IL HB4768

Prohibits landlords from terminating tenancies, increasing rent, decreasing services, threatening lawsuits, or refusing to renew leases in retaliation for tenant protected activities.

Protects tenants who complain about code violations to government agencies, community organizations, or the landlord; organize tenant unions; testify in court proceedings; or exercise legal rights.

Provides tenants with defenses in retaliatory actions and allows civil damages of up to 2 months' rent or 2 times actual damages (whichever is greater) plus reasonable attorney's fees.

Allows landlords to avoid liability by proving a legitimate, non-retaliatory basis for their action or by showing the action began before the tenant engaged in protected activity.

Creates a rebuttable presumption of retaliation if a landlord takes action within one year of a tenant's protected activity, unless the protected activity occurred after the alleged retaliatory action.