Nightmare Property Management

Location: Illinois

I recently signed a 12 month lease back in summer. I detected a gas leak within my first month of living there due to a faulty valve and unhooked gas stove. Fire department and Ameren was called to resolve the issue and placed a citation on the property management. I put in a work order for it as well to alert the management since it occurred over the weekend.

The maintenance person comes in the next day, starts repairs, and tightens my deadbolt because it’s loose facing the outside. He didn’t check to see if it would still operate, and so I am locked out. After going to the office and letting them know the problem, they refuse to help, saying I might just not being opening it correctly (???). After calling locksmiths, the non-emergency police department, and the office back with no reply, I had to break a window to get back in. My neighbors witnessed this and attempted to assist me getting back in the rental without any damaging property.

Fat forward to having to contact the city inspector, having 7 citations placed on the unit including a non operational smoke and carbon monoxide detector, I had to stay at a my partner’s place while the repairs occurred. They have tried charging me for the window now, claiming I was not locked out.

After I emailed them back showing I indeed had been, providing video evidence, they backtracked claiming to have offered assistance. They have taken money out of a check explicitly stating it was for rent, using it for the damage instead. They do not have anything written in the lease permitting them to do so, instead it would have to remain an outstanding charge/liquidate from the security deposit.

I have contacted the tenants union, the police department, the city, and now legal aide. Everything since the incident with the gas leak has been physically documented, including pictures and dates. I have a video of my check as well, stating it is only to be used for the rent of October. What are my options and how should I pursue this?