Illinois Security Deposit Law
A 2026 guide for Illinois landlords: how much you can hold, the 45-day deadline to return it, whether interest is required, and the penalties for getting it wrong — plus a free calculator set to Illinois's rules.
Deposit cap
No statewide cap (Chicago limits vary by ordinance)
Refund deadline
45 days
30 days for an itemized statement, 45 days to refund the balance (varies for buildings of 5+ units).
Interest required?
No
Interest is required only for landlords with 25+ units in the same building (or Chicago's separate ordinance).
Separate account?
Not required
Penalty for noncompliance
Willful noncompliance for buildings of 5+ units can result in 2x damages plus attorney's fees.
Statute: 765 ILCS 710/1
Illinois security deposit refund calculator
Pre-set to Illinois's 45-day deadline. Enter the deposit and any deductions to see the refund and the exact due date.
Itemized deductions
Result
$1,500.00
Amount owed back to the tenant
- Deposit held
- $1,500.00
- Total deductions
- −$0.00
Legal deadline in Illinois
Return the deposit (or an itemized statement of deductions) within 45 days of move-out.
30 days for an itemized statement, 45 days to refund the balance (varies for buildings of 5+ units).
How to return a security deposit in Illinois
- 1
Inspect and document the unit
As soon as the tenant moves out, photograph every room and compare it against the move-in condition. In Illinois, deductions generally must reflect actual damage beyond normal wear and tear.
- 2
Itemize every deduction in writing
List each deduction with a dollar amount. Illinois — like nearly every state — can bar a landlord from keeping any of the deposit if deductions aren't itemized in a written statement.
- 3
Confirm no interest is required
Interest is required only for landlords with 25+ units in the same building (or Chicago's separate ordinance). That means you generally return the deposit minus documented deductions, with no added interest.
- 4
Return the balance within 45 days
Send the remaining balance and the itemized statement to the tenant's forwarding address within 45 days of move-out. 30 days for an itemized statement, 45 days to refund the balance (varies for buildings of 5+ units). Missing this deadline is the single most common way landlords lose a deposit dispute.
Illinois security deposit FAQ
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Illinois?
No statewide cap (Chicago limits vary by ordinance).
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Illinois?
A landlord generally has 45 days after the tenant moves out to return the deposit or send an itemized statement of deductions. 30 days for an itemized statement, 45 days to refund the balance (varies for buildings of 5+ units).
Is interest required on security deposits in Illinois?
Interest is required only for landlords with 25+ units in the same building (or Chicago's separate ordinance).
Does Illinois require the deposit to be held in a separate account?
Illinois does not impose a statewide separate-account requirement, though keeping deposits separate is still good practice.
What happens if a landlord wrongfully withholds a deposit in Illinois?
Willful noncompliance for buildings of 5+ units can result in 2x damages plus attorney's fees.
Related free tools
Deposit laws in other states
This page summarizes general state-level rules as of 2026 and does not cover city or county ordinances, which can be stricter. Verify against the statute cited above (765 ILCS 710/1) or with a local attorney before relying on it.