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Human Rights
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Housing Rights
Housing Rights
If you think you have experienced housing discrimination, this page explains your rights and how to file a charge.
What you will find here:
Real examples of discrimination, your legal protections, how to file a charge, and who the law covers.
⏱ Reading time: 11 minutes
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Table of contents
Learn What Discrimination Looks Like
See situations that might match yours.
Do You Want to File a Charge?
Learn how to file and whether now is the right time to do it.
Your Rights in Housing
Know what protections you have.
Who the Law Covers
Find out which housing providers need to follow the law.
What IDHR Cannot Do
Understand our limits so you know what to expect.
Housing Rights FAQs
Find answers to common questions.
Learn What Discrimination Looks Like
Illinois law prohibits housing discrimination based on parts of who you are - called “protected characteristics.”
Race · Color · Ancestry · National Origin · Disability (physical and mental) · Religion · Sex · Sexual Orientation (including gender identity) · Sexual Harassment · Age (40 and over) · Marital Status · Pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions) · Reproductive Health Decisions · Military Status · Unfavorable Military Discharge · Order of Protection Status · Arrest Record · Familial Status · Immigration Status · Source of Income
Discrimination examples
Discrimination is not always obvious. Sometimes it happens in ways that are hard to spot. These real-world examples can help you identify whether you have experienced unlawful treatment.
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