"Source of Income" as a Protected Class

Earlier this year the Illinois General Assembly passed, and Governor JB Pritzker signed into law, HB 2775, which amends the Illinois Human Rights statute to add "Source of Income" as protected class in real estate transactions throughout the state. The new law is effective January 1, 2023, and it applies the same definition of ‘source of income’ discrimination - already in place in the City of Chicago,  Cook County, and several other municipalities - to the State of Illinois.  In effect, the new law prohibits apartment providers from enforcing policies that do not permit Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher holders the right to apply for housing. 

CAA is working with the Illinois Department of Human Rights to schedule a webinar on the new statute to be held early next year.  We urge CAA members to work with their general counsel to ensure resident application and qualification practices comply with the new statute.  In the meantime, NAA continues to advance legislative efforts to reform the federal Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.