Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Clumns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Toggle search form
  • Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025
    In response to draft effort, Jesse Jackson Jr. forms Exploratory Committee to consider 2nd Congressional District run Chicago
  • OFPD responds to fire at the loading Dock of Marshalls Retail Store, 101 Orland Park Place Mall. Photo submitted by resident
    Quick Orland Fire response prevents Marshall’s fire from spreading, no injuries Fire
  • Attorneys Jeffery Leving Arthur Kallow
    Leving Matrimonial Law Seminar – Defending Orders of Protection Arthur Kallow
  • Police Blotter
    Orland Park Police Department Investigating Fatal Hit-and-Run accident
  • Taste of Orland Park 2025
    Taste of Orland Park Returns to Village Center with Food, Fun and Festivities Events
  • Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge
    Exclusive interview with Orland Mayor Jim Dodge says former mayor left huge debt breaking news
  • Chicago Wovles play the Rockford Ice Hogs, Feb. 23, 2025
    Chicago Wolves hockey unveil 2025-26 Season schedule Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Everything you need to know about your Property Index Number or PIN Blogger
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Suburban Chicago Man Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Threatening FEMA Employees and Law Enforcement Officers Crime
  • SeatGeek Stadium
    Chivas de Guadalajara and Club Leon to meet in Chicago Bridgeview
  • OFPD Trustee DJ Jeffers, COmmissioner Mohammed Jaber, Events and Safety Coordinator Betsy Dine and McDonalds Manager Doug Kwiatkowski join about 100 kids who participated at the Frozen with a Firefighter event Wednesday, July 9, 2025
    Frozen with an Orland Firefighter at McDonald’s Events
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Chicago dad’s court victory brought kidnapped daughter home Dads' Rights
  • Congresswoman Robin Kelly official photo
    Leading members of State’s Gun Violence Prevention Community endorse Robin Kelly for U.S. Senate elections
  • IAM Union Logo
    IAM Union Members at Arrow Gear Ratify Strong Contract After 9 Weeks on Strike Business
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Seven Individuals Charged in Drug and Firearm Investigation Centered on South Side of Chicago Chicago
Cook County Renters Rights Coalition website

New Cook County Renter Rights & Protection laws take effect June 1

Posted on June 1, 2021June 1, 2021 By Ray Hanania
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

New Cook County Renter Rights & Protection laws take effect June 1

Ordinance extends protections to more than 200,000 renters

On June 1, 2021, all provisions of the Cook County Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance (RTLO) will go into effect. The ordinance extends housing protections to renters and landlords in more than 245,000 suburban households. 

“Substandard housing can cause an array of serious health conditions,” explains Jenna Prochaska, Health Justice Project at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. “This ordinance creates critical safeguards to help curb dangerous conditions–an important step to protect the health of vulnerable tenants in the Cook County suburbs.”

Renters with low income are more likely to fall into or deeper into financial insecurity as a result of unfair late fees, a landlord’s refusal to return a security deposit, a landlord disguising a security deposit as a move-in fee, or taking a landlord to court.

Chicago Renters Rights Coalition website

The RTLO creates consistent countywide rules for tenants and landlords, establishes basic expectations for decent behavior and healthy living conditions, and clarifies rules, making it easier for everyone to follow them. 

The Cook County Regional Tenant Landlord Ordinance:

  • Bans unlawful lockouts
    Restricts retaliatory conduct and undisclosed landlord entry

  • Protects owners against property destruction and abandonment
  • Provides consistency on how and when landlords can safely evict renters
  • Prohibits lease terms that waive written notices, rights to a trial, and disclosures
  • Blocks landlords from charging exorbitant late rent fees
  • Improves procedures for completing minor repairs in a timely manner
  • Guarantees fair security deposit returns
  • Prevents nontransparent move-in charges 
  • Defends tenants from landlord retaliation
  • Allows landlords a two-business day right to cure noncompliance with leases

The Cook County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to pass the ordinance on January 28, 2021. Cook County Commissioners Scott Britton and Kevin Morrison were chief sponsors of the ordinance, which was first introduced in July 2020. The commissioners worked with housing advocates, tenants’ rights and legal aid groups, as well as landlord, realtor and property owners’ groups to build support and consensus for the ordinance, and the final legislation incorporated a series of amendments. Commissioners Brandon Johnson, Larry Suffredin, Bill Lowry, Alma Anaya, Dennis Deer and Deborah Sims co-sponsored the ordinance. 

“We applaud the leadership and persistence of Commissioners Scott Britton and Kevin Morrison, who worked long and hard to pass this measure,” says Andrea Juracek of Housing Choice Partners. “We are thankful for the support that the full Cook County Board has shown for the ordinance.”

The Cook County Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance comes decades after the City of Chicago and suburbs such as Evanston and Mount Prospect adopted similar ordinances. A coalition of legal aid organizations and housing advocates are now working with municipalities that have adopted their own ordinances to ensure the various ordinances are consistent, complementary, and all offer robust protections to renters.  

“We look forward to working with Cook County, the City of Chicago, and villages throughout suburban Cook County to ensure that all renters in our communities have common housing rights and the support they need to stay secure in their housing,” says Michael Rabbitt of Neighbors for Affordable Housing. 

