SPRINGFIELD – Thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Karina Villa to expand tenants’ rights, renters are now protected from landlord retaliation.
“In my district, countless families have come to me for assistance due to a lack of services making their homes inhabitable or fearing homelessness after experiencing retaliation,” said Villa (D-west Chicago). “This creates housing instability, harming our communities. We must protect families who are simply seeking proper maintenance of their homes.”
The new law protects tenants from a landlord who knowingly terminates their tenancy, increases rent, decreases services, brings or threatens a lawsuit or refuses to renew a lease after a tenant sought assistance to ensure their housing was safe and habitable.
Actions taken by a tenant protected under this legislation include requests for repairs, complaints of code violations, organizing or being a member of a tenants’ union, testifying in an official proceeding, seeking assistance from elected officials and exercising any other right provided by law.
“With the high cost of living, it is irresponsible to continue to allow unjust forms of retaliation that put tenants in dangerous situations,” said Villa. “Tenants spend their hard-earned money on rent. Renters who are simply holding their landlords accountable should be protected.”
House Bill 4768 was signed into law last Friday and is effective Jan. 1, 2025.
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