Rent control rules in Waukegan, IL — also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances — limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
Rent control is BANNED in Lake County under the Illinois Rent Control Preemption Act (50 ILCS 825). No municipality — Waukegan, Libertyville, Gurnee, Highland Park, or Lake Forest — may cap rent. Market rates apply to all rentals.
Illinois preempts local rent control under the Rent Control Preemption Act, 50 ILCS 825/5, which prohibits any unit of local government from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing rent control. This means no Lake County municipality — including Waukegan, North Chicago, Libertyville, Gurnee, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Mundelein, or Vernon Hills — can cap rent increases or impose rent stabilization. Landlords may raise rent by any amount upon lease renewal or, for month-to-month tenancies, with at least 30 days written notice under 735 ILCS 5/9-207. Tenants retain protections under the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act (765 ILCS 710) and Security Deposit Interest Act (765 ILCS 715) on larger buildings. HB2775 (2023) prohibits source-of-income discrimination (Section 8) but does not affect rent levels. Efforts to repeal the preemption (HB116/SB1713) have been introduced but not passed as of 2026.
No rent-cap violations possible — state preemption. Insufficient rent-increase notice: tenant can refuse until proper 30-day notice given. Retaliatory increase after habitability complaint: prohibited under 765 ILCS 720 (Retaliatory Eviction Act), treble damages available.
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