To view the ordinance itself, visit: https://bit.ly/3iT0VQQ 

To learn more about the campaign to pass the ordinance, visit: housingactionil.org/rtlo

To learn more about renter rights in the ordinance, visit: illinoislegalaid.org/ccrtlo

###

About the Cook County RTLO Coalition:

A coalition of housing advocacy organizations, legal aid organizations, and renter leaders worked to build support for the RTLO and are now working to raise awareness about the ordinance and support implementation of the ordinance. These organizations include: Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance, Health Justice Project at Loyola University School of Law, Housing Action Illinois, Housing Choice Partners, Illinois Legal Aid, Lawyers Committee for Better Housing, Metropolitan Tenants Organization, The Moran Center, Neighbors for Affordable Housing, North Suburban Legal Aid, PASO West Suburban Action Project, and Progress Center. 

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • In response to draft effort, Jesse Jackson Jr. forms Exploratory Committee to consider 2nd Congressional District run - July 15, 2025
  • Leving Matrimonial Law Seminar – Defending Orders of Protection - July 14, 2025
  • Orland Park Police Department Investigating Fatal Hit-and-Run - July 12, 2025
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Briefs, Cook County, General Topics, NewsWire, Suburban Chicagoland, Taxes Tags:Chicago, Cook County, homes, protections, rent, Renter Rights, renters rights, renting, residents, suburbs

Post navigation

Previous Post: Orland Park drops from “Safest City” list while Orland Hills rises
Next Post: Tinley Park police identify drivers of vehicles covered in racial slurs

Related Posts

  • CoronaVirus courtesy of Wikipedia
    Public Health Officials Announce 12,702 New Cases of Coronavirus Disease Cook County
  • John B. Schulz, 36, of the 7400 block of Brookside Drive in Hanover Park
    Hanover Park Man Charged with Multiple Felonies After Attempt to Meet Minor for Sex Cook County
  • Lethal injection room, San Quentin Prison. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    CBS’ Gayle King should be fired and vicious murderers should be put to death Blogger
  • Texas de Brazil Churrascario serving meat slices at Texas de Brazil rest Woodfield Mall
    All you can eat Brazilian steak houses Blogger
  • Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar hosts the Three Kings Celebration in Lyons with Mayor Chris Getty, Cook COunty Board President Toni Preckwinkle and other local officials
    Lyons co-hosts Three Kings Festival with Commissioner Aguilar Chicago
  • Christopher Columbus statue Chicago Grant Park. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Defending the statue of Christopher Columbus Blogger

More Related Articles

Joe Biden, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Donald Trump Robert F. Kennedy should be allowed to participate in presidential debates Blogger
Congressman Sean Casten Casten urges ban on Russian oil and more crippling economic sanctions Federal
Nitro Circus Nitro Circus’ “You Got This” tour comes to Bridgeview’s SeatGeek Stadium in Spring Entertainment
Former trustee and restaurant owner Ruben Pazmino hopes to continue to push his ideas to help taxpayers in Former Homer Glen as an independent voice in the April 1 election. Homer Glen gets very little attention from the media and its issues and needs are often ignored. Pazmino says he will fight to change that Former Homer Glen trustee Pazmino says village board needs independent voice elections
Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar Cook County Health awards over $14 million in community grants for behavioral health interventions Cook County
Town of Cicero Alley. Courtesy of the Town of Cicero Study shows Cicero has lowest tax increases in Chicagoland Chicago
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Everything you need to know about your Property Index Number or PIN
    July 12, 2025
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Chicago parents and other community leaders must work together to make sure this summer isn’t deadly for our children
    July 3, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    How Technology Changed the Cook County Treasurer’s Office
    June 27, 2025
  • Attorneys Jeffery Leving Arthur Kallow
    Honoring Fathers: A Father’s Day Reflection
    June 13, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Understanding Cook County Property Taxes: A Guide for Homeowners
    June 13, 2025
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Two Guys on Politics Podcast on Elon Musk, Trump’s Parade, LA Riots, and Middle East ban
    June 12, 2025
  • NEWS
  • Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025
    In response to draft effort, Jesse Jackson Jr. forms Exploratory Committee to consider 2nd Congressional District run
    July 15, 2025
  • OFPD responds to fire at the loading Dock of Marshalls Retail Store, 101 Orland Park Place Mall. Photo submitted by resident
    Quick Orland Fire response prevents Marshall’s fire from spreading, no injuries
    July 15, 2025
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • SPORTS
  • Chicago Wovles play the Rockford Ice Hogs, Feb. 23, 2025
    Chicago Wolves hockey unveil 2025-26 Season schedule
    July 12, 2025
  • SeatGeek Stadium
    Chivas de Guadalajara and Club Leon to meet in Chicago
    July 12, 2025
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025
    In response to draft effort, Jesse Jackson Jr. forms Exploratory Committee to consider 2nd Congressional District run
    July 15, 2025
  • OFPD responds to fire at the loading Dock of Marshalls Retail Store, 101 Orland Park Place Mall. Photo submitted by resident
    Quick Orland Fire response prevents Marshall’s fire from spreading, no injuries
    July 15, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme