We are excited to announce that Cook County Commissioners just passed protections for 245,000+ suburban renter households in Cook County!

On January 28, the Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance (RTLO) was voted into law by the Cook County Board. The RTLO will:

• Create safeguards against illegal lockouts and guidance on when a landlord can enter a unit
• Create procedures for withholding rent until building problems are addressed
• Protect against lease terms that waive the basic tenant right to notices
• Prevent landlords from charging outrageous late fees for late rent payments
• Prohibit excessive security deposits and certain non-refundable "move-in" fees

...and more. The RTLO goes into effect June 1; however, the anti-lockout provision takes effect immediately.

For thirty years, renters living in Chicago, Evanston, and Mount Prospect have benefited from municipal ordinances defining basic tenant-landlord rights and responsibilities. Now, the Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance (RTLO) will protect suburban Cook County renters, as well.

Overall, the proposed ordinance clarifies the roles and responsibilities for both renters and landlords—making the rental landscape easier and fairer to navigate for everyone.

Our Thanks to Commissioners

We are excited to say that the proposal passed with unanimous, bipartisan support!

Chief Sponsor Commissioners Scott Britton and Kevin Morrison have been critical to the success of the RTLO, and we are particularly grateful to the two of them for their leadership. We are also thankful for the support of co-sponsoring Commissioners Anaya, Deer, Johnson, Lowry, Sims, and Suffredin.

What Comes Next

Be on the look out for trainings for legal advocates and housing professionals and know your rights events for renters. We want to help everyone understand these new rights and protections and how the RTLO will affect and improve the rental landscape in suburban Cook County.

About This Initiative

Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance, Housing Action Illinois, Housing Choice Partners, Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing, Neighbors for Affordable Housing, North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic, PASO – West Suburban Action Project, and Progress Center for Independent Living partnered to pass the RTLO, along with renter advocates and 60+ endorsing organizations »

To learn more about our campaign and get involved, contact Housing Action Illinois' Housing Policy Organizer, Sheila Sutton: sheila@housingactionil.org.

Housing Action Illinois is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization that works to protect and expand affordable housing for all.