2023 Illinois Compiled Statutes › Chapter 775 - HUMAN RIGHTS › 775 ILCS 5/ - Illinois Human Rights Act. › Article 3 - Real Estate Transactions

(775 ILCS 5/Art. 3 heading)
ARTICLE 3.  
		REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS
(775 ILCS 5/3-101) (from Ch. 68, par. 3-101)
Sec. 3-101. Definitions. The following definitions are applicable strictly in the context of this Article:
(A) Real Property. "Real property" includes buildings, structures, real estate, lands, tenements, leaseholds, interests in real estate cooperatives, condominiums, and hereditaments, corporeal and incorporeal, or any interest therein.
(B) Real Estate Transaction. "Real estate transaction" includes the sale, exchange, rental or lease of real property. "Real estate transaction" also includes the brokering or appraising of residential real property and the making or purchasing of loans or providing other financial assistance:
(1) for purchasing, constructing, improving,     repairing or maintaining a dwelling; or
(2) secured by residential real estate.
(C) Housing Accommodations. "Housing accommodation" includes any improved or unimproved real property, or part thereof, which is used or occupied, or is intended, arranged or designed to be used or occupied, as the home or residence of one or more individuals.
(D) Real Estate Broker or Salesman. "Real estate broker or salesman" means a person, whether licensed or not, who, for or with the expectation of receiving a consideration, lists, sells, purchases, exchanges, rents, or leases real property, or who negotiates or attempts to negotiate any of these activities, or who holds oneself out as engaged in these.
(E) Familial Status. "Familial status" means one or more individuals (who have not attained the age of 18 years) being domiciled with:
(1) a parent or person having legal custody of such     individual or individuals; or
(2) the designee of such parent or other person     having such custody, with the written permission of such parent or other person.
The protections afforded by this Article against discrimination on the basis of familial status apply to any person who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody of any individual who has not attained the age of 18 years.
(F) Conciliation. "Conciliation" means the attempted resolution of issues raised by a charge, or by the investigation of such charge, through informal negotiations involving the aggrieved party, the respondent and the Department.
(G) Conciliation Agreement. "Conciliation agreement" means a written agreement setting forth the resolution of the issues in conciliation.
(H) Covered Multifamily Dwellings. As used in Section 3-102.1, "covered multifamily dwellings" means:
(1) buildings consisting of 4 or more units if such     buildings have one or more elevators; and
(2) ground floor units in other buildings consisting     of 4 or more units.
(I) Immigration Status. "Immigration status" means a person's actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status.
(Source: P.A. 103-232, eff. 1-1-24.)
(775 ILCS 5/3-102) (from Ch. 68, par. 3-102)
Sec. 3-102. Civil rights violations;  real estate transactions and other prohibited acts.  It
is a civil rights violation for an owner or any other person, or for a real estate broker or salesman,
because of unlawful discrimination, familial status, immigration status, source of income, or an arrest record, as defined under subsection (B-5) of Section 1-103, to:
(A) Transactions.  Refuse to engage in a real estate     transaction with a person or to discriminate in making available such a transaction;
(B) Terms.  Alter the terms, conditions or privileges     of a real estate transaction or in the furnishing of facilities or services in connection therewith;
(C) Offers. Refuse to receive or to fail to transmit     a bona fide offer in a real estate transaction from a person;
(D) Negotiation.  Refuse to negotiate a real estate     transaction with a person;
(E) Representations.  Represent to a person that real     property is not available for inspection, sale, rental, or lease when in fact it is so available, or to fail to bring a property listing to the person's  attention, or to refuse to permit the person to inspect real property;
(F) Publication of Intent.  Make, print, circulate,     post, mail, publish or cause to be made, printed, circulated, posted, mailed, or published any notice, statement, advertisement or sign, or use a form of application for a real estate transaction, or make a record or inquiry in connection with a prospective real estate transaction, that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on unlawful discrimination or unlawful discrimination based on familial status, immigration status, source of income, or an arrest record, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination;
(G) Listings.  Offer, solicit, accept, use or retain     a listing of real property with knowledge that unlawful discrimination or discrimination on the basis of familial status, immigration status, source of income, or an arrest record in a real estate transaction is intended.
(Source: P.A. 102-896, eff. 1-1-23; 103-232, eff. 1-1-24.)
(775 ILCS 5/3-102.1) (from Ch. 68, par. 3-102.1)
Sec. 3-102.1. Disability.
(A) It is a civil rights violation to refuse
to sell or rent or to otherwise
make unavailable or deny a dwelling to any buyer or renter because of a
disability of that buyer or renter, a disability of a person residing or intending
to reside in that dwelling after it is sold, rented or made available or
a disability of any person associated with the buyer or renter.
