Illinois Rental Lease Laws: What Your Lease Can and Can't Say
Everything below is generated from our Illinois law database — the same statute-backed rules our analyzer uses to check leases. Prohibited clauses and required disclosures include their statute citations.
Educational information: this page summarizes Illinois landlord-tenant law for renters. It is not legal advice. Laws change — consult a licensed attorney for your situation.
Illinois lease rules at a glance
| Security deposit limit | no statewide limit (local caps in some cities) |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | 30 days (45 in Chicago) |
| Interest on deposits | required (buildings with 25+ units) |
| Landlord entry notice | 24 hours customary (no statutory minimum) |
| Late fee cap | no statutory percentage cap |
| Rent grace period | 5 days (Chicago only) |
| Prohibited lease clauses | 7 clause types restricted |
| Required disclosures | 6 disclosures required |
Illinois lease law guides
- Illinois Security Deposit Limitno statewide limit (local caps in some cities)
- Illinois Deposit Return Deadline30 days (45 in Chicago)
- Illinois Deposit Interest Rulesinterest required (buildings with 25+ units)
- Illinois Landlord Entry Notice24 hours customary (no statutory minimum)
- Illinois Late Fee Lawsno statutory percentage cap
- Illinois Rent Grace Period5 days (Chicago only)
- Illinois Prohibited Lease Clauses7 restricted clause types
- Illinois Required Disclosures6 required disclosures
Lease clauses restricted under Illinois law
- Waiver of implied warranty of habitabilityLikely Illegal
- Confession of judgment clauseLikely Illegal
- Waiver of right to jury trialOften Unenforceable
All 7 prohibited clause types in Illinois, with statute citations →
Disclosures Illinois landlords must provide
- Lead Paint
- Radon Gas
- Utilities
All 6 required disclosures in Illinois, explained with citations →
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Illinois lease law FAQ
- How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Illinois?
- Illinois sets no statewide statutory maximum on security deposits, though local rules can apply — Chicago's RLTO caps deposits at 1.5 months' rent. Conditions can apply — see the Illinois security deposit limit guide for details.
- How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Illinois?
- Generally 30 days (45 in Chicago) after move-out. Conditions can apply — see the Illinois deposit return deadline guide for details.
- Do landlords have to pay interest on security deposits in Illinois?
- Yes — Illinois law requires interest on held security deposits for buildings with 25+ units. Conditions can apply — see the Illinois deposit interest rules guide for details.
- How much notice does a landlord need to enter my apartment in Illinois?
- There is no specific statutory minimum in Illinois — 24 hours is considered good practice rather than a legal requirement. Conditions can apply — see the Illinois landlord entry notice guide for details.
- Is there a limit on late fees in Illinois?
- Illinois sets no fixed percentage cap, but late fees must be reasonable and can be challenged if punitive. Conditions can apply — see the Illinois late fee laws guide for details.
- How many days late can rent be before fees in Illinois?
- Illinois's 5-day grace period applies only under Chicago's Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance — Illinois has no statewide statutory grace period; for other tenancies the lease controls. Conditions can apply — see the Illinois rent grace period guide for details.
- What lease clauses are illegal in Illinois?
- Illinois law restricts 7 clause types tracked in our database, such as: waiver of implied warranty of habitability; confession of judgment clause; waiver of right to jury trial.
- What disclosures must a landlord provide in Illinois?
- Illinois requires: Lead Paint (Disclosure of known lead-based paint hazards for housing built before 1978); Radon Gas (Disclosure of radon hazards and recommendation for testing); Utilities (Disclosure if tenant is responsible for utility costs for common areas); Carbon Monoxide (Carbon monoxide detector requirements must be disclosed); Rent Concessions (Chicago RLTO: Must disclose any rent concessions affecting renewal rate); Foreclosure (Chicago RLTO: Must disclose if property is in foreclosure).
More renter resources
Sources: state statutes cited above. Data last updated 2024-01-01. Educational information only — not legal advice.