Navigating Assistance Animal Approval in Illinois: A Simple Guide

The Fair Housing Act and the Illinois Assistance Integrity Act are two important laws that protect tenants with disabilities.

Baseline: Is it a Service Animal?

• If the disability is clear, and it's a service animal, the request should be approval approved.
• If the disability isn't apparent, the landlord can ask:
  • Is the animal required because of a disability?
  • What work or tasks has the animal been trained to do?

Steps to Evaluate a Requested Accommodation:

1. Has the person requested a reasonable accommodation?
   • Yes: Move to the next question (#2).
   • No: The housing provider isn't required to grant something that hasn't been requested.
2. Does the person have an observable disability or information suggesting a disability?
   • Yes: Move to question #4 to check the connection between the disability and the animal.
   • No: Continue to the next question (#3).
3. Has the person provided information supporting their disability?
   • Yes: Continue to the next question (#4).
   • No: The landlord doesn't need to say yes unless the tenant gives information later.
4. Does the information support that the animal works or helps the disability?

• Yes: Continue to the next question (#5).
• No: The landlord doesn't need to say yes, but should give the tenant a chance to provide more info. Helpful resource is Guidance on Documenting an Individual’s Need for Assistance Animals in Housing.

5. Is the animal commonly kept in households?
   • Yes: Approve the accommodation.
   • No: The housing provider can deny the request. There are some rare exceptions.

Additional Notes:

• Common household animals should be allowed: dogs, cats, fish, turtle, hamster, and small birds.
• Unique animals can considered if there's very strong proof of a disability-related need. A doctor's note is helpful. Unique animals include reptiles (other than turtles), barnyard animals, monkeys, and kangaroos.
• It is good practice is for the landlord to decide promptly, typically within 10 days.
• Reasonable accommodations may be necessary for unique animals in specific situations.
  • Example 1: A monkey is trained to perform tasks for a person with paralysis from a spinal cord injury. The monkey can get water from the fridge, unscrew the cap, insert a straw, and hand the bottle to the individual. The monkey can also turn on and off lights and retrieve requested items. There is a disability-related need because a monkey can use its hands but a service dog can't.
  • Example 2: Allergies prevent a person from using a dog, so a different animal is trained.

If a landlord goes through these steps and denies the request, check out potential reasons and how to respond.