Tenant Rulebook
General information from state law and official guides, not legal advice. Cities and counties can add their own rules.

All states

Landlord and tenant rules in Illinois

The statewide rules on deposits, notice, entry and rent in Illinois, mainly from the Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710), Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 715) and Code of Civil Procedure article IX (735 ILCS 5/9). Checked 29 October 2026.

Security deposits and fees

Security deposit limit

No statewide cap1,2

The Illinois Attorney General says state law does not limit how much a landlord can charge as a security deposit.

Deposit return deadline

30 days for itemized statement, 45 days to return2765 ILCS 710/1

If the landlord deducts for damage, an itemized statement must be given within 30 days after the tenant moves out. Otherwise the full deposit must be returned within 45 days.

Interest on deposits

Required for buildings with 25 or more units3,1765 ILCS 715/1

Landlords with 25 or more units in a building or complex must pay interest on deposits held more than six months, at a rate tied to the largest state bank's savings rate. Interest is paid or credited every 12 months.

Late fees

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Notice, entry and rent

Tenant ending a month-to-month tenancy

30 days1

The Attorney General says 30 days' written notice is normally enough to end a month-to-month tenancy, unless the lease requires more.

Landlord ending a month-to-month tenancy

30 days4,1735 ILCS 5/9-207

A landlord can end a month-to-month tenancy with 30 days' written notice. Week-to-week tenancies need 7 days.

Notice of a rent increase

30 days (7 days week to week)1

The Attorney General says month-to-month tenants must get 30 days' notice of a rent increase, and week-to-week tenants 7 days. Rent cannot be raised during a fixed-term lease.

Statewide rent limits

None statewide, local governments barred by law5,150 ILCS 825/5

Illinois law bars local governments from passing rules that would control the amount of rent charged.

Landlord entry

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Notice for unpaid rent

5 days6,1735 ILCS 5/9-209

Before filing for unpaid rent, the landlord must give a written demand allowing at least 5 days after service to pay.

Many cities and counties add their own rules, such as rent stabilization or longer notice periods, and a lease can give a tenant more protection than the law requires. Check your local housing office or a legal aid group before you act.

Sources

  1. Landlord and Tenant Rights and Laws, Illinois Attorney General, 2024-01official
  2. Security Deposit Return Act, 765 ILCS 710, Illinois General Assemblyofficial
  3. 765 ILCS 715/1, FindLaw (quotes state code), 2025-01-01secondary
  4. 735 ILCS 5/9-207, FindLaw (quotes state code), 2025-01-01secondary
  5. 50 ILCS 825/5, FindLaw (quotes state code), 2025-01-01secondary
  6. 735 ILCS 5/9-209, FindLaw (quotes state code), 2025-01-01secondary

"Secondary" sources reproduce the official text. We use them only where the official site could not be read.