Illinois Emergency Exit Lighting Rules for Renters

If you rent in Illinois, understanding local emergency exit lighting standards is important for your safety and peace of mind. These rules ensure clear exit paths during power outages or emergencies and are enforced for residential buildings across the state. This guide breaks down your rights, your landlord's responsibilities, and what to do if emergency lighting is missing or broken.

What Are Emergency Exit Lighting Standards in Illinois?

Emergency exit lighting ensures that in a fire or power outage, renters can safely find and use building exits. In Illinois, these standards are enforced through the state building codes and local ordinances. Lighting must be bright enough to illuminate exit paths and must stay on for at least 90 minutes during an outage. Landlords are responsible for providing, powering, and maintaining these lights in all apartment common areas, stairways, and exit routes.

Where Must Emergency Exit Lights Be Installed?

• In all exit corridors and stairwells
• Near exit doors and emergency egress routes
• In hallways or lobbies serving multiple dwelling units

Lighting must comply with the Illinois State Building Code, which adopts standards from the International Building and Fire Codes.^[1]

Landlord Responsibilities and Tenant Rights

Under the Illinois Residential Tenants' Right to Habitability and the Illinois Landlord and Tenant Act, your landlord must:

• Maintain working emergency exit lights at all times
• Promptly repair any damaged or missing emergency lighting
• Test emergency lighting regularly (usually every 30 days)

If exit lighting is broken or missing, you should notify your landlord in writing. If they do not fix it in a reasonable time, you can file a complaint or ask for an inspection from your local housing department.

Filing a Complaint: Forms and How-To

If your landlord does not repair emergency exit lighting after you give notice, you may need to take further action. Here are the main forms and what you should know:

• Request for Inspection (City-specific; e.g. Chicago Department of Buildings – Inspection Request): Use this form to request a city inspector visit your building and check emergency lighting. Example: You notice the hall exit sign is out, report it to your landlord with no response, and then submit this form.
• Complaint Form – Illinois Attorney General (Housing Complaint Form): Use if issues persist or involve broader safety problems. Example: Your landlord ignores repeated requests for repairs. Submit the form to begin an official investigation.

Official Tribunal Handling Tenant Complaints

In Illinois, tenant complaints about building safety are generally handled by your local city or county housing department. For legal disputes, renters may also file claims in their local Illinois Circuit Court (Small Claims division). For Chicago renters, the Chicago Department of Housing oversees rental property safety standards.^[2]

Tips for Renters: Staying Safe and Proactive

Emergency exit lighting requirements are just one part of Illinois' habitability standards. Addressing issues promptly helps keep you and your neighbors safe.

FAQ: Illinois Emergency Exit Lighting Standards

1. Who is responsible for maintaining emergency exit lighting in my apartment building? Landlords are legally responsible for installing and maintaining emergency exit lighting in all common areas and exit routes.
2. What should I do if emergency exit lighting is broken or missing? Notify your landlord in writing and keep a copy. If not fixed, request a city inspection or file an official complaint.
3. Does every apartment in Illinois need its own emergency lighting? No, only common areas, hallways, and exit routes require emergency lighting. Individual apartments do not unless local laws require it.
4. Can I withhold rent if the landlord doesn't fix emergency exit lighting? You may have some rights under Illinois law, but you must follow legal steps. Always speak to a legal aid group first.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Illinois Attorney General — Tenant Housing Rights
• Illinois Circuit Court – Small Claims
• Chicago Department of Buildings – Inspection Requests
• Chicago Department of Housing

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1. See Illinois Building Code via the International Code Council for Illinois.
2. For legal disputes, see Illinois Landlord and Tenant Act and specific local housing agencies.

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