Evanston, Ill., City Code § 5 § 5-3-12-1
LOCKOUTS PROHIBITED (Evanston Housing Regulations)
Operative Text
It is unlawful for any housing provider or any person acting at the housing provider's direction to knowingly oust or dispossess or attempt to oust or dispossess any tenant from a dwelling unit without authority of law, by plugging, changing, adding or removing any lock or latching device; or by blocking any entrance into said unit; or by removing any door or window from said unit; or by interfering with the services to said unit, including, but not limited to, electricity, gas, hot or cold water, plumbing, heat, telephone service, or internet service; or by removing a tenant's personal property from said unit; or by the removal or incapacitating of appliances or fixtures, except for the purpose of making necessary repairs; or by the use of force or threat of violence, injury or force to a tenant's person or property; or by any other act rendering a dwelling unit or any part thereof or any personal property located therein inaccessible or uninhabitable.
Under Evanston, Ill., City Code § 5-3-12-1, it is unlawful for a housing provider—or anyone acting on their behalf—to remove or displace a tenant from a dwelling unit without legal authority. The prohibition covers a wide range of conduct, including changing locks, blocking entrances, removing doors or windows, cutting off utilities such as electricity, gas, heat, or internet service, removing a tenant's personal property, or using force or threats. Any act that renders a unit or its contents inaccessible or uninhabitable without a lawful basis falls within this rule.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Evanston, Ill., City Code § 5-3-12-1 makes self-help evictions illegal, meaning compliant housing providers rely exclusively on court-authorized processes to regain possession of a unit. Operators generally ensure that locks, utilities, appliances, and access points remain intact and functional throughout a tenancy unless a court order directs otherwise or repairs are genuinely necessary. Maintaining clear documentation of any repair work that temporarily affects unit access or services helps demonstrate that actions were not taken to oust a tenant.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Evanston, Ill., City Code § 5-3-12-1 gives tenants protection against a broad range of lockout tactics—from lock changes and utility shutoffs to removal of personal property or use of threats—carried out without legal authority. If a housing provider engages in any of these prohibited acts, a tenant may have grounds to raise the violation as a defense in court, file a complaint with the City of Evanston, or seek assistance from a local tenant-rights organization. Documenting the conduct (photos, written communications, dates) is generally considered useful when pursuing any of these paths.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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