Sources checked:
Quick answer. Illinois: no deposit cap in the law read; deposit returned within 45 days; 30-day notice to end month-to-month; 5-day notice for unpaid rent; $10,000 small claims limit. 17 of 23 items are confirmed on official pages; 6 are marked not confirmed, with the page to check.
Key numbers
- Deposit limit
- No cap in the law read
- Deposit back within
- 45 days
- Month-to-month notice (landlord)
- 30 days
- Unpaid rent notice
- 5 days
- Time to answer or appear
- At the hearing
- Small claims limit
- $10,000
Security deposit (6 of 6 confirmed)
Law read: 765 ILCS 710 (Security Deposit Return Act).
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ConfirmedDeposit limit
No maximum in 765 ILCS 710.
Source: Illinois Attorney General: Landlord and Tenant Rights and Laws (01/24), checked November 2026
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ConfirmedReturn deadline
In buildings of five or more units: the deposit in full within 45 days of move-out; if any amount is withheld, an itemized statement of damages with paid receipts within 30 days of move-out.
Itemized statement with receipts (if withholding): 30 days
Source: Illinois Attorney General: Landlord and Tenant Rights and Laws (01/24), checked November 2026
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ConfirmedItemized list of deductions
An itemized statement of damages with paid receipts, within 30 days of move-out.
Source: Illinois Attorney General: Landlord and Tenant Rights and Laws (01/24), checked November 2026
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ConfirmedInterest on the deposit
Where the deposit is held at least six months and the building or complex has at least 25 units, interest is paid or credited every 12 months. The Attorney General's guide gives no rate; check 765 ILCS 715.
Source: Illinois Attorney General: Landlord and Tenant Rights and Laws (01/24), checked November 2026
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ConfirmedWhere the deposit is held
None stated in 765 ILCS 710.
Source: Illinois Attorney General: Landlord and Tenant Rights and Laws (01/24), checked November 2026
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ConfirmedPenalty the law states
If a court finds a violation, damages of two times the deposit, plus court costs and attorney fees.
Source: Illinois Attorney General: Landlord and Tenant Rights and Laws (01/24), checked November 2026
Who the deposit rules cover: The Attorney General says the return rules apply to buildings or complexes of five or more units. Chicago and other cities can have their own ordinances.
More: Security deposit rules by state · Deposit return deadline calculator
Notice periods (5 of 6 confirmed)
What the official text says about each notice. Cities and counties can add their own notice, just-cause or rent rules. Check local rules too.
| Notice | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ending month-to-month (landlord) | A 30-day written notice; no reason needed. | Source: Illinois Attorney General: Landlord and Tenant Rights and Laws, checked November 2026 |
| Ending month-to-month (tenant) | A 30-day notice is normally enough, unless the lease requires longer. | Source: Illinois Attorney General: Landlord and Tenant Rights and Laws, checked November 2026 |
| Rent increase notice | 30 days' notice for a month-to-month tenancy (7 days for week-to-week); no increase during a fixed-term lease. | Source: Illinois Attorney General: Landlord and Tenant Rights and Laws, checked November 2026 |
| Unpaid rent notice | Five days to pay the rent. | Source: Illinois Attorney General: Landlord and Tenant Rights and Laws, checked November 2026 |
| Entry notice | Not confirmed — check Illinois Attorney General: Landlord and Tenant Rights and Laws. Not covered in the Attorney General guide. Check the lease and any local ordinance. | |
| Late fee limits | A reasonable fee for late rent; the guide sets no cap. | Source: Illinois Attorney General: Landlord and Tenant Rights and Laws, checked November 2026 |
More: Notice periods by state · Notice date calculator
Eviction case, in order (5 of 10 confirmed)
- Notice before filing The written notice comes first; its length is in the notice table above.
Unpaid rent: Five days to pay the rent.
- Filing the case Where the case goes and what it costs to start.
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ConfirmedCourt
The circuit court for the county.
IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT
Source: Illinois Courts: Eviction Summons, statewide approved form (ATJ 3510.4, 10/26), checked November 2026
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Not confirmedFiling fee
Not confirmed — check Illinois Courts: Eviction Summons, statewide approved form (ATJ 3510.4, 10/26). Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
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- The tenant's answer or appearance
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ConfirmedTime to answer or appear
The tenant attends court on the summons date; a written Answer is needed only if the judge orders one.
You do not have to file a court form called an Answer in an eviction case unless ordered to by the judge.
Source: Illinois Courts: Eviction Summons, statewide approved form (ATJ 3510.4, 10/26), checked November 2026
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- Hearing or trial
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ConfirmedHearing after filing
The summons must be served at least 3 days before the court date (7 in Cook County); the earliest date here assumes service on the filing day.
This summons must be served at least 3 days before the court date (7 days in Cook County).
Source: Illinois Courts: Eviction Summons, statewide approved form (ATJ 3510.4, 10/26), checked November 2026
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- Judgment and the writ The order that lets the officer act.
