Illinois Expands Tenant Protections Statewide
Landlords, take note—Illinois just passed a major law that changes how retaliatory conduct is handled across the state. Starting January 1, 2025, the same tenant protections that have been in place under the Chicago Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance (CRLTO) and Cook County RLTO will now apply statewide. If you've ever thought about non-renewing a lease because a tenant keeps requesting repairs, it’s time to rethink that strategy.
What’s Retaliatory Conduct?
At its core, retaliation means punishing a tenant for exercising their legal rights. And Illinois is cracking down on landlords who try to skirt the law with shady tactics. Here’s what not to do:
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Lease Non-Renewal as Payback: A tenant reports a leaky roof, and suddenly their lease isn’t getting renewed? That’s a no-go.
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Hiking Rent Out of Spite: If a tenant complains to the city about a code violation and their rent jumps $200 the next month, expect trouble.
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Cutting Services: No more "Oh, the heat's broken? Oops, guess you should’ve kept quiet about that mold."
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Threats or Harassment: Anything that makes a tenant feel like they’ll suffer for standing up for their rights can get you in hot water.
If a tenant takes any protected action within the past year, courts will presume landlord retaliation unless there’s clear proof of a legitimate reason for the decision.
For a deeper dive into retaliatory conduct, check out Domu’s Full Guide
What’s Changing in 2025?
Before, retaliatory conduct laws applied only in Chicago and Cook County (thanks to the CRLTO and Cook County RLTO). But this new statewide law extends those protections to every corner of Illinois. Whether you own a rental in Springfield, Peoria, or a quiet town no one’s ever heard of—these rules now apply to you.
Read the official breakdown of the new law here: Illinois Public Act 103-0831
How to Stay on the Right Side of the Law
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Document Everything – Keep records of repair requests, lease renewals, and rent changes. If a tenant takes you to court, you’ll want proof that your decisions weren’t retaliatory.
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Communicate Like a Pro – Set clear policies for handling maintenance issues. Tenants should feel comfortable reporting problems without fear of consequences.
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Know the Law – Landlord-tenant rules are evolving. Staying informed helps you avoid fines, lawsuits, and bad Yelp reviews (because you know tenants love to leave those).
Being a landlord isn’t just about collecting rent—it’s about keeping good tenants and running a business the right way. If you play by the rules, you’ll build a reputation as a fair, professional property owner. And trust us, that’s worth a whole lot more in the long run.
Disclaimer: The general information that Domu provides about Chicago landlord-tenant law is not intended as legal advice. Domu endeavors to provide accurate information, but the law is subject to change, and Domu is not a law firm or provider of legal services and makes no warranty regarding this information’s accuracy, completeness, reliability or usefulness. This information is for informational purposes only. Questions about your particular leasing situation should be directed to a lawyer.
