe housing conditions, consult a qualified attorney or contact a legal aid organization listed at the bottom of this page.
Palos Hills has no rent control, and Illinois state law explicitly prohibits any municipality from enacting it. The Illinois Rent Control Preemption Act (50 ILCS 825/5) bars cities, counties, and other units of local government across Illinois from passing ordinances that regulate the amount of rent a landlord may charge. This preemption applies statewide, including to Cook County suburban communities like Palos Hills, regardless of local housing conditions or rental market pressures.
In practical terms, this means your landlord in Palos Hills can increase your rent by any amount, at any time, as long as they provide the legally required advance written notice before your lease term ends or before a rent change takes effect on a month-to-month tenancy. There is no cap on the percentage or dollar amount of a rent increase, and no requirement that a landlord justify the increase. Your best protection against unexpected rent hikes is a fixed-term lease, which locks in the rent amount for the duration of the lease period.
Although Palos Hills has no local tenant ordinances, several important Illinois statutes protect renters throughout the state.
Security Deposit Rules (765 ILCS 710 & 765 ILCS 711): Illinois landlords who hold a security deposit must return it — along with a written, itemized statement of any deductions — within 30 days after the tenant vacates. If the landlord withholds any portion of the deposit, the itemized statement must be accompanied by paid receipts or repair estimates. Failure to comply can 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, requiring landlords to maintain rental units in a condition fit for human occupancy. This includes functioning heat, plumbing, structural integrity, and freedom from serious pest infestations. If a landlord fails to repair a material defect after written notice, tenants may have remedies including rent withholding or repair-and-deduct, though these remedies carry legal risk and tenants should consult an attorney before exercising them.
Notice to Terminate a Month-to-Month Tenancy: Under Illinois law, either a landlord or a tenant must provide at least 30 days written notice before terminating a month-to-month rental agreement. This notice must be given before the start of the next rental period (735 ILCS 5/9-207).
Anti-Retaliation (765 ILCS 720/1): Illinois law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who report housing code violations to government authorities, complain about habitability issues, or exercise other legal rights. Retaliatory conduct can include unjustified eviction, rent increases timed to punish a tenant for complaining, or reduction of services. A tenant who suffers retaliation may raise it as a defense in eviction proceedings or pursue damages.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (735 ILCS 5/9-207.5): Self-help eviction is illegal in Illinois. A landlord may not change locks, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or remove the tenant's personal property to force a tenant out without a court order. Tenants subjected to a self-help eviction have the right to re-entry and may seek damages.
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.
Illinois does not impose a statewide cap on the amount a landlord may collect as a security deposit, so Palos Hills landlords may request any amount they deem appropriate (often one or two months' rent), and this amount should be specified in your written lease.
Return Deadline: Under the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710/1), a landlord must return the security deposit — minus any lawfully itemized deductions — 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 an itemized written statement of deductions along with copies of paid receipts or written estimates for the repair costs within that same 30-day window.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of a security deposit or fails to provide the required itemized statement within 30 days, the tenant may be entitled to recover the withheld amount plus damages as set by Illinois courts interpreting 765 ILCS 710. Tenants should document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with photographs and written records to support any deposit dispute.
Interest on Deposits: The Illinois Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 711/1) requires landlords who hold a security deposit for more than six months on a residential property with 25 or more units to pay interest on the deposit at a rate set annually by the state. Landlords of smaller buildings are not required to pay interest under state law.
In Palos Hills, a landlord must follow a specific legal process to evict a tenant. Self-help evictions — such as changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities — are illegal under Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/9-207.5) and can expose the landlord to liability.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing for eviction, the landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice. The type of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing an Eviction Lawsuit: If the tenant does not comply with the notice within the required period, the landlord may file an eviction complaint (formerly called a forcible entry and detainer action) in the Cook County Circuit Court. The tenant will receive a summons and a hearing date. Tenants have the right to appear and present defenses, which may include improper notice, retaliation, or habitability failures.
Step 3 — Court Hearing and Judgment: At the hearing, a judge will consider both sides. If the judge rules in the landlord's favor, a judgment for possession is entered. The landlord may then request that the court issue an order of possession.
Step 4 — Enforcement: Only a Cook County Sheriff's deputy may physically enforce the order of possession and remove a tenant. The landlord has no authority to remove a tenant without the sheriff carrying out a court-issued order.
No Just Cause Requirement: Palos Hills has not enacted a just cause eviction ordinance, so landlords are not required to provide a reason for non-renewing a lease at the end of a fixed term, as long as proper notice is given.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. Palos Hills renters facing eviction, security deposit disputes, habitability issues, or other housing legal matters should consult a licensed Illinois attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization. RentCheckMe makes no representation that the information on this page is current, complete, or applicable to your circumstances. Always verify current law with a qualified professional before taking action.
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