(B) It is a civil rights violation to alter the terms, conditions or privileges
of sale or rental of a dwelling or the provision of services or facilities
in connection with such dwelling because of a disability of a person with a disability
						
or a disability of any person residing or intending to reside in that dwelling
after it is sold, rented or made available, or a disability of any person associated
with that person.
(C) It is a civil rights violation:
(1) to refuse to permit, at the expense of the      person with a disability, reasonable modifications of existing premises occupied or to be occupied by such person if such modifications may be necessary to afford such person full enjoyment of the premises; except that, in the case of a rental, the landlord may, where it is reasonable to do so, condition permission for a modification on the renter agreeing to restore the interior of the premises to the condition that existed before modifications, reasonable wear and tear excepted.  The landlord may not increase for persons with a disability any customarily required security deposit.  However, where it is necessary in order to ensure with reasonable certainty that funds will be available to pay for the restorations at the end of the tenancy, the landlord may negotiate as part of such a restoration agreement a provision requiring that the tenant pay into an interest bearing escrow account, over a reasonable period, a reasonable amount of money not to exceed the cost of the restorations.  The interest in any such account shall accrue to the benefit of the tenant.  A landlord may condition permission for a modification on the renter providing a reasonable description of the proposed modifications as well as reasonable assurances that the work will be done in a workmanlike manner and that any required building permits will be obtained;
(2) to refuse to make reasonable accommodations in     rules, policies, practices, or services, when such accommodations may be necessary to afford such person equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling; or
(3) in connection with the design and construction of     covered multifamily dwellings for first occupancy after March 13, 1991, to fail to design and construct those dwellings in such a manner that:
(a) the public use and common use portions of         such dwellings are readily accessible to and usable by  persons with a disability;
(b) all the doors designed to allow passage into         and within all premises within such dwellings are sufficiently wide to allow passage by  persons with a disability in wheelchairs; and
(c) all premises within such dwellings contain         the following features of adaptive design:
(i) an accessible route into and through the             dwelling;
(ii) light switches, electrical outlets,             thermostats, and other environmental controls in accessible locations;
(iii) reinforcements in bathroom walls to             allow later installation of grab bars; and
(iv) usable kitchens and bathrooms such that             an individual in a wheelchair can maneuver about the space.
(D) Compliance with the appropriate standards of the Illinois Accessibility
Code for adaptable dwelling units (71 Illinois Administrative Code Section 400.350 (e)
1-6) suffices to satisfy the requirements of subsection (C)(3)(c).
(E) If a unit of local government has incorporated into its law the
requirements set forth in subsection (C)(3), compliance
with its law shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of that subsection.
(F) A unit of local government may review and approve newly constructed
covered multifamily dwellings for the purpose of making determinations as
to whether the design and construction requirements
of subsection (C)(3) are met.
(G) The Department shall encourage, but may not require, units of local
government to include in their existing procedures for the review and
approval of newly constructed covered multifamily dwellings, determinations
as to whether the design and construction of such dwellings are consistent
with subsection (C)(3), and shall provide technical
assistance to units of local government and other persons to implement the
requirements of subsection (C)(3).
(H) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require the Department
to review or approve the plans, designs or construction of all covered
multifamily dwellings to determine whether the design and construction of
such dwellings are consistent with the requirements of
subsection (C)(3).
(I) Nothing in subsections (E), (F), (G) or (H) shall be construed to
affect the authority
and responsibility of the Department to receive and
process complaints or otherwise engage in enforcement activities under
State and local law.
(J) Determinations by a unit of local government under subsections (E)
and (F) shall not be conclusive in enforcement proceedings under this Act
if those determinations are not in accord with the terms of this Act.
(K) Nothing in this Section requires that a dwelling be made available to
an individual whose tenancy would constitute a direct threat to the health
or safety of others or would result in substantial physical damage to the
property of others.
(Source: P.A. 95-668, eff. 10-10-07.)
(775 ILCS 5/3-102.5)
Sec. 3-102.5. Unlawful activity. The prohibition against the use of an arrest record under Section 3-102 shall not preclude an owner or any other person engaging in a real estate transaction, or a real estate broker or salesman, from prohibiting the tenant, a member of the tenant's household, or a guest of the tenant from engaging in unlawful activity on the premises.
(Source: P.A. 101-565, eff. 1-1-20.)
(775 ILCS 5/3-102.10)
Sec. 3-102.10. Third-party loan modification service provider.
