ESA Letter Chicago: How to Get It and ESA Laws in Chicago
Written by: Ivana Crnec, DVM - Updated:May 16, 2025 
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
- What is the Importance of ESA Letters for Chicago Residents?
- Why Get an Emotional Support Animal in Chicago?
- Is there an Official Registration for ESAs in Chicago?
- Are ESA Letters the Same for All Cities in Illinois?
- How to Get an ESA Letter in Chicago?
- What are the Advantages of Getting an ESA Letter in Chicago through CertaPet?
- Do ESA Letters in Chicago need to be Renewed Annually?
- What are the Requirements for Getting an ESA Letter in Chicago?
- Are ESA Letters Valid in Chicago only if Issued by a Licensed Professional within the State?
- Are there Scams in ESA Letters in Chicago?
- What are the Specific Emotional Support Animal Laws in Chicago?
- Is Getting an ESA Letter Online Legal in Chicago?
- Are Landlords Required to Accommodate ESAs of Tenants in Chicago?
- Can ESA be a Service Dog in Chicago?
- Are Emotional Support Animals Allowed in Public Places in Chicago?
An ESA letter in Chicago is an official document confirming an individual’s need for an emotional support animal and granting it legal ESA status. An emotional support animal (ESA) is any pet that provides comfort, companionship, and a sense of safety to the owner through its presence. Various animal species qualify as ESAs. Obtaining a written and signed ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) in Illinois state is the sole condition for owning an ESA in Chicago. An ESA letter in Chicago protects emotional support animals under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). The FHA states that landlords must provide ESAs with reasonable accommodations. A Chicago emotional support animal is not protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)*, which are exclusive to service animals. State-specific and local emotional support animal Chicago laws do not exist. ESAs rely on federal regulations for protection. Ensuring legal compliance involves a valid ESA letter no older than 12 months.
What is the Importance of ESA Letters for Chicago Residents?
The importance of ESA letters for Chicago residents is ensuring law compliance and protection under state and federal regulations.
A valid ESA letter in Illinois prevents discrimination against individuals coping with emotional and mental health disabilities and confirms an animal’s official ESA status.
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects emotional support animals federally. Laws like the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)* and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) do not apply to ESAs.
The FHA ensures owners with valid ESA letters fair housing accommodation regardless of local pet policies restrictions, and ESA owners are exempt from paying pet-related fees. ESAs in public spaces, workplaces, and transportation depend on local policies.
An ESA letter in Chicago must be issued by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) or clinician based in Illinois and renewed every 12 months to ensure legal compliance.
Get Your ESA Letter TodayWhy Get an Emotional Support Animal in Chicago?
Get an emotional support animal in Chicago for personal mental and emotional benefits. ESAs aid owners through physical presence and support, comfort, and companionship.
Emotional support animals do not require special training and a variety of animal species are eligible to act as ESAs.
Every Chicago emotional support animal is protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), but the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)* do not apply to ESAs.
An emotional support animal is accepted as a means to treat an owner’s mental condition. “ESAs may facilitate mental health recovery and related benefits for persons with serious mental illness (SMI),” says a study, “Exploring Benefits of Emotional Support Animals (ESAs): A Longitudinal Pilot Study with Adults with Serious Mental Illness (SMI),” published in the Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin in 2022.
LMHPs are authorized to prescribe an ESA in Chicago as part of a holistic treatment plan for emotional and mental disabilities.
Qualifying conditions to obtain an emotional support animal in Chicago include phobias, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, autism, bipolar disorders, age-related cognitive decline, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Is there an Official Registration for ESAs in Chicago?
No, there is no official registration for ESAs in Chicago. Illinois does not require owners to register emotional support animals. National ESA databases and registries do not exist.
Obtaining an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional is the sole condition to get an ESA in Chicago.
Free or suspect services, such as emotional support animal registration in Illinois, are a common marketing tactic used by fraudulent ESA providers.
Get Your ESA Letter TodayAre ESA Letters the Same for All Cities in Illinois?
Yes, ESA letters are the same for all cities in Illinois. The state of Illinois does not have specific ESA laws, and emotional support animals are protected by federal regulations.
