Cook County, IL Public Health Rules: Bed-Bug Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Treatment start deadline
- 10 days after report
- Record retention
- 3 years, inspectable
- Applies to
- Countywide rental units
- Excludes
- Cities with own tenant ordinance, e.g. Chicago
Summary
County landlords must eliminate bed bug infestations using a licensed pest control professional and keep three years of treatment records.
The landlord has an obligation to maintain the premises free from bed bugs. ... In any rental dwelling unit in which an infestation of bed bugs is found or reasonably suspected, it is the responsibility of the landlord to: a. Provide pest control services by a pest management professional until such time that no evidence of bed bugs can be found and verified; b. Maintain a written record of the pest control measures ... for three years ...
Full Breakdown
Under the Residential Tenant and Landlord Ordinance, a Cook County landlord must give every prospective and current tenant the EPA bed bug pamphlet and, once an infestation is found or reasonably suspected, hire a pest management professional to treat the unit -- and, in multi-unit buildings, the units on either side and directly above and below -- until no evidence remains. Treatment must start within ten days of a report, and records of the pest control work must be kept for three years and made available to county health and buildings staff. The ordinance covers dwelling units countywide but excludes municipalities, such as Chicago, that have adopted their own comparable landlord-tenant ordinance covering the same rights and remedies.
Violations & Fines
Landlord who ignores a bed bug notice for two business days after written notice of breach lets the tenant terminate the lease and recover one month's rent or actual damages plus attorney's fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply to my apartment in Chicago?
How fast must my landlord act after I report bed bugs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cook County
Compare Cook County to another location·View the Illinois public health rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.