(A) It is a civil rights violation for a third-party loan modification service provider, because of unlawful discrimination, familial status, immigration status, source of income, or an arrest record, to:
(1) refuse to engage in loan modification services;
(2) alter the terms, conditions, or privileges of     such services; or
(3) discriminate in making such services available,     including, but not limited to, by making a statement, advertisement, representation, inquiry,  listing, offer, or solicitation that indicates a preference or the intention to make such a preference in making such services available.
(B) For purposes of this Section,  "third-party loan modification service provider" means a person or entity, whether licensed or not, who, for or with the expectation of receiving consideration, provides assistance or services to a loan borrower to obtain a modification to a term of an existing real estate loan or to obtain foreclosure relief. "Third-party loan modification service provider" does not include lenders, brokers or appraisers of mortgage loans, or the servicers, subsidiaries, affiliates, or agents of the lender.
(Source: P.A. 102-362, eff. 1-1-22; 103-232, eff. 1-1-24.)
(775 ILCS 5/3-103) (from Ch. 68, par. 3-103)
Sec. 3-103. Blockbusting.  It is a civil rights violation for any
person to:
(A) Solicitation.  Solicit for sale, lease, listing     or purchase any residential real estate within this State, on the grounds of loss of value due to the present or prospective entry into the vicinity of the property involved of any person or persons of any particular race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, immigration status, source of income, or disability.
(B) Statements.  Distribute or cause to be     distributed, written material or statements designed to induce any owner of residential real estate in this State to sell or lease the owner's property because of any present or prospective changes in the race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, immigration status, source of income, or disability of residents in the vicinity  of the property involved.
(C) Creating Alarm.  Intentionally create alarm,     among residents of any community, by transmitting communications in any manner, including a telephone call whether or not conversation thereby ensues, with a design to induce any owner of residential real estate in this state to sell or lease the owner's property because of any present or prospective entry into the vicinity of the property involved of any person or persons of any particular race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, immigration status, source of income, or disability.
(Source: P.A. 102-896, eff. 1-1-23; 103-232, eff. 1-1-24.)
(775 ILCS 5/3-104.1) (from Ch. 68, par. 3-104.1)
Sec. 3-104.1. Refusal to sell or rent because a person has a guide,
hearing or support dog.  It is a civil rights violation for the
owner or agent of any housing accommodation to:
(A) refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona     fide offer, or to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny property to any blind or hearing impaired person or person with a physical disability because the blind or hearing impaired person or person with a physical disability has a guide, hearing, or support dog; or
(B) discriminate against any blind or hearing     impaired person or person with a physical disability in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental property, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection therewith, because the blind or hearing impaired person or person with a physical disability has a guide, hearing, or support dog; or
(C) require, because a blind or hearing impaired     person or person with a physical disability has a guide, hearing, or support dog, an extra charge in a lease, rental agreement, or contract of purchase or sale, other than for actual damage done to the premises by the dog.
(Source: P.A. 103-232, eff. 1-1-24.)
(775 ILCS 5/3-105) (from Ch. 68, par. 3-105)
Sec. 3-105. Restrictive covenants.
(A) Agreements.  Every provision in an oral agreement or a written instrument
relating to real property which purports to forbid or restrict the conveyance,
encumbrance, occupancy, or lease thereof on the basis of race, color, religion,
or national origin is void.
(B) Limitations.
(1) Every condition, restriction or prohibition, including
a right of entry or possibility of reverter, which directly or indirectly
limits the use or occupancy of real property on the basis of race, color,
religion, or national origin is void.
(2) This Section shall not apply to a limitation of use on the basis of
religion of real property held by a religious institution or organization
or by a religious or charitable organization operated, supervised, or controlled
by a religious institution or organization, and used for religious or charitable
purposes.
(C) Civil Rights Violations.  It is a civil rights violation to insert
in a written instrument relating to real property a provision that is void
under this Section or to honor or attempt to honor such a provision in the
chain of title.
(Source: P.A. 99-642, eff. 7-28-16.)
(775 ILCS 5/3-105.1)
Sec. 3-105.1. Interference, coercion, or intimidation. 

    It is a civil rights violation to coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any person in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of his or her having exercised or enjoyed, or on account of his or her having aided or encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by this Article 3.
(Source: P.A. 94-78, eff. 1-1-06.)
(775 ILCS 5/3-106) (from Ch. 68, par. 3-106)
Sec. 3-106. Exemptions.
Nothing contained in Section 3-102 shall
prohibit:
(A) Private Sales of Single Family Homes.
(1) Any sale of a single family home by its owner so     long as the following criteria are met:
(a) The owner does not own or have a beneficial         interest in more than 3 single family homes at the time of the sale;
(b) The owner or a member of the owner's family         was the last current resident of the home;
(c) The home is sold without the use in any         manner of the sales or rental facilities or services of any real estate broker or salesman, or of any employee or agent of any real estate broker or salesman;
(d) The home is sold without the publication,         posting or mailing, after notice, of any advertisement or written notice in violation of paragraph (F) of Section 3-102.
