Free Cook County RTLO Summary Disclosure
Cook County RTLO Summary disclosure required by Cook County Code 42-805 for every suburban Cook County lease. Effective June 1, 2021. Excludes Home Rule municipalities (Chicago, Evanston, Oak Park, Mount Prospect — use applicable city rules instead).
Cook County Code 42-801 et seq. (the Residential Tenant and Landlord Ordinance, or RTLO) became effective June 1, 2021. It governs most residential rentals in suburban Cook County, Illinois, but does NOT apply to Home Rule municipalities including Chicago, Evanston, Oak Park, and Mount Prospect. Under 42-805, the landlord must attach the County-prepared RTLO Summary to every lease and renewal. The Summary covers lockout prohibitions (42-813, no exceptions), late-fee caps ($10 per month for first $1,000 monthly rent + 5% above), security deposit rules, repair-and-deduct rights, and other tenant protections. Failure to provide gives the tenant the right to terminate the lease.
Cook County RTLO Summary at a Glance
Statute
Cook Cnty. Code 42-805
Effective Date
June 1, 2021
Frequency
Every Lease + Renewal
Late-Fee Cap
$10 + 5%
Cook County RTLO Coverage
Cook County RTLO (Code 42-801 et seq.) covers most residential rentals in suburban Cook County, IL. It explicitly excludes Home Rule municipalities (Chicago, Evanston, Oak Park, Mount Prospect). Cook County Code 42-805 requires landlords to attach the County-prepared Summary to each lease. Failure entitles the tenant to terminate; the tenant must first notify the landlord and give 2 days to cure (provide the Summary).
How to Use the Cook County RTLO Summary
Identify when the disclosure is required
Identify when the disclosure is required: every suburban Cook County lease covered by the RTLO. Confirm the property is NOT in a Home Rule municipality (Chicago, Evanston, Oak Park, Mount Prospect, etc.). Confirm RTLO applies (not exempt as hotel, dormitory, etc.).
Prepare the notice
Obtain the County-prepared RTLO Summary from cookcountyil.gov/rtlo. The Summary is published in multiple languages by the Cook County Department of Human Rights and Ethics.
Serve the notice
Attach the Summary to every lease at signing and at every renewal. Provide to the tenant. Use this disclosure form as a transmittal acknowledgment.
Follow statutory timeline
Obtain tenant signature acknowledging receipt of the Summary. Retain in tenant file. Re-issue at every renewal — not just at initial signing.
Document the process
Comply with the RTLO substantive provisions: lockout prohibition (42-813), late-fee cap ($10/$1,000 + 5%), security deposit rules, repair-and-deduct rights, 60-day lease renewal notice, etc. The Summary disclosure is only one of many RTLO requirements.
Generate the Cook County Notice
Complete the fields below to generate a Cook County RTLO summary disclosure. Service should comply with Cook County Code 42-805 (attach to lease and renewal); retain proof of delivery.
Purpose of this Cook County disclosure
The RTLO Summary informs Cook County tenants of their RTLO-protected rights. Cook County RTLO is similar to Chicago RLTO but applies to suburban Cook County only. The Summary disclosure is part of broader RTLO compliance: landlords subject to the RTLO must also comply with the lockout prohibition, late-fee cap, security deposit rules, and other substantive provisions.
1. Parties & Property
From (Landlord / Property Manager)
To (Tenant)
2. Cook County RTLO Coverage
RTLO does NOT apply to Home Rule cities
If the property is in Chicago, Evanston, Oak Park, or Mount Prospect, use that city ordinance instead of Cook County RTLO. Confirm the property location before using this form.
3. Notice Content
4. Signature
About This Cook County Notice
The Cook County Residential Tenant and Landlord Ordinance (RTLO), codified at Cook County Code 42-801 et seq., became effective June 1, 2021. The lockout prohibition (42-813) was effective immediately upon passage in January 2021. The RTLO covers most residential rentals in suburban Cook County, Illinois, but explicitly excludes Home Rule municipalities: Chicago (covered by the Chicago RLTO instead), Evanston, Oak Park, Mount Prospect, and other home rule cities. Common exemptions from the RTLO: hotels and motels (unless occupied 32+ consecutive days with monthly rent), medical facilities, shelters, geriatric facilities, religious institutions, dormitories, fraternal orders. Cook County Code 42-805 requires landlords to attach the County-prepared RTLO Summary to every lease and renewal. The Summary is published by the Cook County Commission on Human Rights in multiple languages at cookcountyil.gov/rtlo. Failure to attach the Summary entitles the tenant to terminate the lease, after providing the landlord with notice and a 2-day cure right. The RTLO also includes substantive provisions: lockout prohibition (42-813), late-fee cap ($10 per month for first $1,000 + 5% above), security deposit rules (30-day return), repair-and-deduct rights, 60-day lease renewal notice. The Summary disclosure is one of many RTLO compliance obligations. Best practice: confirm property location, use the current County Summary, attach at every lease signing and renewal, obtain a signed acknowledgment, retain in tenant file, and ensure full RTLO substantive compliance.
Cook County Statutory Requirements
- Statute: Cook County Code 42-801 et seq. (RTLO), effective June 1, 2021
- Summary requirement: Cook County Code 42-805
- Apply to: most suburban Cook County leases
- Does NOT apply to: Chicago, Evanston, Oak Park, Mount Prospect (Home Rule cities)
- Frequency: initial lease signing AND every renewal
- Cure period: 2-day landlord cure right after tenant notice
- Late-fee cap: $10 per month for first $1,000 monthly rent + 5% on amount above
- Lockout prohibition: Cook County Code 42-813 (no exceptions; effective immediately on RTLO passage)
Delivery Methods
- Attached to written lease at initial signing
- Attached to renewal lease at every renewal
- Provided electronically — with tenant consent
- Retain signed acknowledgment
- Use current County-published Summary
Common Mistakes
- Using RLTO Summary (Chicago) instead of RTLO Summary (Cook County)
- Skipping the Summary at renewal
- Assuming RTLO applies to Chicago/Evanston/Oak Park/Mount Prospect — it does not
- No tenant acknowledgment
- Missing other RTLO requirements — Summary is one of many
- Not providing 2-day cure response after tenant notice
Best Practices
- Confirm property is in suburban Cook County — not Home Rule city
- Use current County-published RTLO Summary
- Bundle with every lease packet — new AND renewal
- Obtain tenant signature on receipt
- Retain in tenant file
- Comply with full RTLO — lockout, late fee, security deposit rules
- Respond promptly to any tenant Summary-missing notice (2-day cure right)
Bottom line
Cook County RTLO (Code 42-801 et seq., effective June 1, 2021) requires the County-prepared Summary at every suburban Cook County lease and renewal. Excludes Home Rule cities (Chicago, Evanston, Oak Park, Mount Prospect). Tenants get a 2-day cure right before termination. RTLO also caps late fees and prohibits lockouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Cook County RTLO Summary required?
Required for every suburban Cook County lease covered by the RTLO. The RTLO does NOT apply to Home Rule municipalities (Chicago, Evanston, Oak Park, Mount Prospect). Required at initial lease signing and at every renewal.
What must the Summary contain?
The disclosure must include the current County-prepared RTLO Summary obtained from cookcountyil.gov/rtlo. The Summary covers tenant rights including lockout prohibition, late-fee cap, security deposit rules, and repair-and-deduct rights.
How must the Summary be delivered?
Attach the Summary to the written lease at signing and at every renewal. Provide to the tenant. Best practice: obtain a signed tenant acknowledgment of receipt for the tenant file. Electronic delivery is permitted with tenant consent.
What are the landlord and tenant obligations?
Landlords must attach the Summary at initial signing AND every renewal. Tenants who do not receive the Summary may notify the landlord; the landlord has 2 days to cure. If the landlord fails to cure, the tenant may terminate the lease.
Which properties are exempt from the RTLO?
The RTLO does NOT apply to Home Rule municipalities including Chicago (use Chicago RLTO instead), Evanston, Oak Park, and Mount Prospect. The RTLO also exempts hotels and motels (unless 32+ consecutive days with monthly rent), medical facilities, shelters, geriatric facilities, religious institutions, dormitories, and fraternal orders.
What are common mistakes?
Common mistakes include using the Chicago RLTO Summary instead of the Cook County RTLO Summary, skipping the Summary at renewal, assuming RTLO applies to Home Rule cities (it does not), no tenant acknowledgment, and missing other RTLO substantive requirements.
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