Understanding Tenant Rights: Beginner's Guide to Housing Discrimination in Cook County
Fair Housing means the right for a person to live where they choose to, free from discrimination. Fair housing laws cover ALL housing, regardless of ownership.
The Cook County Human Rights Ordinance prohibits discrimination based on race, sex, color, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, and source of income. In addition to the Fair Housing Act, Cook County passed the Just Housing Amendment, which prohibits landlords from using a person's criminal history as a reason to deny them housing.
Housing discrimination is a problem that affects many people in Cook County. For examples of examples of housing discrimination, click here.
Here are several articles that provide more information on discrimination for tenants in Cook County:
- Source of Income discrimination: A landlord cannot discriminate based on whether the tenant receives governmental assistance like a housing voucher.
- Familial and parental status discrimination: A landlord cannot deny housing because a tenant has children or is pregnant. This type of discrimination is illegal under both federal and local laws.
- Sex discrimination: A landlord cannot discriminate based off sex and real or perceived gender identity or sexual orientation.
- Disability: A landlord cannot discriminate based on disability and must provide reasonable accommodations.
- Just Housing Amendment: A landlord cannot discriminate based on prior criminal history.
- Veterans: A landlord cannot discriminate based upon military status.
A tenant has several options when they believe that they have been the victim of housing discrimination. One important resource is the Cook County Commission on Human Rights, which investigates claims of discrimination and can help a tenant file a complaint.
By understanding your rights and taking action when necessary, you can help ensure that everyone has access to safe and affordable housing.
The above article provides information about legal issues but is not the same as legal advice. Legal advice is when a lawyer applies the law to your specific situation. The information in this article does not replace the advice or representation of a licensed attorney. Law Center for Better Housing cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information in this article and is not responsible for any consequences that may result from using it. You should consult with a licensed attorney to ensure the information in this article is appropriate for your specific situation. Using the information in this article does not create a relationship between Law Center for Better Housing and you as your attorney.