(2) This exemption does not apply to paragraph (F) of     Section 3-102.
(B) Apartments.  Rental of a housing accommodation in a building
which contains housing accommodations for not more than 4 families
living independently of each other, if the owner resides in one of the housing accommodations.
This exemption does not apply to paragraph (F) of Section 3-102.
(C) Private Rooms.  Rental of a room or rooms in a private home by
an owner if the owner or a member of the owner's family resides therein or,
while absent for a period of not more than 12 months, if the owner or a
member of the owner's family intends to return to reside therein.

This exemption does not apply to paragraph (F) of Section 3-102.
(D) Reasonable local, State, or Federal restrictions
regarding the maximum number of occupants permitted to occupy a dwelling.
(E) Religious Organizations.  A religious organization, association,
or society, or any nonprofit institution or organization operated,
supervised or controlled by or in conjunction with a religious
organization, association, or society, from limiting the sale, rental or
occupancy of a dwelling which it owns or operates for other than a
commercial purpose to persons of the same religion, or from giving
preference  to such persons, unless membership in such religion is
restricted on account of race, color, or national origin.
(F) Sex.  Restricting the rental of rooms in a housing accommodation to
persons of one sex.
(G) Persons Convicted of Drug-Related Offenses.
Conduct against a person because such person has been convicted by
any court of competent jurisdiction of the illegal manufacture or
distribution of a controlled substance as defined in Section 102 of the
federal Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802).
(H) Persons engaged in the business of furnishing appraisals of real
property from taking into consideration factors other than those based on
unlawful discrimination or familial status or source of income in furnishing appraisals.
(H-1) The owner of an owner-occupied residential building with 4 or
fewer units (including the unit in which the owner resides) from making
decisions regarding whether to rent to a person based upon that person's
sexual orientation.
(I) Housing for Older Persons. No provision in this Article regarding
familial status shall apply with respect to housing for older persons.
(1) As used in this Section, "housing for older     persons" means housing:
(a) provided under any State or Federal program         that the Department determines is specifically designed and operated to assist elderly persons (as defined in the State or Federal program); or
(b) intended for, and solely occupied by, persons         62 years of age or older; or
(c) intended and operated for occupancy by         persons 55 years of age or older and:
(i) at least 80% of the occupied units are             occupied by at least one person who is 55 years of age or older;
(ii) the housing facility or community             publishes and adheres to policies and procedures that demonstrate the intent required under this subdivision (c); and
(iii) the housing facility or community             complies with rules adopted by the Department for verification of occupancy, which shall:
(aa) provide for verification by reliable                 surveys and affidavits; and
(bb) include examples of the types of                 policies and procedures relevant to a determination of compliance with the requirement of clause (ii).
These surveys and affidavits shall be admissible in     administrative and judicial proceedings for the purposes of such verification.
(2) Housing shall not fail to meet the requirements     for housing for older persons by reason of:
(a) persons residing in such housing as of the         effective date of this amendatory Act of 1989 who do not meet the age requirements of subsections (1)(b) or (c); provided, that new occupants of such housing meet the age requirements of subsections (1)(b) or (c) of this subsection; or
(b) unoccupied units; provided, that such units         are reserved for occupancy by persons who meet the age requirements of subsections (1)(b) or (c) of this subsection.
(3)(a) A person shall not be held personally liable     for monetary damages for a violation of this Article if the person reasonably relied, in good faith, on the application of the exemption under this subsection (I) relating to housing for older persons.
(b) For the purposes of this item (3), a person may     show good faith reliance on the application of the exemption only by showing that:
(i) the person has no actual knowledge that the         facility or community is not, or will not be, eligible for the exemption; and
(ii) the facility or community has stated         formally, in writing, that the facility or community complies with the requirements for the exemption.
(J)  Child Sex Offender Refusal to Rent.  Refusal of a child sex offender who owns and resides at residential real estate to rent any residential unit within the same building in which the child sex offender resides to a person who is the parent or guardian of a child or children under 18 years of age.
(K) Arrest Records. Inquiry into or the use of an arrest record if the inquiry or use is otherwise authorized by State or federal law.
(L) Financial Institutions. A financial institution as defined in Article 4 from considering source of income or immigration status in a real estate transaction in compliance with State or federal law.
(M) Immigration Status. Inquiry into or the use of immigration status if the inquiry or use is in compliance with State or federal law.
(Source: P.A. 102-896, eff. 1-1-23; 103-232, eff. 1-1-24.)