Security deposits

Chicago has some of the strongest deposit protections in the country. A landlord who breaks these rules can owe you twice your deposit.

When you pay

Your landlord must give you a receipt.
The deposit must be kept in a federally insured, interest-bearing account at an Illinois bank, separate from the landlord's own money.
Within 14 days, your landlord must tell you in writing which bank holds it.

If your landlord holds your deposit for more than 6 months, they owe you interest every year. The City sets the rate each year.

To keep any of your deposit for damage, your landlord must give you an itemized list of the damage, with costs and receipts, within 30 days.
The rest of your deposit and interest must be returned within 45 days.
If your landlord doesn't follow these rules, you can sue for two times your deposit plus interest.

A deposit comes back. A security deposit, pet deposit or key deposit is returned at move-out, minus itemized damage (or, for keys, if you return them).
A fee usually doesn't. A move-in fee or pet fee is a one-time charge, and the landlord can't use it to cover damage.
What it's called on your lease matters. If the lease says pet deposit, it's refundable; if it says pet fee, it usually isn't.
Track each one under Deposits and move-in fees, so you know what should come back.

Tip: Take dated photos of every room on move-in and move-out day.

Source: Chicago Municipal Code 5-12-080, 5-12-081