Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Illinois

You will need someone to review the lease and any related documents, such as a check-in inspection sheet that exists and identifies the items that the landlord promised to address and when... If this is a matter of some code violation, you can possibly contact the local building department. But it doesn't look like Waukegan has a tenants' rights ordinance that may add some protection for you -- but check with the city attorney or local tenant attorney who may know if something is being proposed, and with a local tenants' rights organization. Worst case is if these are not code violations and they are bothersome your only recourse may be to sue the landlord if you actually go ahead and fix anything (after giving notice and opportunity to the landlord) but beware the lease may not protect you and of course if you make waves it could come back at you or backfire on you if there's nothing in writing.

Send him 14 day notice letter to fix problems making unit inhabitable, then you can fix problems yourself and deduct from rent and have a defense if he ever comes back for eviction notice. This may lead to future problems. Hire an attorney and have him right letter this will usually get something moving.