Illinois Tenant Law: Security Deposits, Late Fees & Landlord Entry (2026)

What Illinois law says about the clauses that matter most in a residential lease. Data as of 2026-10-18.

Main statute: Illinois Security Deposit Return Act and related landlord-tenant statutes (765 ILCS 705-742) (765 ILCS 710)

Security deposits

Max: No statewide cap.
Return deadline days: 45 days
Itemization required: Yes
Interest required: Landlords with 25+ units in one building or contiguous complex must pay interest on deposits held more than 6 months (765 ILCS 715). Chicago (RLTO) requires interest on all deposits.

Source: 765 ILCS 710/1; 765 ILCS 715

Calculate your Illinois deposit return deadline

Late fees

We haven't verified a statewide rule for this yet. Check your lease, your city's rules, or a local tenant organization.

Check if your Illinois late fee is legal

Landlord entry

Notice: No statewide statute; Chicago RLTO requires 2 days' notice.

Ending a month-to-month tenancy

Tenant: 30 days
Landlord: 30 days

Source: 735 ILCS 5/9-207

Rent increases

Rule: No statewide notice statute beyond ending a periodic tenancy.
Statewide rent control: No; local rent control is preempted (50 ILCS 825).

Source: 50 ILCS 825

Repairs & habitability

Rule: Implied warranty of habitability (Jack Spring v. Little, 1972). Repair-and-deduct for minor repairs up to $500 or half a month's rent, after 14 days' written notice.

Source: 765 ILCS 742

Retaliation

Rule: Retaliation against tenants who complain to authorities or exercise legal rights is prohibited.

Source: 765 ILCS 720

Clauses often unenforceable in Illinois

Clause exempting the landlord from liability for its own negligence (765 ILCS 705/1)
Confession-of-judgment clause

Notes

Deposit deadline: 30 days if the landlord sends an itemized statement of deductions, otherwise 45 days; since Jan 1, 2024 the Act covers all residential landlords (the old 5-unit threshold was removed). Statewide late-fee rule not verified (left blank). Chicago RLTO adds major protections (late fee cap $10 + 5% over $500, deposit rules, 2-day entry notice).

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General information only, not legal advice. Laws change — verify with the linked source or a licensed attorney.