Chicago's Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance, passed in 2023, requires landlords to have a valid legal reason to evict tenants or refuse to renew a lease. This landmark ordinance applies to most residential rental units in the city and provides critical protection against arbitrary displacement.
The Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance applies to most residential rental units in Chicago. Under the ordinance, landlords cannot evict tenants or refuse to renew a lease without a legally recognized reason. This means tenants who pay rent on time and comply with their lease cannot be displaced simply because the landlord wants to rent to someone else at a higher price or for any other arbitrary reason.
The ordinance specifies the valid grounds for eviction, which include: non-payment of rent, material lease violations that remain uncured after notice, use of the unit for illegal purposes, refusal to grant reasonable access for repairs, owner move-in (with restrictions), demolition or substantial rehabilitation requiring vacancy, and withdrawal of the unit from the rental market. The landlord must prove the stated reason in court.
Landlords must provide written notice specifying the just cause reason before filing an eviction case. For lease violations, the tenant must be given an opportunity to cure the violation before eviction can proceed. For no-fault reasons like owner move-in or demolition, the landlord may be required to provide advance notice and, in some cases, relocation assistance. Tenants can challenge the stated reason in court.
Certain properties may be exempt from the ordinance, including owner-occupied buildings with a limited number of units. However, the majority of rental housing in Chicago is covered. Tenants who are unsure whether they are protected should contact the Metropolitan Tenants Organization or Legal Aid Chicago for guidance.
3 questions answered
Legal just causes include non-payment of rent, material lease violation, owner move-in (for buildings with 6 or fewer units), and substantial rehabilitation. Your landlord cannot refuse to renew your lease without stating a valid just cause.
5 days for non-payment of rent; 10 days for lease violations; 30 days for other just causes. Written notice is required — verbal eviction notices are not legally valid.
Yes. The Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing and Legal Aid Chicago provide free legal help to low-income tenants facing eviction. Call (312) 347-7600 or go to Cook County Circuit Court's Help Center.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, contact a qualified attorney or one of the free legal services listed above.