Illinois Rent Control Guide

Last updated: April 2026

Illinois law bans rent control statewide. No city — including Chicago — can limit rent increases. But Chicago tenants have significant protections under the RLTO.

Check your address to see what Illinois tenant protections apply.

Illinois Rent Control at a Glance

Local rent control: Illegal — the Rent Control Preemption Act (50 ILCS 825/) bars all cities
Statewide rent cap: None
Chicago RLTO: Strong tenant protections — security deposits, habitability, anti-retaliation — but no rent cap
Cook County: Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance (unincorporated areas, 2021)
State law changes: Illinois legislature has considered but not passed preemption repeal bills

📖 Read the full Illinois rent control guide →

Illinois Cities

Rent control is prohibited everywhere in Illinois. Below are detailed city guides explaining what protections do apply:

Chicago — No rent control; RLTO provides strong tenant protections
Evanston — No rent control (has tried to pass ordinances but blocked by state law)
Oak Park — No rent control
Rockford — No rent control
Aurora — No rent control

Statewide Resources

Illinois Legal Aid Online – Free legal information and attorney connections for tenants
Metropolitan Tenants Organization (Chicago) – Tenant rights organizing and hotline
Chicago Renter's Rights (SROS) – Resources for Chicago renters
Coordinated Advice & Referral Program for Legal Services – Cook County legal aid referrals

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