The law in plain English
Return deadline
Under 420 Ill. Comp. Stat. 46/20; 765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 710/1; 715/1 to 715/3, the deposit response usually has to be sent within 45 days of the move-out timeline described by the state rule.
Required notice
Illinois generally expects an itemized statement within 30 days and the deposit balance within 45 days after move-out.
This dispute type
Pet-related deposit disputes usually turn on proof. In Illinois, landlords still need to handle the refund and deduction notice correctly, and renters usually ask whether the charge reflects actual damage or just the landlord's assumption that pets always create extra cost.
Penalty leverage
If the withholding was wrongful or in bad faith, the exposure allowed under the statute is: You can recover up to two times the deposit amount as a penalty, plus court costs and attorney's fees