Suburban Cook County landlords ending tenancy without tenant fault under the Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance must provide written notice and, in qualifying conversions or demolitions, a relocation payment to displaced tenants.
The Cook County RTLO (Ch. 42, art VII) requires extended notice and limited relocation payments when a landlord forces displacement without fault. Triggering events include condominium conversion, substantial rehabilitation, demolition, and owner move-in. Payment amounts in qualifying conversion cases follow the Cook County Condominium Conversion Ordinance, with elderly and disabled tenants entitled to higher amounts. Notice requirements range from 60 to 120 days depending on tenancy length. The ordinance applies in suburban Cook County only; Chicago has its own RLTO and unincorporated areas follow these county rules.
Failure to pay required relocation assistance or provide proper notice exposes landlords to tenant suits for actual damages, two months rent, and attorney fees under RTLO remedies.
See how Evanston's relocation assistance rules stack up against other locations.
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