Illinois Landlord Guide — Get Your Action Plan in 60 Seconds
Tenant behind on rent? Damage beyond wear and tear? Holding over after the lease ended? Describe the situation in your own words and get a plain-English breakdown, severity rating, step-by-step next steps, and ready-to-send notices — specific to Illinois law.
Security deposit: you must return it within 30 days of move-out, with an itemized statement for deductions.
Tenant entry: Landlords must generally give 24-hour notice before entering, except in emergencies.
Eviction: you must go through the courts. Self-help eviction is illegal.
Illinois requires deposits be returned within 30-45 days depending on building size. Eviction requires court process (forcible entry and detainer action). Chicago has additional tenant protections under the RLTO.