ILLINOIS — A Democratic-backed bill aimed at eliminating certain rental “junk fees” across Illinois failed to advance before the legislative session ended, leaving many renters frustrated and advocates calling for renewed urgency later this year.
The proposal would have banned charges such as move-in fees, lease renewal fees, routine maintenance fees, and fees for setting up online utility accounts, according to a WAND-TV report.
What the Bill Aimed to Ban
Had it passed, the bill would have restricted landlords from applying various additional charges, including:
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Application and lease renewal fees
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Eviction-related charges
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After-hours maintenance fees
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Fees to contact the landlord or use a hotline
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Charges to inspect a unit or set up utility services
Supporters said eliminating these hidden costs would make housing more accessible and predictable, especially in areas like Chicago, where rental fees are already high.
“Renting a property has turned into a deeply inequitable process,” said State Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) in the WAND-TV article. “It continues to frustrate and confuse thousands of people across Illinois.”
Landlords Push Back on Restrictions
Many landlords opposed the measure, arguing it would limit their ability to recover costs — especially in cases where tenants directly cause damage.
Steve Myers, a Springfield landlord, shared how a tenant brought in houseplants that introduced cockroaches to an otherwise clean building. He argued pest control in such cases shouldn’t be banned under the bill.
“All of a sudden, we now have cockroaches,” Myers said. “The building had none before.”
What’s Next?
Although the bill passed out of the Senate Executive Committee on a 9–4 partisan vote, it was never called for a final Senate vote. That means it’s dead for now — unless lawmakers revive it in a future session.
Sen. Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) said lawmakers hope to meet with realtors and stakeholders over the summer and try again later in the year.
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