765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 721 § 10
Remedies for violation of this Act. If the landlord acts in violation of this Act, the tenant has a defense in any retaliatory action against the tenant, and a landlord shall be subject to a civil action for damages and other appropriate relief, including, but not limited to, the following remedies: (1) terminate the rental agreement and, if the rental agreement is terminated, the landlord shall return all security and interest recoverable under the Security Deposit Return Act and all prepaid rent; (2) recover possession of the premises if the landlord has dispossessed, threatened to dispossess, or is in the process of dispossessing; and(3) recovery of an amount equal to and not more than 2 months' rent or 2 times the damages sustained by the tenant, whichever is greater, and reasonable attorney's fees
Operative Text
Remedies for violation of this Act. If the landlord acts in violation of this Act, the tenant has a defense in any retaliatory action against the tenant, and a landlord shall be subject to a civil action for damages and other appropriate relief, including, but not limited to, the following remedies: (1) terminate the rental agreement and, if the rental agreement is terminated, the landlord shall return all security and interest recoverable under the Security Deposit Return Act and all prepaid rent; (2) recover possession of the premises if the landlord has dispossessed, threatened to dispossess, or is in the process of dispossessing; and(3) recovery of an amount equal to and not more than 2 months' rent or 2 times the damages sustained by the tenant, whichever is greater, and reasonable attorney's fees.
Under 765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 721 § 10, when a landlord violates the Act, the tenant gains both a defensive shield and offensive remedies. The tenant may use the landlord's violation as a defense against any retaliatory action brought by the landlord. Available civil remedies include terminating the rental agreement with a full return of security deposits, prepaid rent, and accrued interest; recovering possession of the premises if the tenant has been or is being dispossessed; and obtaining monetary damages equal to the greater of two months' rent or twice the actual damages suffered, plus reasonable attorney's fees.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under 765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 721 § 10 should be aware that any violation of the Act exposes them to significant civil liability. Compliant operators generally avoid any conduct that could be characterized as retaliatory and ensure that security deposits, accrued interest, and prepaid rent are promptly returned whenever a tenancy ends as a result of a violation. Because the statute allows courts to award the greater of two months' rent or double actual damages—plus attorney's fees—the financial exposure from a single violation can be substantial.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 721 § 10, tenants whose landlords have violated the Act have several potential avenues of relief available through civil court. A landlord's violation can serve as a defense if the landlord brings a retaliatory action, and tenants may also pursue affirmative claims for monetary damages, return of deposits and prepaid rent, or recovery of their home if they have been displaced. Tenants seeking to understand which remedies may apply to their circumstances can consult a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office for general guidance on how this provision operates.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 2, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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