When Must an Illinois Landlord Return Your Security Deposit?

The Illinois rule in one table

What makes Illinois different

Most states in this directory give one number for the return deadline. Illinois gives two, and the two numbers do different jobs. The 30-day clock is the itemization clock: the landlord must send a statement that names each item of damage and its cost, backed by paid receipts or copies. If the landlord gave estimated costs first, the paid receipts must follow within 30 days after that statement. The 45-day clock is the fallback: if the landlord never furnishes the statement and receipts as required, the whole deposit comes back within 45 days of vacating. A guide that reports only 45 days misses the duty that comes first.

The other Illinois trap is the forwarding address. The statute excuses the landlord from damages and penalties that result from the tenant's own failure to provide a mailing or email address. Send your forwarding address in writing when you leave, and keep a copy. The landlord can only mail the statement and any refund to an address they have.

Chicago tenants face one more layer. Chicago's Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance adds duties the state act does not impose in the same form: a segregated interest-bearing account for the deposit, a receipt, and interest on deposits held more than six months. The Chicago timing parallels the state split, with a 30-day itemization statement and a 45-day return. The Chicago details on this page come from a code-library reproduction of the ordinance, not from a City of Chicago page read for this guide, so confirm the current ordinance text before relying on the Chicago paragraph alone.

The move-out process, step by step

1. Vacate and give a forwarding address in writing. The 30-day and 45-day clocks run from vacating and from the end of your right of possession, whichever is later. Your written forwarding address is what the landlord mails to.
2. Wait for the itemized statement, and check it against the statute. Every deduction must be damage beyond normal wear and tear, in a reasonable amount to restore the unit. Lease-specified cleaning or repair amounts must be referenced in the statement with the lease portion included.
3. Count 30 days, then 45 days. If the statement arrives, check each receipt. If estimated costs were given, the paid receipts must arrive within 30 days after the statement. If nothing proper arrives, the full deposit is due within 45 days of vacating.
4. If the deadline passes with nothing, write a demand first. A written demand that cites 765 ILCS 710 and the missed clock settles many claims without a filing. See How to Write a Security Deposit Demand Letter for what the letter should contain.
5. If the demand fails, the remedy runs through circuit court. The bad-faith penalty, twice the deposit due plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees, requires a circuit-court finding that the landlord refused the itemized statement or supplied it in bad faith and failed to return the amount due in time.

For the same deadlines in the other seven states, see the Security Deposit Return Deadlines by State directory.

Source

Every deadline and penalty on this page comes from the statute itself: Illinois General Assembly, 765 ILCS 710, Security Deposit Return Act. Chicago ordinance details come from the Chicago code library reproduction of Municipal Code section 5-12-080. Facts verified 2026-10-25.

This page explains how the process works and what the official rules say. It is general information, not legal advice. For a dispute about your specific situation, talk to a lawyer or your state agency.