Is this Illinois lease agreement template free?

Yes, our Illinois lease agreement template is completely free. No signup, no hidden fees. Download as PDF or Word instantly.

Is this lease agreement valid in Illinois?

This template is designed to comply with Illinois (IL) state laws as of 2026. However, we recommend having important legal documents reviewed by a licensed Illinois attorney.

What are Illinois's requirements for a lease agreement?

Illinois has specific requirements for lease agreements that may differ from other states. Our builder automatically includes all IL-required clauses and disclosures. See the state law summary table above for details.

Do I need a lawyer to create a lease agreement in Illinois?

While Illinois does not require a lawyer to create a lease agreement, consulting with a licensed Illinois attorney is recommended for complex situations or high-value matters.

Can I use this template for any county in Illinois?

Yes, this template is designed for use throughout Illinois. However, some counties may have additional local requirements. Check with your local court or government office for any county-specific rules.

What is the security deposit limit in Illinois?

Illinois state law does not set a limit on security deposits. However, the City of Chicago limits security deposits to 1.5 months' rent. Regardless of location, deposits must be returned within 30 days (or 45 days with an itemized deduction statement) under the Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710/).

Must Illinois landlords pay interest on security deposits?

Under the Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 720/), landlords of buildings with 25 or more units must pay interest on security deposits annually. The interest rate is set by the state. Chicago's RLTO extends this requirement to all units within the city.

What notice is required for eviction in Illinois?

For non-payment of rent, landlords must give a 5-day written notice (735 ILCS 5/9-209). For lease violations, a 10-day notice is required. For month-to-month tenancies, 30 days' notice is needed.

Does Illinois have rent control?

Illinois does not have statewide rent control. The state previously had a preemption law (the Rent Control Preemption Act, 50 ILCS 825/), but it was repealed in 2024. Individual municipalities may now consider local rent control measures. Chicago does not currently have rent control but has various tenant protections under the RLTO.

What are a tenant's repair rights in Illinois?

Under the Residential Tenants' Right to Repair Act (765 ILCS 705/), if a landlord fails to make necessary repairs within 14 days of written notice (or sooner for emergencies), the tenant may make the repairs and deduct costs up to $500 or half a month's rent, whichever is greater.

What happens if an Illinois landlord retains a deposit in bad faith?

Under the Security Deposit Return Act, if a landlord willfully fails to return the deposit or provide an itemized statement within the required period, the tenant may recover twice the amount of the deposit, plus court costs and attorney fees (765 ILCS 710/1).

Does the Chicago RLTO apply to all rentals in Chicago?

The Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance applies to most residential rentals within the City of Chicago, with exceptions for owner-occupied buildings with 6 or fewer units, housing accommodations operated by educational institutions, and certain government-owned housing.

Is a written lease required in Illinois?

A written lease is legally required if the term exceeds one year under the Illinois Statute of Frauds. For shorter terms, oral agreements are technically valid but strongly discouraged. A written lease is essential for documenting all required disclosures and protecting both parties' rights.

Free Illinois Lease Agreement Template 2026

Create a lease agreement that complies with Illinois (IL) state laws. Our template includes all required clauses, disclosures, and state-specific provisions.

No signup required. Free PDF and Word download.

Illinois Lease Agreement Laws & Requirements

Security Deposit Limit	No statutory limit (Chicago: 1.5 months)
Deposit Return Period	30 days
Late Fee Rules	Must be reasonable; cannot exceed $20/month for first $500
Grace Period	5 days
Notice to Quit (Non-Payment)	5 days
Notice to Quit (Month-to-Month)	30 days
Required Disclosures	lead-paint, radon, utility-arrangements, carbon-monoxide-detector, building-code-violations
Governing Statute	765 ILCS 705/ (Landlord and Tenant Act)

Illinois-Specific Requirements

Illinois has specific laws governing lease agreements that differ from other states. Understanding these requirements is essential to creating a legally compliant document.

Our template automatically includes all Illinois-required provisions, disclosures, and clauses when you select Illinois as your state in the document builder.

How to Create Your Illinois Lease Agreement

1
Click "Create Document"
Illinois will be pre-selected as your state.
2
Answer the guided questions
Fill in the details specific to your situation. Illinois-required fields will be highlighted.
3
Review and download
Preview your completed Illinois lease agreement, then download as PDF or Word.

Frequently Asked Questions

Illinois Lease Agreement Laws Overview

Illinois landlord-tenant law is primarily governed by the Illinois Compiled Statutes, with the key provisions found in 765 ILCS 705/ (the Illinois Residential Tenants' Right to Repair Act), 765 ILCS 710/ (the Security Deposit Return Act), and 765 ILCS 720/ (the Security Deposit Interest Act). Chicago has its own comprehensive ordinance, the Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO), which provides additional protections.

