Waukegan renters are protected by Illinois statewide landlord-tenant law, including the Security Deposit Return Act and anti-retaliation protections. Rent control is prohibited statewide and Waukegan has no local tenant ordinance.·Actualizado June 2026
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Puntos Clave
Control de renta: None — Illinois state law (50 ILCS 825/5) prohibits local rent control ordinances statewide.
Depósito de garantía: Must be returned within 30 days of move-out with an itemized statement (765 ILCS 710, which applies only to buildings with 5 or more units); wrongful withholding triggers twice the withheld amount plus attorney's fees.
Aviso de desalojo: At least 30 days' written notice required to terminate a month-to-month tenancy.
Desalojo con causa justa: Not required — landlords do not need a stated reason to end a month-to-month tenancy with proper notice.
Recursos locales: Illinois Legal Aid Online (illinoislegalaid.org), Prairie State Legal Services (pslegal.org)
1. Overview: Tenant Rights in Waukegan
Waukegan renters are governed by Illinois statewide landlord-tenant law, including the Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) and the Retaliatory Eviction Act (765 ILCS 720). Waukegan is located in Lake County and has no local tenant protection ordinance equivalent to the Chicago RLTO. Illinois prohibits local rent control under 50 ILCS 825/5.
2. Does Waukegan Have Rent Control?
Illinois state law (50 ILCS 825/5) prohibits local governments from enacting rent control. Landlords in Waukegan may raise rent by any amount at lease renewal or with proper notice on a month-to-month tenancy. There are no rent increase caps under state or Lake County law.
3. Illinois State Tenant Protections That Apply in Waukegan
Illinois law provides these key protections for Waukegan renters:
Security Deposit: Landlords must return deposits within 30 days of move-out with an itemized statement (765 ILCS 710). Wrongful withholding entitles the tenant to twice the withheld amount plus attorney's fees.
Notice to Terminate: At least 30 days' written notice is required to terminate a month-to-month tenancy.
Habitability: Landlords must maintain habitable premises under Illinois common law. Tenants can raise habitability violations as a defense in eviction proceedings.
Anti-Retaliation: Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for reporting code violations or exercising legal rights (765 ILCS 720/1).
Lockout Prohibition: Self-help eviction is illegal. Landlords must obtain a court judgment before removing a tenant.
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.
4. Security Deposit Rules in Waukegan
Under the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), your landlord must return your deposit within 30 days of move-out with a written itemized statement. Wrongful withholding entitles you to twice the withheld amount plus attorney's fees. Document the unit at move-in and move-out and provide your forwarding address in writing.
5. Eviction Process and Your Rights in Waukegan
To evict a tenant in Waukegan, a landlord must serve written notice — 5 days for nonpayment of rent or 10 days for lease violations — then file in Lake County Circuit Court. You have the right to contest the eviction. Self-help eviction is illegal; landlords who lock you out or shut off utilities without a court order may face civil liability.
This article provides general information about tenant rights in Waukegan and is not legal advice. Laws change — verify current rules with a local attorney or tenant organization.
Verifica tu dirección
Averigua si tu vivienda está cubierta por el control de renta o las protecciones para inquilinos.
No. Illinois state law (50 ILCS 825/5) prohibits local rent control ordinances statewide. Waukegan has no rent stabilization program.
How much can my landlord raise my rent in Waukegan?
There is no limit. Illinois has no rent stabilization law, so landlords may raise rent by any amount at lease renewal or with proper notice on a month-to-month tenancy.
How long does my landlord have to return my security deposit in Waukegan?
30 days from move-out with a written itemized statement under 765 ILCS 710. Wrongful withholding can entitle you to twice the withheld amount plus attorney's fees.
What notice does my landlord need before evicting me in Waukegan?
5 days for nonpayment of rent, 10 days for lease violations, or at least 30 days to terminate a month-to-month tenancy.
Can my landlord lock me out or shut off utilities in Waukegan?
No. Self-help eviction is illegal in Illinois. A landlord who locks you out or shuts off utilities without a court order may face civil liability.
What can I do if my landlord refuses to make repairs in Waukegan?
Send a written repair request. You may assert habitability as a defense in eviction proceedings or pursue a civil claim. Contact Illinois Legal Aid Online or Prairie State Legal Services for help.
Recibe avisos cuando cambien las leyes de renta en Waukegan
Te enviaremos un correo si cambian el tope de renta, las reglas de cobertura o las protecciones para inquilinos: sin spam, cancela cuando quieras.