Access some of the key laws and legislation that define the rights and responsibilities of renters. Laws are organized by authority: US Federal, Illinois State, Cook County and City of Chicago and grouped by subject: Landlord/Tenant, Foreclosure, Discrimination and Domestic Violence.
While the following list is not all-inclusive, and does not take the place of legal advice, knowledge is power! The more you know about your rights and responsibilities, the sooner you can recognize a potential problem and take appropriate action.
Law Listing
| Authority | Title | Link | Topics |
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| US Federal |
Fair Housing Act 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601—3619 (2014). |
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| US Federal |
Violence Against Women Act 42 U.S.C. §§ 13925—14045 (2014). |
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| Illinois State |
Eviction Act 735 ILCS 5/15-1101 et seq. (2013). |
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| Illinois State |
Illinois Human Rights Act 775 ILCS 5/1 et seq. (2013). |
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| Illinois State |
Illinois Mortgage Foreclosure Law (IMFL) 735 ILCS 5/15-1101 et seq. (2013). |
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| Illinois State |
Rental Property Utility Services Act 765 ILCS 735/1 et seq. (2013). |
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| Illinois State |
Residential Tenants' Right to Repair Act 765 ILCS 742/1 et seq. (2013). |
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| Illinois State |
Retaliatory Eviction Act 765 ILCS 720/1 et seq. (2013). |
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| Illinois State |
Safe Homes Act 765 ILCS 750/1 et seq. (2013). |
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| Illinois State |
Security Deposit Interest Act 765 ILCS 715 et seq. (2013). |
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| Illinois State |
Security Deposit Return Act 765 ILCS 710/1 et seq. (2013). |
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| Cook County |
Cook County Human Rights Ordinance Cook County Code of Ordinances § 42-30 et seq. (2002). |
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| City of Chicago |
Building Code Scofflaws and Problem Landlords Chicago Municipal Code § 2-92-416 |
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| City of Chicago |
Chicago Bed Bug Ordinance Chicago Municipal Code § 7-28-810 et seq. |
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| City of Chicago |
Chicago Fair Housing Ordinance Chicago Municipal Code § 5-8-010 et seq. |
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| City of Chicago |
Protecting Tenants in Foreclosed Rental Property Ordinance Chicago Municipal Code § 5-14-010 et seq. |
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| City of Chicago |
Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) Chicago Municipal Code § 5-12-010 et seq. |
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| City of Chicago |
Single-Room Occupancy and Residential Hotel Preservation Ordinance Chicago Municipal Code § 5-15-010 et seq. |
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