Illinois Assistance Animal Requests Under 310 ILCS 120
Illinois is one of the few states with its own rulebook for assistance animal documentation. The Assistance Animal Integrity Act rewards genuine clinical care and shuts out certificate mills. Here is how it works in practice.
- be in writing;
- be made by a person with whom the individual has a therapeutic relationship; and
- describe the individual's disability-related need for the assistance animal.
How the Act Came to Govern Illinois Requests
A short history explains why Illinois renters still have a clear framework in 2026.
The Therapeutic Relationship Rule
The Act ties documentation to real care, provided in good faith and with actual knowledge of the disability and the need for the animal.
Does Your Documentation Meet Section 10(b)?
Tick what is true of the letter you have or plan to get. The result reflects the statute's wording, not legal advice.
Section 10(b) expects all three elements: writing, a therapeutic relationship and a described need.
Fees, Forms and Verification
Section 10 also sets practical limits on both sides.
No pet charges
No pet deposit, pet fee, pet assessment or special liability insurance. Actual damage beyond wear and tear can be charged.
Forms are optional
A provider may ask you to use its form but cannot deny a valid request just because you did not.
No diagnosis needed
The Act does not require documentation of a specific diagnosis.
More than one animal
A provider may ask for documentation showing the need for each animal, unless the need is apparent.
Verification allowed
Housing providers may verify that documentation is authentic.
Provider immunity
A housing provider is not liable for injuries caused by an assistance animal it permitted as an accommodation.
When an Illinois Provider May Say No
Section 10(c) limits denials, and rescinding an approval, to specific grounds.
Illinois Filing Deadlines
The Illinois Human Rights Act offers two paths for housing discrimination.
Illinois Evaluation Plans
An evaluation with a licensed clinician is what builds a real therapeutic relationship. Start free, then compare plans.
Illinois Questions, Clause by Clause
What is the Illinois Assistance Animal Integrity Act?
It is an Illinois law, 310 ILCS 120, in effect since January 1, 2020. It sets out when housing providers may ask for documentation about an assistance animal, what that documentation must include, and when a request may be denied.
What must an Illinois ESA letter include?
Under Section 10(b), documentation must be in writing, be made by someone with whom the person has a therapeutic relationship, and describe the person's disability-related need for the assistance animal. A specific diagnosis is not required.
Does an online ESA certificate count in Illinois?
No. The Act's definition of a therapeutic relationship excludes an entity that issues a certificate or similar document without conducting a meaningful assessment of the person's disability or need.
Can an Illinois landlord charge a pet deposit for an assistance animal?
No. A housing provider may not require a pet deposit, pet fee or related pet assessment, or special liability insurance for an assistance animal. The resident can be charged for actual damage beyond reasonable wear and tear.
When can an Illinois housing provider deny an assistance animal?
A provider may deny or rescind a documented request if it imposes an undue financial and administrative burden or a fundamental alteration, or if an individualized assessment finds reliable objective evidence that the specific animal poses a direct threat, causes substantial damage, or shows a pattern of uncontrolled behavior that is not corrected.
How long do I have to file a housing charge in Illinois?
A housing charge must be filed with the Illinois Department of Human Rights within one year of the last discriminatory act. A complaint can instead be filed in circuit court within two years.
Related Pages for Illinois
General information for Illinois residents, current as of September 2026, and not legal advice. Statute summaries are simplified; read 310 ILCS 120 for the full text. A clinical evaluation does not guarantee documentation. In a crisis, call or text 988.
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