Paul Bernstein – Metropolitan Tenants Organization

Security Deposits are funds that belong to tenants and therefore landlords in Chicago, under the RLTO, must handle them very carefully. Getting a refund of your security deposit is what this chapter is all about…more

A couple of the many areas of law that are covered by the RLTO and of great benefit to tenants…more

Second of two parts of tips when renting an apartment in Chicago…more

Important tips on what to do when renting an apartment in Chicago - Part 1…more

A general description and overview of the RLTO…more

Chapter 1, an Introduction to the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance, provides an overview of how and why the RLTO came into existence in Chicago. It is only because attorney Harold Washington ran for election to…more

This is the preface to Paul Bernstein's book on "Chicago Tenants' Rights"…more

The Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance ("RLTO") provides many remedies for tenants, including the right to sue a landlord if the landlord: violates the security deposit provisions of the RLTO, or; retaliates…more

Notice to Produce documents as part of discovery in landlord and tenant case. …more

Notice of Deposition form as part of discovery in eviction case in Chicago landlord and tenant practice…more

Under the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance ("RLTO"), tenants are not only entitled to a JURY demand, but tenants may initiate DISCOVERY. Eviction actions and actions under the RLTO are NOT considered small…more

In Chicago eviction courts, the tenant need not file an answer unless required to do so by the Court. Most often, tenants' attorneys choose to file a responsive pleading (an Answer), and further allege Affirmative Defenses and…more

When the eviction case comes up 7-days after the Return Day and in another court-room, it is now and has been for some years, customary for the tenant/defendant, to be allowed 14-days to: "Move, answer or otherwise plead" to the…more

When a jury demand is filed, a copy of the filed jury demand is presented to the trial judge on the "Return Day" which is when eviction cases go to trial in Chicago. However, the Jury Demand causes the case to be continued for…more

A simple form, but important in Chicago Evictions, as the filing of a jury demand causes the eviction case to be continued automatically for one week to another court room instead of going to trial on the so-called "Return Day."…more