765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 742 § 15
Tenant liabilities and responsibilities. The tenant is responsible for ensuring that: (1) the repairs are performed in a workmanlike manner in compliance with the appropriate law, administrative rule, or local ordinance or regulation; (2) the tradesman or supplier that is hired by the tenant to perform the repairs holds the appropriate valid license or certificate required by State or municipal law to make the repair; and (3) the tradesman or supplier is adequately insured to cover any bodily harm or property damage that is caused by the negligence or substandard performance of the repairs by the tradesman or supplier. The tenant is responsible for any damages to the premises caused by a tradesman or supplier hired by the tenant. A tenant shall not be entitled to exercise the remedies provided for in this Act if the tenant does not comply with the requirements of this Section
Operative Text
Tenant liabilities and responsibilities. The tenant is responsible for ensuring that: (1) the repairs are performed in a workmanlike manner in compliance with the appropriate law, administrative rule, or local ordinance or regulation; (2) the tradesman or supplier that is hired by the tenant to perform the repairs holds the appropriate valid license or certificate required by State or municipal law to make the repair; and (3) the tradesman or supplier is adequately insured to cover any bodily harm or property damage that is caused by the negligence or substandard performance of the repairs by the tradesman or supplier. The tenant is responsible for any damages to the premises caused by a tradesman or supplier hired by the tenant. A tenant shall not be entitled to exercise the remedies provided for in this Act if the tenant does not comply with the requirements of this Section.
Under 765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 742 § 15, when a tenant arranges repairs under Illinois's repair-and-deduct framework, the law places specific obligations on the tenant regarding how those repairs are carried out. The work must be done in a workmanlike manner consistent with applicable laws and ordinances, the hired tradesperson or supplier must hold any license or certificate required by state or local law, and that tradesperson or supplier must carry adequate insurance for bodily harm or property damage. Critically, a tenant who fails to meet these requirements loses the right to use the remedies the Act otherwise provides.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 742 § 15, landlords and property managers should be aware that the Act's repair-and-deduct remedies are conditioned on the tenant meeting defined standards for contractor selection and workmanship. A compliant operator generally documents any damage to the premises caused by a tenant-hired tradesperson, since the statute holds the tenant financially responsible for such damage. Operators familiar with this provision understand that a tenant's failure to use a licensed, insured contractor performing workmanlike repairs can serve as a basis to contest the tenant's claimed remedies under the Act.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 742 § 15 establishes that tenants who use Illinois's repair-and-deduct remedies bear responsibility for ensuring their hired tradesperson or supplier is properly licensed, adequately insured, and performs work in a workmanlike manner consistent with applicable law. A tenant is also financially on the hook for any damage to the premises caused by a contractor they hire. Tenants who want to preserve their rights under the Act generally verify contractor credentials and insurance before work begins; tenant-rights organizations in Illinois can help explain what these requirements mean in practice.
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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