Gov. JB Pritzker signed a law recently prohibiting landlords statewide from taking retaliatory action against tenant complaints.
The bill was proposed by state Rep. Will Guzzardi, a Chicago Democrat.
“Far too often tenants face retaliation for … trying to exercise their basic rights, trying to make sure that the unit that they live in is habitable and safe,' he said, "And when they complain about conditions or raise questions with their landlord, instead of getting those conditions fixed or getting good answers from their landlord, they get an eviction notice on their door.’’
A similar message was approved in Cook County in 2021. The new law covering all of the state takes effect January 1, 2025.
Paul Arena, a representative for the Illinois Rental Property Owner Association. said his organization opposed the legislation because ”it creates liability for a landlord who has done nothing wrong.. So if your tenant calls you for maintenance and you respond immediately, the liability of that legislation is triggered.”
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The law says a tenant may seek recovery of equal to two months rent or twice the damage suffered by the renter, as well as reasonable attorney fees.
Guzzardi said, “Of course, most landlords are very eager to fix these problems and make sure their tenants have great places to stay. But where it does happen, It's unacceptable and it shouldn't be allowed under law.”