An emotional support animal letter in Illinois is a standardized and official document. All Illinois ESA letters are identical.
ESA letters in the state are issued by mental health professionals licensed in Illinois and are valid for 12 months. An ESA letter in Chicago is always written on the LMHP’s official letterhead.
How to Get an ESA Letter in Chicago?
The instructions on how to get an ESA letter in Chicago are given below.
- Understand the ESA Letter’s Purpose. The ESA letter is an official document confirming the animal’s status and grants protections under state and federal laws.
- Consult a LMHP or Use an Online ESA Service. Visit a mental health professional in person or contact one via an online ESA provider.
- Undergo Evaluation by a LMHP. Schedule an online or in-person appointment with a mental health professional to evaluate and designate approval for an ESA.
- Receive a Valid ESA Letter. Acquire the ESA letter in a printable, PDF format or request a hard copy delivered to a home address.
- Understand ESA Coverage Limitations. The ESA letter ensures FHA protection. Landlords have the right to inspect ESA letters but must not inquire about any diagnosis.
- Keep the ESA Letter Up-to-date. Renew the ESA letter annually to ensure ongoing compliance.
Get an ESA letter Chicago through CertaPet in three steps. First, complete a simple pre-screening test. Second, schedule a mental health evaluation with an Illinois-licensed health professional. Third, receive a soft or hard copy of the ESA letter.
What are the Advantages of Getting an ESA Letter in Chicago through CertaPet?
The advantages of getting an ESA letter in Chicago through CertaPet are listed below.
- Convenient Application Process: The process of getting an ESA letter via CertaPet includes three well-guided steps, such as pre-screening, LMHP consultation, and ESA letter approval.
- Competitive Prices: Building a network of licensed health professionals increases the end-user price, but CertaPet offers affordable prices and does not charge premium fees.
- Fast Turnaround Times: CertaPet ensures reasonably fast consultation, ESA approval, and letter delivery. The entire process takes several business days.
- Valid ESA Documentation: Get an ESA letter online via CertaPet with all documents written and signed by LMHPs that follow federal and local laws.
- Protected ESA Benefits: CertaPet’s law-compliant ESA letters ensure ESA protection under federal regulations, including the Fair Housing Act (FHA).
Quick and Easy Process for ESA Letters
A quick online screening test determines whether an ESA is a good fit for the applicant. The test is free of charge and takes only a few minutes.
CertaPet automatically searches for a mental health professional licensed in Texas with whom a patient will conduct their teleconsultations from the comfort of your own home.
The CertaPet ESA letter provided by the LMHP is accessible online or is mailed directly to your address.
Do ESA Letters in Chicago need to be Renewed Annually?
Yes, ESA letters in Chicago need to be renewed annually. ESA owners are required to keep valid ESA letters at all times, particularly when seeking access to services such as accommodations, public places, or transportation.
Renewing an ESA letter in Chicago is simple. Online ESA providers enable ESA letter renewals via telehealth platforms. ESA owners are able to request renewals up to one month in advance. Or patients can visit their regular therapist to get an ESA letter renewal after a year evaluation.
What are the Requirements for Getting an ESA Letter in Chicago?
The requirements for getting an ESA letter in Chicago are a qualifying mental or emotional disability with a LMHP recommending an emotional support animal as part of treatment.
Panic attacks, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, bipolar disorders, autism, schizophrenia, phobias, panic attacks, and age-related cognition problems are qualifying conditions for an ESA.
Chicago residents are required to consult and obtain approval from health professionals licensed in Illinois. Approved candidates receive ESA letters as confirmation of need for an emotional support animal.
Are ESA Letters Valid in Chicago only if Issued by a Licensed Professional within the State?
Yes, ESA letters are valid in Chicago only if issued by a licensed professional within the state. Illinois-licensed mental health professionals, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, and physicians, are permitted to issue ESA letters.
Consult an online board and verify the mental health professional’s license number to ensure they are authorized to work in Illinois.
