Housing (Tenant Rights)

Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act. Provides that a tenant of a residential lease whose residential unit, dwelling, or common areas in the tenant's building is in violation of any applicable health or safety codes because of the fault of the landlord may terminate a lease without penalty or liability by providing the landlord with at least 30 days' written notice. Provides that "fault of the landlord" also means a failure to timely remove any violation of applicable health or safety codes. Provides that on the death of the tenant or if there is more than one tenant, upon the death of all tenants, the landlord or the representative of the tenant's estate may terminate the lease upon at least 30 days' written notice to the other party. Provides that after the lease agreement was entered into, a tenant or the legal representative of a tenant who has been determined to need long-term, full-time care may terminate a residential lease without penalty or liability by providing the landlord with at least 30 days' written notice and include an explanation of the reason and expected length of time for the tenant's departure. Provides that on termination of the lease, if any rent payment was made in advance, the landlord must return any unearned portion and security deposit paid, except to the extent that there are actual damages or repairs to be paid from the security deposit as provided in the lease agreement. Prohibits any attempted waiver or waiver provision in a lease agreement of the right to terminate is null and void. Prohibits any lease provision or agreement requiring a longer notice period than required by the Act is null and void, unless the landlord and tenant or tenant's personal representative agree to modify other specific provisions of the Act. Provides that the amendatory Act applies to leases executed on or after its effective date.

Appropriates $5,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for grants to counties with court-based eviction early resolution programs and associated legal assistance, mediation, and other services. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Makes it a violation of the Real Estate Transactions Article of the Act to unlawfully discriminate using credit score and history, including insufficient credit history. Limits these provisions to landlord and tenant agreements only in which a tenant or prospective tenant is seeking to use a rental subsidy.

Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act. Provides that in any eviction proceeding in which the trier of fact determines that the tenant has complied with the terms of the last written and signed lease as to the amount and timeliness of rent payments, the proceedings shall be sealed.

Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act. Requires landlords to disclose all non-optional fees in a clear and conspicuous manner in the listing and on the first page of the lease. Requires landlords to disclose if any utility bills are non-optional fees in the listing and the first page of the lease. Provides that if a landlord failed to comply with this disclosure, the landlord may not collect the non-optional fee. Prohibits a landlord from charging a bundled services fee that combines optional and non-optional fees. Prohibits a landlord from charging a tenant with a fee or fine that includes, but is not limited to, an application fee that includes a background check of more than $50, an after-hours request for maintenance service, or pest abatement or removal in which the tenant has not contributed to the infestation. Prohibits a landlord from charging a tenant more than one of the following: (i) a security deposit, (ii) a move-in fee, or (iii) a move-out fee. Exempts leases in owner-occupied buildings containing 6 or fewer units and to nonresidential tenancies. Defines terms. Creates a civil cause of action for violation of the Act by a landlord. Makes other changes. Limits home rule.

Creates the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act. Establishes a statutory right of first refusal for tenants and tenant associations if an owner seeks to sell a residential rental property in Illinois. Applies to all rental property with 11 exceptions. Allows tenants or a tenant association to purchase the property on the same terms as a third-party offer. Requires owners to provide advance notice of intent to sell no less than 60 days before listing for buildings with 5 or more units and no less than 30 days for buildings with 4 or fewer units. Requires that the notice must include property details, asking price, and a summary of tenant rights. Provides that after receiving a notice of sale, tenants of 5 or more units have 90 days to form a tenant association, for 3-4 units have 30 days; and for 1-2 units, at least one tenant has 15 days to declare intent to exercise the right of first refusal. Provides that tenants must match the third-party offer and provide the owner with a letter of intent of financing or preapproval within 120 calendar days from the date of the notice for 5 or more dwelling units and 60 days for 4 or fewer units. Prohibits the owner from requiring a tenant to pay a deposit of more than 5% of the contract sale price. Provides a civil cause of action and remedies for a violation of the Act. Authorizes the Illinois Housing Development Authority to adopt rules. Makes other changes.

Creates the Let the People Lift the Ban Act. Includes legislative findings and purpose. Defines terms. Excludes specified types of residences and occupancies from the Act. Includes provisions relating to rental agreements, tenant and landlord rights and obligations, tenant and landlord remedies, security deposits, retaliatory conduct, lockouts, and conflict with other provisions of law. Amends the Rent Control Preemption Act. Provides that a prohibition on a unit of local government enacting, maintaining, or enforcing an ordinance or resolution that would have the effect of controlling the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential or commercial property does not apply if the voters of the unit of local government have approved a referendum allowing rent control. Adds provisions about local rent control regulation, including regulation within a district, precinct, ward, or other similar subdivision of a unit of local government. Changes the home rule preemption of the Act to concurrent exercise of home rule powers by a unit rather than exclusive exercise by the State. Repeals the Retaliatory Eviction Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act. Prohibits a real estate broker or rental agent who rents or leases residential real estate as an agent of the landowner, landlord, lessor, or sublessor from demanding or receiving any payment or fee from a tenant or prospective tenant for any services as agent for any action arising out of the leasing of a residential rental property. Prohibits a landowner, landlord, lessor, or sublessor from demanding or requiring that a tenant or prospective tenant retain, hire, or engage a real estate broker or rental agent and pay the real estate broker or agent a fee or commission as a condition to applying for or leasing a residential rental unit. Authorizes a person alleging a violation of the Act to bring a civil action against the person or entity that is alleged to have violated this Act. Authorizes a court to award to the plaintiff injunctive relief, monetary relief, attorney's fees, and costs.

Amends the Housing Authorities Act. Provides that, unless otherwise required by federal law or regulation, a housing authority shall not establish or implement any rules, policies, or procedures that impose time limits or work requirements as a condition of initial or continued eligibility for any rent subsidy or assistance provided to qualifying tenants of the housing authority or to qualifying individuals through any rent subsidy or other housing assistance program administered by the housing authority. Permits a housing authority to establish, implement, or encourage an applicant or recipient of a rent subsidy or assistance to participate in a voluntary employment or job training program if the program: (1) does not impact the applicant's or recipient's initial or continued eligibility for the rent subsidy or assistance; and (2) has one of the specified goals for program participants, including, but not limited to, (i) increasing personal income, (ii) homeownership, or (iii) expanding employment options. Effective immediately.

Amends the Housing Authorities Act. Provides that, unless otherwise required by federal law or regulation, a housing authority shall not establish or implement any rules, policies, or procedures that impose time limits or work requirements as a condition of initial or continued eligibility for any rent subsidy or assistance provided to qualifying tenants of the housing authority or to qualifying individuals through any rent subsidy or other housing assistance program administered by the housing authority. Permits a housing authority to establish, implement, or encourage an applicant or recipient of a rent subsidy or assistance to participate in a voluntary employment or job training program if the program: (1) does not impact the applicant's or recipient's initial or continued eligibility for the rent subsidy or assistance; and (2) has one of the specified goals for program participants, including, but not limited to, (i) increasing personal income, (ii) homeownership, or (iii) expanding employment options.