My question involves a roommate in the State of: Illinois

Ok, Here's the deal. When we were looking for apartments it was myself, my brother, and my boyfriend at the time. We found an apartment all signed the lease. Well, two months into the lease my boyfriend and i had had some minor arguements but he decided that he wanted to break up with me because my tumor was "ruining all his fun" and because I'm "just a dead girl anyways." (I have been battling a spinal tumor which is why we thought it would be ok for him to move in to help out more.) Well, that's not a valid reason to move out and completely break the lease! I've been patient in trying to give him time to pay back the 2 months rent for when he was there plus utilities and the rental truck fee. Long story short, He is blowing me off completely. He keeps telling me his check is "spoken for."

So, here's my question. I'm getting my paperwork in order to take him to small claims, what are my rights under the law with a SIGNED lease agreement that lasts until next July?? I just have been hearing that he could be held responsible for the remainder of the lease, is that true?? I just want to know all the facts before I fill out the paperwork. Please, please ANY help will be great!!!

ALSO!!! He has left his things here until this day. He will NOT come and get them. And they're not going anywhere because I don't want to get in trouble for removing his property but I feel if he's not going to pay us back and his stuff is here and it's really really in the way I'm taking furniture, dressers, tv's in our closets, nightstands in our closets. It's not fair to me or my brother to have to store his belongings because he doesn't want to come and get them. What are my rights here as well??

And it does have to come down to small claims because everytime we try to talk about repayment he calls me over and over and over telling me he wished my tumor was cancer so I could die already, screaming HANDICAP over and over into my voicemail. I just can't deal with it any longer and it's time to move on.