ESA Letter in Illinois, No Pet Fees Allowed

Yes. The Assistance Animal Integrity Act (310 ILCS 120), in effect since January 1, 2020, sets statewide rules for how housing providers handle requests for assistance animals, including emotional support animals: when they can ask for documentation, what documentation counts, when they can deny, and what they can charge.

No. 310 ILCS 120/10(f) says a housing provider may not require a resident to pay a pet-related deposit, pet fee or related pet assessment for an assistance animal, and may not require special liability insurance for it. You can still be charged for damage beyond normal wear and tear, the same as any resident.

Only when your disability-related need isn't apparent. Documentation must be in writing, come from a person with whom you have a therapeutic relationship, and describe your disability-related need for the animal (120/10(b)). The Act doesn't require a specific diagnosis, and the landlord may verify that the documentation is authentic.

Not on their own. Illinois requires documentation from someone you have a therapeutic relationship with, defined in 310 ILCS 120/5. A certificate or registration bought online, without a real evaluation, is not that.

A housing provider may ask you to use a standardized form, but it may not deny your request solely because you didn't use it (120/10(a)).

If it would be an undue financial and administrative burden or fundamentally alter operations, or if an individualized assessment based on reliable objective evidence shows the specific animal is a direct threat, causes substantial damage, or has a pattern of uncontrolled behavior you haven't corrected, and no other accommodation would reduce the risk (120/10(c)).

Someone with a therapeutic relationship with you, typically an Illinois-licensed psychologist, licensed clinical professional counselor, licensed clinical social worker, psychiatrist, APRN or physician who has evaluated you.

Since May 22, 2026, HUD reviews untrained ESAs case by case at the federal level. The Assistance Animal Integrity Act and the Illinois Human Rights Act are state laws, enforced by the Illinois Department of Human Rights, so they continue to apply.

No. Illinois's public-access law for service animals (775 ILCS 30/3) and the ADA don't cover emotional support animals.

Under 14 CFR Part 382, airlines at ORD, MDW and other Illinois airports may treat an ESA as a pet. Check fees, carrier size and cabin limits before booking. A task-trained psychiatric service dog still flies as a service animal.

With the Illinois Department of Human Rights within one year of the incident, or with HUD within one year. In Chicago and Cook County, local human rights agencies may also take complaints. A private Fair Housing Act lawsuit can be filed within two years.

No. The provider decides after evaluating you, and writes a letter only if an ESA is appropriate.