Proceed with the ESA letter provider only if the information is verified. Schedule an evaluation with the LMHP to get approved for an emotional support animal.
The LMHP approves any mentally or emotionally disabled candidate who receives an emotional support animal.
Illinois newcomers are permitted to keep their old ESA letters, but all letters must be renewed in the state upon expiration.
Get Your ESA Letter TodayAre there Scams in ESA Letters in Chicago?
Yes, there are scams in ESA letters in Chicago. Fraudulent ESA letter providers operate in all states, including Illinois.
Only engage with legitimate and verified ESA providers, like CertaPet. CertaPet is a reliable and law-compliant ESA provider with a network of mental health professionals licensed in all US states.
The instructions on how to avoid scams in ESA letters in Chicago are given below.
- Verify the ESA Service Provider. Confirm the authenticity and credibility of the online ESA service by studying recent user reviews and feedback.
- Inspect the ESA Letter. An ESA letter must be written on the LMHP’s official letterhead and display information about the clinician. The letter confirms the ESA’s need but does not disclose the patient’s diagnosis.
- Compare Prices. Collaborating with licensed professionals is expensive. ESA providers advertising unusually cheap or free ESA letters are likely to be fake.
- Ignore Extended Offers. ESA letters in Illinois and other states are valid for one year. Fraudulent ESA providers often offer ESA letters for over 12 months.
- Avoid Approval Shortcuts. Consulting a LMHP takes several days but is mandatory. Online ESA services offering instant ESA letters or letters without consultation are not legally valid.
- Decline Gifts or Free Services. Fake ESA services lure clients by offering gifts, such as ESA paraphernalia (vests, ID tags) and free ESA certification or registration.
What are the Specific Emotional Support Animal Laws in Chicago?
The ESA laws for Chicago are the same as other Illinois cities. Chicago and Illinois do not have specific ESA regulations and operate under federal laws.
Federal ESA laws in Chicago are listed below.
- Chicago ESA Housing Laws: The Fair Housing Act (FHA) obliges landlords to provide reasonable accommodations to ESAs. The FHA overrules existing no-pet policies and exempts ESA owners from paying pet-related fees and rent.
- Chicago ESA Employment Laws: Illinois ESA laws do not mandate employers to allow ESAs in workplaces. Some employers accept ESAs if they are trained, have ESA letters, and boost their owners’ productivity at work.
- Chicago ESA Laws for Public Places: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not protect emotional support animals. ESAs are permitted in public places with pet-friendly policies or those accepting ESAs with valid documentation.
- Chicago ESA Travel Laws: The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)* and associated emotional support animal laws do not oblige airlines to accept ESAs. Many airlines have pet-friendly policies and accept ESAs free or at additional costs.
Is Getting an ESA Letter Online Legal in Chicago?
Yes, getting an ESA letter online is legal in Chicago. Illinois residents have the right to apply for ESA letters in person or online.
Consulting a LMHP and getting approved is the primary requirement for obtaining an ESA. Illinois state does not mandate whether the consultation must be completed physically or virtually.
Many ESA applicants prefer the online method because it is time-saving and convenient. Online ESA providers facilitate the process via their telehealth platforms through phone or video calls.
Exercise caution when choosing an online ESA service. Many providers operate scam services and offer fake ESA letters.
Passing off regular pets as ESAs is not illegal in Illinois. Fake ESA letters, however, do not ensure protection under state and federal laws.
Get Your ESA Letter TodayAre Landlords Required to Accommodate ESAs of Tenants in Chicago?
Yes, landlords are required to accommodate ESAs of tenants in Chicago. Landlords must accommodate ESAs per the Fair Housing Act even if the property has a no-pet policy and cannot charge additional pet fees. The Fair Housing Act waives breed and size restrictions as well.
Certain properties are exempt from the FHA. Examples include single-family homes rented or sold exclusively by the owner, owner-occupied dwellings with fewer than four units, and houses owned by private clubs or religious organizations.
Landlords have the right to deny ESAs if they cause property damage, misbehave, endanger other tenants, or pose undue financial or administrative hardships.
