Bed-Bug Rules: Chicago vs Skokie

How fast must my landlord respond to my bed bug complaint?

Chicago requires a licensed pest control operator within 10 days of written tenant notice under MCC 7-28-810. Failure to act lets tenants sue for habitability and file 311 complaints with CDPH.

Can I throw an infested mattress in the alley?

No. MCC 7-28-840 requires bed bug-infested mattresses and box springs to be sealed in plastic and labeled before disposal. Bare dumping in alleys is a separate sanitation violation.

Who pays for bed bug treatment in Chicago rentals?

The landlord pays unless they prove the tenant introduced the infestation. Treatment typically requires multiple visits with heat or chemicals plus follow-up inspections to verify eradication.

Must my Cook County landlord disclose past bed bugs?

Illinois has no state-mandated disclosure form unlike California. Tenants may still ask, and material concealment of an active infestation can support fraud or habitability claims under common law and the Illinois Landlord and Tenant Act.

Who pays for treatment in suburban Cook?

Cost typically falls on landlords because infestations render units uninhabitable under Illinois habitability principles. Tenants must allow access for licensed pest treatment and follow preparation instructions or risk shifting costs back.

Where do I complain in unincorporated Cook County?

Contact CCDPH Environmental Health at 708-633-4000 and your township assessor or county building department. Inspectors can document conditions, refer for licensing enforcement, and coordinate with municipal code officials in contracting suburbs.