In this case, the trial court found that Ikari and Xue were entitled to a return of the remainder of their security deposit that was wrongfully withheld by Mason. The trial court found that Mason had previously returned the undisputed portion of the security deposit to Ikari and Xue. Upon finding that Mason acted in bad faith, the trial court correctly awarded Ikari and Xue double the amount of the security deposit wrongfully withheld by Mason and remaining due, owing, payable, and justly owed. We hold that the trial court did not err in calculating damages. The trial court denied the petition for attorney fees on the basis that Ikari and Xue did not expend any money for attorney fees in that they were provided legal representation without charge through prepaid legal services available to students of Northern Illinois University by the Students' Legal Assistance Office, a program funded through the allocation of student fees.
Issues involving the application of a statute are subject to de novo review.
People ex rel. 306 Ill. App. The Act clearly and unambiguously requires a trial court to hold a lessor liable for a lessee's reasonable attorney fees upon a finding that the lessor acted in bad faith in providing the itemized statement. Whether an attorney charges a fee is not a basis upon which to deny attorney fees. 86 Ill. App.