Illinois Rent Increase Laws: Rules, Limits, and Notices
Understand Illinois rent increase laws, notice requirements for month-to-month and fixed-term leases, and the state-wide ban on local rent control.
Legal Disclaimer
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Laws change frequently — always verify current regulations and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice specific to your situation. Landager is a property management platform, not a law firm.Information last verified: May 2026.
Operating under the legal framework established since Illinois gained statehood on December 3, 1818, and the subsequent Rent Control Preemption Act (50 ILCS 825/), property owners have immense leeway when adjusting rent prices. Understanding the notice periods is the key to legally executing rent increases.
Official Law Citation: The rules and regulations outlined on this page are governed by the Illinois Compiled Statutes, the Cook County Residential Tenant and Landlord Ordinance (CCRTLO), and local Fair Notice Ordinances.
No State or Local Rent Control
Under the Rent Control Preemption Act (50 ILCS 825/), the state of Illinois explicitly bans local municipalities from enacting rent control measures.
This means that whether a property is located in rural Illinois, downtown Chicago, or suburban Cook County, there is no statutory limit on how much a landlord can increase the rent.
Required Notice Periods
While there is no maximum rent cap, a landlord cannot simply hike the rent at a moment's notice. The rules dictate when a landlord can increase rent based on the lease structure and the property's location.
Fixed-Term and Year-to-Year Leases
For a tenant on a standard fixed-term lease (e.g., a one-year lease), the rent cannot be increased during the term. Rent increases can only occur at the time of lease renewal.
For a Year-to-Year Tenancy, Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/9-205) statutorily requires at least 60 days' written notice to terminate the existing tenancy or alter the terms (including rent increases) at the end of the year.
Month-to-Month Tenancy
For a month-to-month tenant, a landlord must provide at least 30 days' written notice before raising the rent under 735 ILCS 5/9-207(b).
- The notice must generally terminate the tenancy at the end of a rental period. For instance, notice given on May 15th for an increase would not take effect until July 1st.
Week-to-Week Tenancy
If renting on a week-to-week basis, the landlord must provide 7 days' written notice pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/9-207(a).
City of Chicago (Fair Notice Ordinance)
If the property is located within the city limits of Chicago, the Fair Notice Ordinance (MCC 5-12-130(j)) significantly extends the timeline requirements for raising the rent.
If a Chicago landlord intends to raise the rent, the notice period scales with the tenant's history at the property:
- Tenancy of less than 6 months: 30 days notice
- Tenancy of 6 months to 3 years: 60 days notice
- Tenancy of more than 3 years: 120 days notice
Suburban Cook County (CCRTLO)
Under the Cook County Residential Tenant and Landlord Ordinance (§ 42-810), which applies to most suburban units (excluding Chicago and certain exempt municipalities like Evanston or Oak Park), landlords must provide extended notice for rent increases:
- Tenancy of less than 3 years: 60 days notice
- Tenancy of more than 3 years: 120 days notice
Retaliation and Discrimination
Even without rent control, it is fundamentally illegal to raise rent based on discriminatory reasons under the Fair Housing Act.
Additionally, effective January 1, 2025, the Landlord Retaliation Act (765 ILCS 721/) prohibits landlords from increasing rent in retaliation for a tenant's good-faith actions, such as:
- Reporting code violations to government agencies.
- Requesting necessary repairs.
- Joining or organizing a tenant union.
Under 765 ILCS 721/5, violations may entitle the tenant to damages equal to the greater of two months' rent or twice the actual damages, plus attorney's fees.
Best Practices
- Communicate early: Sending a rent increase notice well beyond the minimum requirements preserves a positive landlord-tenant relationship.
- Explain the rationale: While not required, briefly explaining that a rent increase is tied to rising operational costs, property taxes, or insurance can reduce friction.
How Landager Helps
Landager tracks lease terms, required compliance items, and accounting records - making it easy to stay compliant with Illinois regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
▶Does Illinois have rent control or caps on rent increases?
No. Illinois passed the Rent Control Preemption Act, which prohibits any city or municipality from enacting rent control measures. There are no state limits on how much a landlord can increase rent. During a fixed-term lease, rent cannot be increased unless the lease explicitly allows it. For month-to-month tenancies, landlords must provide at least 30 days' written notice before any increase takes effect.
▶What are the Illinois landlord-tenant laws every property owner should know?
Illinois landlord-tenant law is a mix of state statutes (765 ILCS) and powerful local ordinances. The state provides a baseline framework covering security deposits, eviction procedures, and habitability, but cities like Chicago (CRLTO), Evanston, and suburban Cook County (RTLO) impose significantly stricter requirements around deposit returns, late fees, and tenant remedies. Non-compliance with local ordinances can result in severe penalties.
Read the complete guide▶What is the Illinois eviction process and how long does it take?
Illinois eviction follows the Forcible Entry and Detainer process. For non-payment, landlords serve a 5-Day Notice to Quit. For lease violations, a 10-Day Notice to Quit is required. To terminate a month-to-month tenancy without cause, 30 days' notice is needed. Self-help evictions (changing locks, removing belongings) are strictly prohibited. In Chicago, the CRLTO imposes additional notice requirements and tenant cure periods that landlords must follow.
Read the complete guide▶What is the Illinois security deposit limit and return deadline?
Illinois state law does not cap security deposit amounts, but Cook County, Evanston, and Oak Park limit deposits to 1.5 times the monthly rent. State law requires deposits to be returned within 45 days of move-out. If deductions are made for property damage, an itemized statement with paid receipts must be provided within 30 days. Chicago's CRLTO requires deposits in interest-bearing accounts with annual interest payments to tenants.
Read the complete guide▶What is the Chicago RLTO and how does it affect landlords?
The Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (CRLTO) is one of the most powerful local tenant protection laws in the country. It imposes strict rules on security deposit handling (interest-bearing accounts required), mandates specific lease disclosures, limits late fees, and provides tenants with aggressive remedies including the ability to recover twice the deposit amount if a landlord violates the ordinance. Landlords operating in Chicago must comply with both state law and the CRLTO.
Read the complete guide▶What disclosures must Illinois landlords provide to tenants?
Illinois landlords must disclose lead-based paint hazards for pre-1978 buildings, radon hazards if testing reveals elevated levels, flood zone status and flooding history within the past 10 years (new in 2025), and shared utility meter arrangements where tenants may be paying for common area utilities. Chicago adds additional required disclosures including building code violations, foreclosure proceedings, and the full text of the CRLTO summary.
Read the complete guide▶What are Illinois landlord maintenance obligations and habitability standards?
Illinois enforces an implied warranty of habitability, requiring residential properties to be fit for human occupation and comply with building, housing, and health codes. Tenants can use the 'repair and deduct' remedy (765 ILCS 742) for repairs costing less than $500 or half a month's rent — they give 14 days' written notice, have the work done professionally, and deduct the cost from rent. Chicago's CRLTO provides even stronger tenant remedies for habitability failures.
Read the complete guide▶What are the late fee rules for rental properties in Illinois?
Illinois state law does not impose a specific cap on late fees but requires them to be reasonable and stated in the lease. Chicago's CRLTO is more restrictive, capping late fees at $10 per month for rent under $500, and 5% of the monthly rent amount for higher rents. The CRLTO also mandates a 5-day grace period before any late fee can be assessed. Violations of these limits can trigger tenant remedies under the ordinance.
Read the complete guide📬 Get notified when these laws change
We'll email you when landlord-tenant laws update in No spam — only law changes.
