Housing (Renters)

Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act. Prohibits the total amount of a security deposit from exceeding the amount of the first full month's rent for the tenant's dwelling that is the primary residence of the tenant. Allows a landlord to only charge a tenant a security deposit upon the signing of an initial lease agreement. Prohibits a landlord from charging a tenant an additional security deposit or increase the total amount of a security deposit upon the renewal of a lease or upon an increase in rent. Prohibits a landlord from increasing rent by more than 3.5% in a 12-month period for a dwelling that is the primary residence of the tenant. Requires that a landlord provide a tenant with a minimum of 30 days' written notice before increasing rent. Provides that if written notice is not provided, the tenant is not liable for the difference between the initial rent and the increased rent. Provides that any person alleging a violation of these new provisions may bring a civil action, in accordance with applicable law, in any court of competent jurisdiction and the court may order injunctive relief, monetary relief, attorney's fees, and costs.

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.

Creates the Residential Rental Property Registry Act and amends the Illinois Affordable Housing Act. Requires the State to establish the Residential Rental Registry to be maintained and monitored by the Illinois Housing Development Authority. Requires that each landlord of one or more dwelling units, including condominium and cooperative units, must register each dwelling unit by January 1 of each year with the Residential Rental Registry. Prohibits a person from allowing to be occupied or rented or charge, accept, or retain rent for any dwelling unit unless the landlord has registered the dwelling unit with the Residential Rental Registry. Provides that a landlord who has not paid the rental registry fee within the past 12 months for a particular dwelling unit may not increase the rent charged for the dwelling unit until the landlord pays, in full, the rental registry fee currently due for the dwelling unit. Requires all landlords of residential dwelling units to pay an annual registration fee in the amount of $100 per dwelling unit, excluding a local housing authority and an owner-occupied building of 6 or fewer units that pays a fee of $50 per dwelling unit. Authorizes the Illinois Housing Development Authority to administer the Act and adopt appropriate rules to implement the Act. Creates penalties for a landlord that provides false or misleading information to the Authority. Provides that registration fees and fines collected under the Residential Rental Property Act shall be deposited into the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund for the purpose of providing rental assistance.

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. Prohibits a person from entering into an agreement with any other person to not compete in rental pricing, fees, or any other rental term for residential rental units in the State. Prohibits a person from engaging in price coordination for residential rental units in the State. Prohibits a person from facilitating an agreement between 2 or more persons to not compete with respect to rental pricing, fees, or any other rental term for residential rental units in the State. Prohibits a person from using, subscribing to, contracting for, or paying for the services involving price coordination or otherwise encouraging or facilitating an agreement with other persons to not compete with respect to any rental term for residential rental units in the State. Allows an aggrieved person to bring a civil action seeking damages and makes a violation of the Act a violation of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act.

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.

Amends the Department of Revenue Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall administer a program to provide assistance to qualified mobile home owners who have experienced rent increases associated with lots in mobile home parks. Provides that a qualified mobile home owner is an individual who (i) is 65 years of age or older during the calendar year for which the subsidy is awarded, (ii) has an ownership interest in a mobile home that is located in a mobile home park or a manufactured home that is located in a mobile home park, (iii) uses the mobile home or manufactured home as the individual's principal dwelling place during specified periods of time, and (iv) has a household income that does not exceed certain limitations. Effective immediately.

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 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.