Do this today
- Write the date, time, who entered, and whether you were told in advance.
- Keep texts, emails, or posted notes about entry.
- If you felt unsafe, that is a safety issue as well as a tenancy issue — 911 if someone is in danger.
- Do not change locks without confirming Illinois rules and the lease.
What usually depends on the reason?
Emergencies, agreed-upon repairs, and showings to buyers or new tenants are often treated differently in Illinois tenancy and eviction-related statutes. A national “24 hours” line is a rumor, not a rule we will print. The hour-count, if Illinois has one, is in the chapter.
What if it keeps happening?
Repeated unannounced entry is worth a dated log. Whether Illinois treats that as a breach, a privacy violation, or something a court can stop is a legal-aid question. The log is what you take them.
Is Illinois the same as Chicago for renters?
No. Illinois statutes are the statewide floor. Chicago’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (Municipal Code ch. 5-12) covers a large share of Chicago units — and not every unit, and not the suburbs. Cook County suburbs are a different ordinance. Confirm the address.
The Illinois chapter
Illinois tenancy and eviction-related statutes (765 ILCS 705 to 755) is the starting point. We name it. We do not paraphrase a day-count or a dollar cap out of it.
Illinois has a statewide Landlord and Tenant Act, but a large share of Illinois renters are covered by a city ordinance that adds to it. Chicago and several suburbs and counties have their own residential landlord–tenant ordinances.
Chicago has a Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance. Cook County, Evanston and other Illinois municipalities have adopted their own ordinances. Which one applies depends on the address and sometimes on the size or type of the building.
Official sources
- StatuteIllinois Landlord and Tenant Act (765 ILCS 705)Illinois General Assembly, the state's official statute publisher.
- Free legal helpIllinois Legal Aid Online — Landlord-tenant lawsStatewide legal-aid guides, including which local ordinance covers an address.
- Statute indexCornell LII landlord-tenant table765 ILCS 705 to 755
- FederalHUD — Illinois
- Free legal helpLawHelp.org — Illinois
Common questions
Can my landlord in Illinois enter without notice?
Sometimes, for emergencies. For other reasons, Illinois tenancy and eviction-related statutes usually requires notice of some kind. We do not print an hour-count. Write down what happened and confirm the chapter.
Can I refuse entry in Illinois?
It depends on the reason, the notice, and the lease. Refusing a lawful entry can become a lease issue. Ask legal aid before you change locks or bar a posted repair visit.
Is Illinois the same as Chicago for renters?
No. Illinois statutes are the statewide floor. Chicago’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (Municipal Code ch. 5-12) covers a large share of Chicago units — and not every unit, and not the suburbs. Cook County suburbs are a different ordinance. Confirm the address.
The national landlord entry guide has the full sequence. Open the landlord entry guide
People also ask
Last reviewed 8 September 2026. Legal information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. hello@renterprotection.org