Immigrant Tenant Protection Act: Can My Landlord Evict Me Because I'm an Immigrant?

In Illinois, under the Immigrant Tenant Protection Act, landlords cannot threaten or evict tenants because of their immigration status (actual or perceived).

• Landlords cannot use your immigration status to intimidate you or to force you to move.
• Your landlord may not threaten to call ICE, increase your rent, evict you, or shut off utilities for exercising your rights.
• You have the right to live in a safe, reasonably maintained home, and to ask for repairs.

What if the landlord is evicting me for multiple reasons, including my immigration status?

This is still legal. The law says that landlords may not evict tenants based “solely or in part” on their immigration or citizenship status. So, the landlord can start the eviction process by giving the tenant an eviction notice if the tenant does not pay rent (5-day notice), violates the lease (10-day notice), or does not move out after the landlord gives a notice of nonrenewal.

What else are landlords allowed to do?

• Landlords can ask for information or documentation to verify the financial qualifications of a prospective tenant.
• Landlords can comply with subpoenas, warrants, court orders, or any legal obligation under federal, state, or local law.

What are my options if I think the landlord is violating the this law?

• Contact an attorney. Call Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) at 312-427-0701.
• Sue the landlord for money to pay for any damages that happened, an additional $2,000 for each incident, and money to pay for your lawyer.
• Defend yourself in an eviction.