Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 5-12 § 5-12-180
Attorney's fees (Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO))
Operative Text
Except in cases of forcible entry and detainer actions, the prevailing plaintiff in any action arising out of a landlord's or tenant's application of the rights or remedies made available in this ordinance shall be entitled to all court costs and reasonable attorney's fees; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed or interpreted as precluding the awarding of attorney's fees in forcible entry and detainer actions in accordance with applicable law or as expressly provided in this ordinance. (Added Coun. J. 11-6-91, p. 7196)
Section 5-12-180 of the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance provides that when a landlord or tenant brings a lawsuit based on rights or remedies established by the ordinance, the party who wins that lawsuit is generally entitled to recover court costs and reasonable attorney's fees from the losing party. This fee-shifting rule does not apply automatically in forcible entry and detainer (eviction) actions, though attorney's fees in those proceedings may still be available under other applicable law or as specifically provided elsewhere in the ordinance. The provision is designed to make it financially feasible for either side to pursue legitimate claims under the ordinance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Chicago Municipal Code ch. 5-12 should be aware that a tenant who prevails in a lawsuit grounded in the ordinance's rights and remedies can seek reimbursement of their court costs and attorney's fees from the landlord. Compliant operators generally document their actions carefully and address potential ordinance violations proactively, recognizing that litigation losses can carry fee exposure beyond the underlying claim. Because § 5-12-180 applies to plaintiffs on either side, landlords who successfully bring their own ordinance-based claims may also be eligible to recover fees.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 5-12-180 of the Chicago Municipal Code, a tenant who is the prevailing plaintiff in a lawsuit asserting rights or remedies under the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance may be entitled to recover court costs and reasonable attorney's fees. This fee-shifting provision can make it more practical to pursue valid ordinance-based claims, since winning plaintiffs are not necessarily left to absorb their own legal costs. Tenants who believe their ordinance rights have been violated may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand how this provision could apply to their circumstances.
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 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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