Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Illinois

Unless the town that the rental is located has a local ordinance covering the issue, Illinois is pretty much the Wild West when it comes to lease issues like this. The problem is that your logic is perfect; the landlord apparently isn't and doesn't give a hoot. As long as you get a receipt from the landlord for what the money is you're paying, at least you have a record. Get a rent receipt every month, to be honest. Somebody who quotes a "4:00Pm" rule is starting things out on a very nose-bent-out-of-shape kind of basis. If you can't reason with the landlord, well, you can't. You're lucky the deposits are as they are - for full houses some landlord want more security, especially from college students if this is typical in the area, and most likely the landlord got burned before. If your parents are willing to guaranty the lease, you may get somewhere, but not likely. Landlords love more signatures without giving up security. I would ask the landlord if there's any way he can cut you a break, but beware that could sour him or her too, thinking, hmm, here's someone who wants a break even before we get going.... Good luck!!!