Landlord-tenant law

Illinois Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, eviction notice periods, lease termination requirements, and late fee rules for Illinois.

Not legal advice. Current as of May 2026. Verify with a local attorney before any compliance decision.

$
Security Deposit Max
No statutory limit
765 ILCS 710 (Landlord and Tenant Act); 765 ILCS 720 (Security Deposit Return Act)
↩
Deposit Return Deadline
30 days (if no deductions); 45 days (if claiming deductions, with itemized list within 30 days)
765 ILCS 710/1; 765 ILCS 720/1
!
Non-Payment Eviction Notice
5-day notice to pay or quit
735 ILCS 5/9-209
✕
Month-to-Month Termination
30 days
735 ILCS 5/9-207
¢
Late Fee Cap
No statutory cap (must be reasonable and stated in lease). Chicago: $10/month on first $500 of rent + 5% on any remainder.
Chicago Mun. Code § 5-12-140(e) (city only)
⏱
Grace Period
No statutory grace period statewide. Chicago: 5 days.
Chicago Mun. Code § 5-12-130(b) (city only)
Illinois specific notes

Illinois has no comprehensive statewide landlord-tenant act. State statutes are piecemeal. Chicago has a detailed Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) that is substantially more protective of tenants than state law — including deposit escrow requirements for buildings with 7+ units, mandatory lease riders, interest on deposits, a $10 + 5% late fee cap, and a 5-day grace period. Chicago rules apply to Chicago addresses only. Evanston and other suburbs have their own local ordinances.

FAQ

Common Illinois landlord questions

What is the maximum security deposit in Illinois?+
No statutory limit. Governed by 765 ILCS 710 (Landlord and Tenant Act); 765 ILCS 720 (Security Deposit Return Act). Deposit must be returned within 30 days (if no deductions); 45 days (if claiming deductions, with itemized list within 30 days) after the lease ends.
What notice is required to evict a tenant in Illinois for non-payment of rent?+
5-day notice to pay or quit. Per 735 ILCS 5/9-209. This is the notice period before a landlord can file an eviction lawsuit.
How much notice to end a month-to-month tenancy in Illinois?+
30 days. Per 735 ILCS 5/9-207. This applies to no-cause terminations of month-to-month leases.
Are late fees regulated in Illinois?+
No statutory cap (must be reasonable and stated in lease). Chicago: $10/month on first $500 of rent + 5% on any remainder.. Per Chicago Mun. Code § 5-12-140(e) (city only). Grace period: No statutory grace period statewide. Chicago: 5 days.. Even where no statutory cap exists, late fees must be reasonable and clearly disclosed in the lease.
References

Authoritative sources for Illinois

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Deposit Limits — All 50
Side-by-side max deposit and return deadlines.
Eviction Notice — All 50
Notice periods for non-payment and termination.
Late Fee Laws — All 50
Caps and grace periods.
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