Navigating the Illinois Safe Homes Act: What is a Credible Imminent Threat of Harm?

Under the Illinois Safe Homes Act, if a tenant or a household member is a victim of domestic or sexual violence, the tenant can end the lease early, even when the person causing harm is a member of the household, if:

• There is a credible imminent threat of harm; and
• The tenant gives the landlord written notice of the threat 3 days before or after they leave the home.

What is a “credible imminent threat”?

"Credible imminent threat" is a legal phrase for reasonable fear of harm. Some examples include:

• The person causing harm comes to their (or a household member’s) job, and they fear the person causing harm will come to their home next;
• A stalker stands across the street from their apartment;
• An abusive ex-boyfriend or girlfriend knows where they live; or
• The person is sexually assaulted on the premises, and the police have not caught the perpetrator.

What is “on the premises”?

“On the premises” means at the apartment, or on the building property. Some examples include:

• Inside the rental unit
• The laundry room
• Backyard
• Parking lot
• Hallways
• Front and back entrances to the property.