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Early Lease Termination Laws in Illinois

In Illinois, a tenant facing a credible imminent threat of domestic or sexual violence, or a victim of sexual violence on the premises, is not liable for rent after vacating if notice is given within 3 days of leaving, and landlords must take reasonable measures to mitigate damages.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Illinois at a glance

Domestic violence victims
Yes, notice within 3 days of leaving
Safe Homes Act affirmative defense; a victim of sexual violence on the premises must give notice within 60 days of the incident. Rent owed before vacating is still due.
Landlord must re-rent
Yes, by statute

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Illinois

Can domestic violence or sexual assault victims end a lease early in Illinois?

Yes, notice within 3 days of leaving. Domestic violence victims in Illinois: yes, notice within 3 days of leaving. Safe Homes Act affirmative defense; a victim of sexual violence on the premises must give notice within 60 days of the incident. Rent owed before vacating is still due.

Does a landlord in Illinois have to try to re-rent the unit after a tenant leaves early?

Yes, by statute. Landlord must re-rent in Illinois: yes, by statute.

Where do the Illinois early lease termination laws come from?

The rules above come from 765 ILCS 750/15 and 735 ILCS 5/9-213.1. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Read the lease first. Many leases contain an early termination clause, a buyout fee or a sublease option that may be easier to use than a statutory right. A statutory right usually applies even if the lease says nothing about it, and a lease generally cannot waive it.

Statutory early termination rights usually come with conditions. Common ones are written notice to the landlord, a minimum notice period, and proof such as a protective order, police report, military orders or a doctor's statement. Keep copies of everything you send and note the date and method of delivery.

If you leave without a statutory right, you may still owe rent until the unit is re-rented or the lease ends. Where a landlord has a duty to mitigate, it must make reasonable efforts to find a new tenant, and the amount you owe is reduced by rent the landlord collects or reasonably could have collected. Returning keys and documenting the condition of the unit can help limit disputes.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.