A new Illinois law blocks housing discrimination based on sources of income, a huge step in addressing inequities for people with disabilities in the state that was nearly 20 years in the making. The legislation is an amendment to the Illinois Human Rights Act and adds source of income as a protected class for seeking housing who may not have wage incomes and may not be able to work in a traditional job because of their disabilities.
The new law has huge impacts on people in Illinois. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, over half of the households in Illinois rely on non-wage incomes. According to the NLIHC, some examples of people now protected under the new law, include:
Families with Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
Veterans using their benefits to pay for housing
Single mothers using child support to pay for housing
Seniors using social security funds to pay for housing
People with rental subsidies fleeing domestic violence
What’s more, the Illinois Coalition of Fair Housing has a self-advocacy toolkit to support people in Illinois and their housing rights. The attorneys at Kennedy Hunt P.C. are experts in civil rights, housing and disability law. We are champions for our clients and fight for their housing rights. If you or someone you know has been a victim of discrimination or had your housing rights violated, our attorneys at Kennedy Hunt, P.C. may be able to help you. Fill out a questionnaire so we can understand your claim.