What are tenant rights in Illinois?

Illinois tenant rights vary significantly between Chicago, Cook County, and the rest of the state.

1. Security Deposit (Statewide) — No statutory cap. The Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) applies to landlords with 5+ units and requires return within 30-45 days with itemized deductions.

2. Security Deposit Interest — 765 ILCS 715 requires landlords with 25+ units to pay interest on deposits held more than 6 months.

3. Chicago RLTO — The Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (Chicago Mun. Code Ch. 5-12) caps deposits, requires receipts and interest, mandates a 30-day move-out notice (2 days for nonpayment cure), and provides remedies for habitability violations including repair-and-deduct (up to $500), rent withholding, and lease termination.

4. Cook County RTLO — Effective 2021, the Residential Tenant and Landlord Ordinance applies to most rentals in suburban Cook County, mirroring many Chicago RLTO protections.

5. Eviction — 735 ILCS 5/9-209 requires a 5-day notice for nonpayment, 10-day notice for lease violations, or 30-day notice to terminate month-to-month.

6. Rent Control — Prohibited statewide by the Rent Control Preemption Act (50 ILCS 825).

7. Habitability — Implied warranty exists at common law (Jack Spring v. Little, 50 Ill. 2d 351). Local codes apply.

8. Discrimination — Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5) prohibits discrimination on race, color, religion, sex, marital status, age, ancestry, military status, sexual orientation, source of income, and disability.

9. Retaliation — Retaliatory Eviction Act (765 ILCS 720) prohibits retaliation for tenant complaints to government.

This is legal information, not legal advice.