ESA owners are advised to request official rejection letters if denied reasonable accommodation. The letters support a complaint filed with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the case of an unlawful rejection.
Can ESA be a Service Dog in Chicago?
No, an ESA cannot be a service dog in Chicago. Service animals require extensive training and are able to assist their owners with specific daily tasks and activities (e.g. seeing dogs for blind or visually impaired people). Dogs and miniature horses are the only two species allowed to act as service animals.
Emotional support animals do not require training and benefit their owners through their physical presence thus offering comfort and companionship to alleviate certain symptoms of emotional and mental health conditions.
ESA dogs are eligible to be service dogs in Chicago after completing necessary training and receiving official certification.
Are Emotional Support Animals Allowed in Public Places in Chicago?
Yes, emotional support animals are allowed in public places in Chicago if the spaces have pet-friendly policies or allow ESAs.
Public places are not required to accept ESAs universally under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Any ESA access to public spaces depends on the place’s discretion, while service animals enjoy protection under the ADA.
Chicago is among the most pet-friendly cities in the United States. The city hosts numerous events for pets and has many pet-welcoming restaurants, parks, and shopping centers.
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David Brock1 reviews US
I did my research before deciding to go with Certapet for my ESA and PSD. Certapet was definitely the right decision. The website was very easy to use. The consultation and certification was also very well organized. I have been using Certapet for 6 years now and will continue to use them in the future. I highly reccomend Certapet to all pet owners seeking ESA and PSD help.
Lauren13 reviews US
I've had a fantastic experience with Certapet! I needed my PSD letter updated due to a change of state, and Certapet made the process incredibly smooth and straightforward. Overall, I highly recommend Certapet to anyone seeking an ESA or PSD letter. They make a potentially stressful situation smooth and efficient, and I'm grateful for their service.
Kbr Tuncer13 reviews
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I'm really impressed with how smooth and professional the entire process was. They assisted me at every step and eased my concerns. I must say Laura was exceptionally kind and friendly, asking all the right questions and really listening to me. I received my letter and I'm absolutely delighted that I chose CertaPet. A big thank you to Laura and the whole CertaPet team!
Emily Pinley5 reviews★ ★ ★ ★ ★
They made the process of getting my Great Dane certified so simple and fast! My therapist was wonderful and I was able to get all my paperwork in the same day. I was approved to lease because of the ability to get my doggo certified. Thank you!
Billie Sue Coleman1 reviews★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I am so appreciative to having one location go to for my Service Dog support. I love the in depth evaluation process, supportive staff and supplies available to people seeking a service animal. It was an entirely new experience for me and Certapet has made it much easier with my anxiety. Thank you!
David Brock1 reviews
I did my research before deciding to go with Certapet for my ESA and PSD. Certapet was definitely the right decision. The website was very easy to use. The consultation and certification was also very well organized. I have been using Certapet for 6 years now and will continue to use them in the future. I highly reccomend Certapet to all pet owners seeking ESA and PSD help.
Lauren13 reviews
I've had a fantastic experience with Certapet! I needed my PSD letter updated due to a change of state, and Certapet made the process incredibly smooth and straightforward. Overall, I highly recommend Certapet to anyone seeking an ESA or PSD letter. They make a potentially stressful situation smooth and efficient, and I'm grateful for their service.
Kbr Tuncer13 reviews★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I'm really impressed with how smooth and professional the entire process was. They assisted me at every step and eased my concerns. I must say Laura was exceptionally kind and friendly, asking all the right questions and really listening to me. I received my letter and I'm absolutely delighted that I chose CertaPet. A big thank you to Laura and the whole CertaPet team!
Emily Pinley5 reviews★ ★ ★ ★ ★
They made the process of getting my Great Dane certified so simple and fast! My therapist was wonderful and I was able to get all my paperwork in the same day. I was approved to lease because of the ability to get my doggo certified. Thank you!
Billie Sue Coleman1 reviews★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I am so appreciative to having one location go to for my Service Dog support. I love the in depth evaluation process, supportive staff and supplies available to people seeking a service animal. It was an entirely new experience for me and Certapet has made it much easier with my anxiety. Thank you!