Current RLTO is the floor.It includes some notice and tenant remedies, but no general just-cause requirement.
The choice before council
Current law, the stronger proposal, and the counterproposal are not the same thing.
RLTO means the current law, the Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance. PRO means the proposed Protecting Renters Ordinance. The FAIR Ordinance is the competing counterproposal.
PRO adds stronger protections.It would add just cause, clearer defenses, relocation help, and enforcement tools.
The FAIR Ordinance falls short.It leaves out or weakens several of the protections renters need most.
Adds or keeps a stronger protection
Limited or partial protection
Not included or weakened
| Protection | Current RLTO | Protecting Renters Ordinance | FAIR Ordinance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Just cause to end or refuse renewal of a tenancyA landlord must have a valid reason before forcing a move. | XNot required | ✓Adds it | XLeaves it out |
| Clear eviction defenses when a landlord violates the rulesTenants can raise notice, cause, or relocation violations in court. | ~Limited / implied | ✓Strongest | XRemoves existing defenses |
| Relocation help for no-fault displacementMoving assistance when renters are pushed out through no fault of their own. | XNot required | ✓Adds it | XLeaves it out |
| Tiered notice before rent increasesCurrent law requires 30, 60, or 120 days depending on how long the tenant has lived there. | ✓30 / 60 / 120 days | ✓Strengthens to 120 days | ~Keeps notice periods but weakens the remedy |
| A remedy when a landlord gives a late non-renewal noticeNotice only protects a renter when there is a consequence for ignoring it. | ✓Tenant may stay through the required notice period | ✓Keeps protections | XRemoves the post-notice remedy |
| Security deposit and junk-fee limitsCaps and transparency for upfront costs. | ~Some protections | ✓Stronger | ~Partial |
| Citywide rental registry and public enforcementA way to track rental units and repeat violations. | XNo registry | ✓Adds tools | ~More limited and unfunded |
| Codify a Chicago eviction-defense program.Helps renters get legal advice or representation when they are at risk of eviction. | XNo dedicated program | ✓Adds eviction-counsel program | XNo dedicated program |
Take action
Email your alderperson from your own inbox.
Choose your ward and priorities, review the draft, then open it in your own email service. Nothing you type is stored or sent by this website.
Review your message
Choose a ward to see the recipient.
To
Cc
Fill in your ward, name, and at least one identity checkbox to enable the email link.
If your browser does not open an email service, use Copy recipients and Copy message, then paste them into a new email.
Take action
Call your alderperson.
A personal call is a quick way to make your position clear. Ask the office to record your view on the FAIR Ordinance and the Protecting Renters Ordinance.
"I live in the ward and I am asking the alderperson to reject the FAIR Ordinance. It rolls back existing renter protections and leaves out just cause, meaningful eviction defenses, and funded enforcement. Please support stronger protections in the Protecting Renters Ordinance."