Evanston, Ill., City Code § 5 § 5-4-4-3
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE (Evanston Housing Regulations)
Operative Text
Within fourteen (14) days after receiving a receipted bill for the costs of relocation, the declarant must pay actual moving expenses to a maximum amount of three hundred dollars ($300.00) or one month's rent, whichever is higher, for any tenant of record and said tenant's family whose total income for the previous year was eighty percent (80%) or less of the appropriate Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area (PMSA) median income limit for the Cook County area for an individual or family. (PMSA data are available from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and are revised on an approximately annual basis). Failure of the tenant to tender the Federal or State tax return for the immediately preceding year upon demand shall constitute a waiver of the right to receive funds.
Under Evanston, Ill., City Code § 5-4-4-3, when a tenant qualifies based on income, the party responsible for displacement (the "declarant") is required to pay that tenant's actual moving costs, up to a ceiling of either $300 or one month's rent — whichever figure is greater. This obligation applies to tenants of record and their families whose prior-year total income was at or below 80% of the Cook County PMSA median income. The declarant has 14 days from receipt of a verified moving bill to make this payment, and a tenant who refuses to provide their most recent federal or state tax return upon request forfeits the right to receive these funds.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to Evanston, Ill., City Code § 5-4-4-3 generally track whether displaced tenants may qualify under the 80% PMSA median income threshold and request the tenant's most recent federal or state tax return to verify eligibility. Once a receipted bill for moving costs is received, compliant operators process payment within the 14-day window, issuing the higher of $300 or one month's rent as the cap on reimbursable expenses. Maintaining clear records of the bill receipt date, the income verification request, and the payment itself supports documentation of compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Evanston, Ill., City Code § 5-4-4-3 gives qualifying low-income tenants of record — those whose prior-year household income was 80% or less of the Cook County PMSA median — the right to have their actual moving expenses reimbursed by the declarant, up to the greater of $300 or one month's rent. To preserve this right, tenants should be aware that the provision requires them to provide their most recent federal or state tax return upon the declarant's request; declining to do so is treated as a waiver of the benefit. Tenants who believe this provision applies to their situation may wish to consult a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office for general information about how to document and present a claim under § 5-4-4-3.
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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