Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 5-12 § 5-12-160
Prohibition on interruption of tenant occupancy by landlord (Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO))
Operative Text
It is unlawful for any landlord or any person acting at his direction knowingly to oust or dispossess or threaten or attempt to oust or dispossess any tenant from a dwelling unit without authority of law, by plugging, changing, adding or removing any lock or latching device; or by blocking any entrance into said unit; or by removing any door or window from said unit; or by interfering with the services to said unit; including but not limited to electricity, gas, hot or cold water, plumbing, heat or telephone service; or by removing a tenant's personal property from said unit; or by the removal or incapacitating of appliances or fixtures, except for the purpose of making necessary repairs; or by the use or threat of force, violence or injury to a tenant's person or property; or by any act rendering a dwelling unit or any part thereof or any personal property located therein inaccessible or uninhabitable. The foregoing shall not apply where: (a) A landlord acts in compliance with the laws of Illinois pertaining to forcible entry and detainer and engages the sheriff of Cook County to forcibly evict a tenant or his personal property; or (b) A landlord acts in compliance with the laws of Illinois pertaining to distress for rent; or (c) A landlord interferes temporarily with possession only as necessary to make needed repairs or inspection and only as provided by law; or (d) The tenant has abandoned the dwelling unit, as defined in Section 5-12-130 (e). Whenever a complaint of violation of this provision is received by the Chicago Police Department, the department shall investigate and determine whether a violation has occurred. Any person found guilty of violating this section shall be fined not less then $200.00 nor more than $500.00, and each day that such violation shall occur or continue shall constitute a separate and distinct offense for which a fine as herein provided shall be imposed. If a tenant in a civil legal proceeding against his landlord establishes that a violation of this section has occurred he shall be entitled to recover possession of his dwelling unit or personal property and shall recover an amount equal to not more than two months' rent or twice the actual damages sustained by him, whichever is greater. A tenant may pursue any civil remedy for violation of this section regardless of whether a fine has been entered against the landlord pursuant to this section. (Prior code § 193.1-16; Added Coun. J. 9-8-86, p. 33771; Amend Coun. J. 11-6-91, p. 7196)
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 5-12 § 5-12-160 prohibits landlords and anyone acting on their behalf from removing or displacing a tenant from a dwelling unit without legal authority. Covered conduct includes changing locks, blocking entrances, removing doors or windows, cutting off utilities, removing personal property, and any other act that makes the unit inaccessible or uninhabitable. Limited exceptions exist for court-ordered evictions carried out by the Cook County Sheriff, lawful distress-for-rent proceedings, temporary interference needed for repairs or inspections, and situations where a tenant has legally abandoned the unit.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 5-12 § 5-12-160, compliant property owners rely exclusively on the formal court process—specifically, a forcible entry and detainer action with Cook County Sheriff enforcement—when seeking to remove a tenant. Operators generally ensure that any lock changes, utility interruptions, or removal of fixtures occur only within the narrow exceptions the provision recognizes, such as documented necessary repairs. Violations can result in criminal fines of $200–$500 per day and civil liability of up to two months' rent or twice the tenant's actual damages, whichever is greater.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 5-12 § 5-12-160 gives tenants the right to remain in their dwelling unit and to keep their personal property there until a landlord obtains lawful court authority to remove them. If a landlord engages in conduct such as changing locks, shutting off utilities, or removing belongings without that authority, a tenant may file a complaint with the Chicago Police Department, which is directed to investigate such reports. In a civil proceeding, a tenant who establishes a violation may be entitled to recover possession of the unit and damages of up to two months' rent or twice actual damages—whichever is greater—and pursuing civil remedies is available regardless of whether a criminal fine has been imposed; tenant-rights organizations in Chicago can help identify which paths may be available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 12, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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