Illinois security deposit law
Can I get more than my deposit back in Illinois?
The short answer
Often, yes. Illinois law allows up to 2x the deposit in statutory damages for wrongful withholding under 765 ILCS 710 / 765 ILCS 715, on top of the deposit itself.
Illinois is one of the states where wrongful withholding costs the landlord more than the deposit: 765 ILCS 710 / 765 ILCS 715 allows courts to award up to 2x the deposit in statutory damages, in addition to returning the deposit itself.
What this means practically: the money at stake is often larger than the deposit, and a landlord facing a potential 2x judgment has a strong incentive to settle when a tenant demonstrates they know the statute. Attorney's fees can also be recoverable, which changes the landlord's calculation further.
How tenants actually unlock these remedies: not by mentioning them on the phone, but in a formal demand letter that cites 765 ILCS 710 / 765 ILCS 715, the missed deadline, and the specific exposure. That letter is usually the moment the landlord's cost-benefit flips.
If it still goes unanswered, Circuit Court — Small Claims is where these damages get awarded, and the demand letter is the exhibit that proves you gave fair notice.
The Illinois rules at a glance. Governing statute: 765 ILCS 710 / 765 ILCS 715. Return deadline: 30 days (45 days with deductions claimed). Statutory damages: up to 2x the deposit for wrongful withholding. Attorney's fees: recoverable in qualifying cases. Court for disputes: Circuit Court — Small Claims, claims up to $10,000.
See what your landlord owes you under Illinois law.
Answer a few questions about your situation and get a Illinois-specific demand letter that applies these rules to your case, ready in about ten minutes.