Illinois law focuses heavily on security deposit handling. The Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710/) requires landlords to return deposits within 30 days (or 45 days if deductions are made) and provides strong penalties for non-compliance, including the potential to recover twice the deposit amount. Properties with 25 or more units must also pay interest on deposits under the Security Deposit Interest Act.

While Illinois does not have statewide rent control, the state has specific provisions governing lease renewals, tenant remedies for repair issues, and protections against retaliatory conduct by landlords. Lease agreements should be carefully drafted to comply with both state law and any applicable local ordinances.

Key Fact	Detail
Governing Statute	765 ILCS 705/, 710/, 720/
Security Deposit Limit	No statutory limit (1.5 months in Chicago)
Deposit Return Deadline	30 days (no deductions) / 45 days (with deductions)
Rent Control	None statewide; Chicago has some protections
Late Fee Rules	$20 or 20% of monthly rent in Chicago
Landlord Entry Notice	24 hours (in Chicago); no statewide statute
Lease Required in Writing	Yes, if term exceeds 1 year

Illinois Requirements & Disclosures

Required Disclosures

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure

Required for all housing built before 1978. Landlord must provide EPA pamphlet and disclose known lead paint hazards.

42 U.S.C. §4852d

Radon Hazard Disclosure

Landlord must disclose radon hazard information to tenants as required by the Illinois Radon Awareness Act.

420 ILCS 46/25

Carbon Monoxide Detector Notice

Landlord must install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors and notify tenants of their presence and importance.

430 ILCS 135/

Utility Disclosure

If utilities are shared or included in rent, the landlord must disclose how utility costs are allocated among units.

765 ILCS 740/

Concession Disclosure (Chicago)

In Chicago, if any concession (such as a free month's rent) was offered, the actual rent amount must be disclosed.

Chicago RLTO §5-12-170

Foreclosure Disclosure

If the property is the subject of a pending foreclosure, the landlord must disclose this to the tenant before signing.

735 ILCS 5/15-1224

Code Violations (Chicago)

In Chicago, landlord must disclose any pending building code violations that may affect the tenant's unit.

Chicago RLTO §5-12-100

Mandatory Clauses

Security Deposit Terms

Must specify deposit amount and comply with the Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710/) regarding deductions and return timeline.

Rent Amount and Payment Terms

Must clearly state monthly rent, due date, acceptable payment methods, and any applicable grace period.

Maintenance Responsibilities

Must outline landlord and tenant maintenance obligations consistent with 765 ILCS 705/ (Right to Repair Act).

Notice Requirements

Must specify proper notice methods and addresses for both parties to serve legally required notices.

Prohibited Clauses

Waiver of Landlord Liability

Clauses that exempt the landlord from liability for injuries caused by the landlord's negligence are void under Illinois law.

Confession of Judgment

Clauses authorizing the landlord to confess judgment against the tenant are void and unenforceable (735 ILCS 5/2-1301).

Waiver of Right to Jury Trial (Chicago)

Under the Chicago RLTO, clauses waiving the tenant's right to a jury trial in an eviction proceeding are prohibited.

Relevant Illinois Statutes (Illinois Compiled Statutes)

Section	Title	Description
765 ILCS 705/5	Right to Repair	Establishes tenant remedies when landlord fails to maintain the premises, including rent withholding and repair-and-deduct.
765 ILCS 710/1	Security Deposit Return Act	Requires return of security deposits within 30-45 days, itemized deduction statements, and penalties for bad-faith retention.
765 ILCS 720/1	Security Deposit Interest Act	Requires landlords of buildings with 25+ units to pay interest on security deposits annually.
765 ILCS 735/	Retaliatory Eviction Act	Prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who report code violations or exercise legal rights.
765 ILCS 740/	Utility Billing Act	Regulates utility billing and submetering in rental properties, requiring fair allocation of costs.
765 ILCS 750/	Tenant Utility Payment Disclosure Act	Requires disclosure when tenants are responsible for utility payments that serve common areas or other units.
735 ILCS 5/9-207	Eviction Notice Requirements	Specifies notice periods for various eviction grounds, including 5-day, 10-day, and 30-day notices.

Illinois Notice Periods

Action	Required Notice	Statute
Non-Payment of Rent	5 days	735 ILCS 5/9-209
Lease Violation	10 days	735 ILCS 5/9-210
Month-to-Month Termination	30 days	735 ILCS 5/9-207
Week-to-Week Termination	7 days	735 ILCS 5/9-207
Security Deposit Return (No Deductions)	30 days	765 ILCS 710/1
Security Deposit Return (With Deductions)	45 days with itemized statement	765 ILCS 710/1