Illinois Rental Application Overview
Illinois has strong tenant protections at the state level, with even stronger protections in Chicago and Cook County. Source of income discrimination is prohibited statewide, and Chicago has some of the nation's strongest criminal history screening restrictions.
Illinois does not have a statewide cap on application fees, but the City of Chicago caps application fees at actual screening costs and requires landlords to provide written screening criteria before accepting applications. Chicago's Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) governs these requirements within city limits.
No statewide cap (Ch
Max application fee
Yes, with written co
Credit check
Chicago and Cook Cou
Criminal bg check
2.5-3x monthly rent
Income requirement
Illinois Tenant Screening Laws
Application Fee Rules
Illinois does not have a statewide cap on application fees, but the City of Chicago caps application fees at actual screening costs and requires landlords to provide written screening criteria before accepting applications. Chicago's Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) governs these requirements within city limits.
Criminal Background Check Rules
The City of Chicago and Cook County have enacted Just Housing Amendments that restrict when and how landlords can consider criminal history. In Chicago, landlords cannot inquire about criminal history until after making a conditional offer, cannot consider arrests without conviction, and must perform individualized assessments. Cook County has similar restrictions. These are among the strongest criminal history protections in the nation.
Credit Check Requirements
Illinois landlords can run credit checks with written consent. Chicago requires landlords to provide written screening criteria (including credit score thresholds) to applicants before accepting the application and fee.
Fair Housing Protections
The Illinois Human Rights Act provides very broad fair housing protections adding sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, source of income, order of protection status, ancestry, and age. The Illinois Department of Human Rights enforces these protections.
Source of Income Protection
Illinois prohibits discrimination based on source of income. Landlords cannot reject applicants solely because their income comes from Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), Social Security, disability benefits, child support, alimony, or other lawful income sources. Violations can result in fair housing complaints and penalties.
Illinois Screening Criteria
Illinois landlords typically evaluate the following criteria when reviewing rental applications. All screening must comply with federal and Illinois state fair housing laws.
- Credit Score: Most Illinois landlords look for a credit score of 620 or higher, though thresholds vary by property and market
- Income: Gross monthly income of at least 2.5-3x monthly rent is the standard requirement
- Rental History: Positive references from previous landlords, no evictions, and a record of on-time rent payments
- Employment Verification: Stable employment or verifiable income sufficient to cover rent and living expenses
- Background Check: Subject to Illinois's restrictions on criminal history screening
How to Fill Out a Illinois Rental Application
Follow these steps to properly complete your Illinois rental application. Our template includes all sections required for Illinois-compliant tenant screening.
Provide Personal Information
Enter your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, phone number, email, and current address. Your SSN is required for the credit check and will be handled securely per Illinois data protection requirements.
Detail Your Rental History
List your current and previous addresses for the past 2-3 years, including landlord names and contact information, monthly rent, dates of tenancy, and reason for leaving. Illinois landlords will contact your previous landlords to verify this information.
Enter Employment and Income Details
Provide your employer's name, address, your position, length of employment, and gross monthly income. Include all income sources. Most Illinois landlords require income of at least 2.5-3x monthly rent.
Add References
Include 2-3 personal or professional references with their names, phone numbers, and your relationship. Let them know they may be contacted. Strong references can strengthen your application, especially if you have limited rental history.
Sign Authorization Forms
Review and sign the credit check authorization, background check consent, and FCRA disclosure. These are required by federal law before the landlord can access your consumer reports. The authorization is specific to this application and cannot be used for other purposes.
Submit with Supporting Documents
Attach copies of your photo ID, recent pay stubs, and any other requested documentation. Pay the application fee if required. Illinois .
Illinois Rental Application Fees & Costs
Here's a breakdown of typical rental application costs in Illinois. Fees vary by landlord and screening service used.
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $20-$75 |
| Credit Check | $15-$40 (often included in application fee) |
| Background Check | $20-$50 (often included in application fee) |
| Refundable? | Typically non-refundable |
Sample Illinois Rental Application
Below is a preview of our Illinois-specific rental application. Your customized document will include all fields and disclosures required under Illinois law.
STATE OF ILLINOIS
RENTAL APPLICATION
Tenant Screening Form
APPLICANT INFORMATION
Name: [Legal Name]
Date of Birth: [DOB] SSN: [XXX-XX-XXXX]
Phone: [Phone] Email: [Email]
RENTAL HISTORY
Current Address: [Illinois Address]
Landlord: [Name] Rent: $[Amount]
EMPLOYMENT & INCOME
Employer: [Company]
Monthly Income: $[Amount]
AUTHORIZATION
I authorize the landlord to obtain my credit report, conduct a background check, and verify the information provided in this application in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and Illinois state law...
Illinois Rental Application FAQ
Answers to common questions about rental applications, tenant screening, and landlord requirements in Illinois.
Official Illinois Resources
Use these official resources to learn more about Illinois tenant screening laws, fair housing requirements, and your rights as a landlord or tenant.
Illinois Department of Human Rights
Fair housing complaints and enforcement
City of Chicago RLTO Information
Chicago tenant rights and landlord-tenant ordinance
HUD Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity
Federal fair housing laws, complaints, and guidance
FTC Fair Credit Reporting Act
Federal credit reporting rights for tenants
Other Illinois Documents
Need other rental and lease documents for Illinois? We offer state-specific templates for every type of landlord-tenant document.
Create your Illinois Rental Application in under 5 minutes.
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