IL
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Tenant Leaning · Rank #36 of 51

Illinois
Landlord Laws
2026 Complete Guide

Everything a landlord needs to know about Illinois law — eviction process, security deposits, entry rights, rent control status, and local court resources.

4
out of 10 · Tenant Leaning
📋
Notice Period
5 days
⏱️
Full Eviction
~60 days
💰
Deposit Max
None (Chicago varies)
🔑
Entry Notice
24 hrs
💳
Late Fee Cap
None
Rent Control
No
Live Market Data · RentCast

Illinois Rental Market

Current rents by bedroom · top metro breakdowns · YoY trend

Mar 29, 2026
1 Bedroom
$1,013
2 Bedrooms
$1,275
3 Bedrooms
$1,550
YoY Trend
+9.5%
Days on Market
54d
Chicago SW
60629
1BR$1,225
2BR$1,550
3BR$1,750
YoY
+10.7%
DOM
81.36d
Listings
155
Springfield
62704
1BR$800
2BR$1,000
3BR$1,350
YoY
+8.3%
DOM
27.18d
Listings
91

Illinois Eviction Process

Complete timeline for removing a non-paying or violating tenant in Illinois

01
Serve Notice
5-day written notice for non-payment of rent. Must be delivered personally or posted on door.
02
File Complaint
If tenant fails to pay or vacate after 5 days, file an eviction complaint at your local court. Filing fee: $240–$350.
03
Court Hearing
Hearing typically scheduled 7–14 days after filing. Bring your lease, all notices, rent ledger, and any communications with the tenant.
04
Judgment & Possession
If you win, the court issues a judgment for possession. Tenant typically has 24–72 hours to vacate. If not, obtain a writ of possession.
ESTIMATED TOTAL TIMELINE
5d
Filing + Hearing (14d)
7d
Writ (34d)
Average total: 60 days from notice to possession. US average is ~50 days.

Security Deposit Rules

Illinois security deposit laws, limits, and return requirements

💰
Maximum Deposit
None (Chicago varies)
Per current statutes
📅
Return Deadline
14–45 days
After tenant vacates
📋
Itemization Required
Yes
Written itemization of deductions
📈
Interest Required
No
Required in some high-reg states

Rights & Responsibilities

What both parties are entitled to under Illinois law

✅ Landlord Rights
No statewide rent control
Can recover attorney fees
⚖️ Tenant Rights
Chicago RLTO protections
Repair & deduct
Retaliatory eviction defense

Required Disclosures

Items you must disclose to tenants in Illinois before or at lease signing

📄 Lead paint
📄 Carbon monoxide
📄 Bed bugs (Chicago)

Rent Control Status

Illinois rent increase and rent control laws

No Rent Control in Illinois
Illinois has no statewide rent control law. You can raise rents by any amount with proper notice (typically 30 days for month-to-month, or at lease end for fixed terms).

Illinois Landlord FAQs

Common questions answered — also powers Google rich results

How long does eviction take in Illinois?+
The average eviction timeline in Illinois is 60 days from notice to possession. The pay-or-quit notice period is 5 days. Filing fee is $240–$350.
What is the security deposit limit in Illinois?+
In Illinois, the security deposit maximum is None (Chicago varies). Landlords must return the deposit with an itemized statement of deductions.
Does Illinois have rent control?+
No. Illinois has no statewide rent control. You can raise rents by any amount with proper notice — typically 30 days for month-to-month tenancies.
How much entry notice is required in Illinois?+
Landlords in Illinois must provide at least 24 hours written notice before entering a rental unit.

Compare Similar States

States with comparable landlord-friendliness scores

Colorado
4
60d eviction · None (return in 30 days)
Connecticut
3
75d eviction · 2 months (1 month if 62+)
Delaware
5
60d eviction · 1 month (after 1yr)
Hawaii
3
60d eviction · 1 month
← All StatesEviction Resources →