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Not confirmedJudgment to writ
Not confirmed — check Illinois Courts: Eviction Summons, statewide approved form (ATJ 3510.4, 10/26). Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
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- Lockout Carried out by an officer, not by either side.
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Not confirmedWrit to lockout
Not confirmed — check Illinois Courts: Eviction Summons, statewide approved form (ATJ 3510.4, 10/26). Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
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ConfirmedWho carries out the lockout
If the tenant doesn't move after an eviction order, the sheriff can remove the occupants.
the sheriff can remove you and all other occupants from the property
Source: Illinois Courts: Eviction Summons, statewide approved form (ATJ 3510.4, 10/26), checked November 2026
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- Along the way Paying to stop the case, counsel and diversion programs.
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Not confirmedPaying to stop the case
Not confirmed — check Illinois Courts: Eviction Summons, statewide approved form (ATJ 3510.4, 10/26). Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
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Not confirmedRight to counsel (statewide)
Not confirmed — check Illinois Courts: Eviction Summons, statewide approved form (ATJ 3510.4, 10/26). Not confirmed on an official page we opened.
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ConfirmedDiversion or mediation (statewide)
Eviction Help Illinois, a state-funded network, offers free legal aid, mediation and rental assistance referrals to people in Illinois below 80% of median income.
Eviction Help Illinois is a state-funded network providing free legal aid, mediation services
Source: Illinois Courts: Eviction Help Illinois, checked November 2026
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Example: a case filed Monday, March 1, 2027
The earliest date of each stage the confirmed rules allow, from our eviction timeline estimator. Earliest under the statute; courts' calendars often take longer.
| Stage | Earliest date |
|---|---|
| Case filed | Monday, March 1, 2027 |
| Answer or appear | Thursday, March 4, 2027 |
| Hearing or trial | Thursday, March 4, 2027 |
| Judgment | Thursday, March 4, 2027 |
Help the official pages name: Illinois Court Help, call or text (833) 411-1121, Eviction Help Illinois, 855-631-0811 and Cook County's Early Resolution Program (free legal aid).
More: Eviction process timeline by state · Eviction timeline estimator
Deposit disputes: small claims
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ConfirmedSmall claims limit (for a deposit dispute)
$10,000: the most a small claims case can ask for.
$10,000 or less.
Source: Illinois Courts: How to File and Serve a Small Claims Complaint and Summons (SC-I 1802.1, rev. 08/20), checked November 2026
More: Illinois small claims court
Still to confirm
- Entry notice: check Illinois Attorney General: Landlord and Tenant Rights and Laws
- Filing fee: check Illinois Courts: Eviction Summons, statewide approved form (ATJ 3510.4, 10/26)
- Judgment to writ: check Illinois Courts: Eviction Summons, statewide approved form (ATJ 3510.4, 10/26)
- Writ to lockout: check Illinois Courts: Eviction Summons, statewide approved form (ATJ 3510.4, 10/26)
- Paying to stop the case: check Illinois Courts: Eviction Summons, statewide approved form (ATJ 3510.4, 10/26)
- Right to counsel (statewide): check Illinois Courts: Eviction Summons, statewide approved form (ATJ 3510.4, 10/26)
Illinois kit
Illinois Landlord Compliance Kit
This page as a printable checklist with every source link and check date, a move-in and move-out deposit checklist with the Illinois return deadline, a notice calendar, an eviction timeline sheet, and an Excel workbook with a tenant notice log, a deposit tracker that works out the return date, and a rent ledger.
Kits for any state: Security Deposit Kit for Landlords and Tenants ($15) · Landlord-Tenant Notice Organizer ($15) · Eviction Case File Organizer ($15)
General information, not legal advice. We are not lawyers, and MCC Solutions is not a law firm. The same rules apply whichever side of the lease you are on; this page describes them and doesn't take a side. Rules change, cities and counties can add their own, a lease can add terms, and the official source has the final word.
Common questions
How much can a security deposit be in Illinois?
No maximum in 765 ILCS 710.
How long does a Illinois landlord have to return a deposit?
In buildings of five or more units: the deposit in full within 45 days of move-out; if any amount is withheld, an itemized statement of damages with paid receipts within 30 days of move-out. What goes with it: An itemized statement of damages with paid receipts, within 30 days of move-out.
How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in Illinois?
From the landlord: A 30-day written notice; no reason needed. From the tenant: A 30-day notice is normally enough, unless the lease requires longer.
What notice comes before an unpaid-rent case in Illinois?
Five days to pay the rent.
How long does an eviction case take in Illinois?
Time to answer or appear: At the hearing. Hearing after filing: At least 3 days. These are the stated rules; the court's calendar often takes longer.
Can a Illinois deposit dispute go to small claims court?
The small claims limit in our data: $10,000: the most a small claims case can ask for. The court's own page explains what kinds of cases it hears.
How much notice before a landlord enters a rental in Illinois?
Not confirmed in our data files. Check Illinois Attorney General: Landlord and Tenant Rights and Laws (https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/Page-Attachments/LandlordAndTenantRightsLaws.pdf).
Related: Landlord rules by state · Kits for landlords