If you believe you’ve been denied housing, charged unfair fees, or treated differently because of your race, disability, source of income, or another protected characteristic, you may be a victim of housing discrimination. In Chicago, tenants and home seekers have strong legal protections under the Chicago Fair Housing Ordinance, the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA), and the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA).
This guide explains how to recognize housing discrimination, what steps to take if you experience it, and how to file a complaint in Chicago.
Step 1: Identify Housing Discrimination
Housing discrimination is any unfair treatment based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, familial status, religion, source of income, military status, age, or other protected categories.
Examples of discrimination in Chicago housing include:
- A landlord refuses to rent to you after learning you use a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8).
- A property manager tells you a unit is “unavailable” but offers it to another applicant of a different race.
- A real estate agent refuses to show homes in certain neighborhoods based on your ethnicity.
- A landlord denies a reasonable accommodation for a disability, such as allowing a service animal in a no-pet building.
- A landlord charges higher rent or fees based on gender, immigration status, or family size.
If any of these happen to you, you may have a legal claim for housing discrimination.
Step 2: Document Everything
Gathering strong evidence is critical to proving your case. Take these steps:
- Keep a record of all interactions – Write down dates, times, and details of any conversations.
- Save emails, texts, or voicemails – Communications that suggest bias can be powerful evidence.
- Get witness statements – If someone else saw or heard the discrimination, their testimony can help.
- Compare treatment – If you suspect racial or disability-based discrimination, try to determine if others were treated differently.
Step 3: File a Complaint with the Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR)
In Chicago, the CCHR enforces fair housing laws and investigates discrimination complaints.
How to File a Complaint with CCHR:
- Deadline: Complaints must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discrimination.
- How to File: You can file a complaint online, by phone, or in person at CCHR.
- Investigation Process: CCHR will investigate by gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.
- Outcome: If CCHR finds discrimination, the landlord or property owner may be ordered to pay damages, change policies, or provide the denied housing opportunity.
Step 4: File a Complaint with the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR)
If the discrimination happened anywhere in Illinois, including Chicago, you can also file with IDHR.
- Deadline: Complaints must be filed within one year of the incident.
- How to File: Complaints can be submitted online, by mail, or in person.
- Outcome: If IDHR finds substantial evidence of discrimination, you can take your case to the Illinois Human Rights Commission (IHRC) for a hearing or file a lawsuit in state court.
Step 5: File a Complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
If the discrimination involves federal housing programs or violations of the Fair Housing Act, you can file a complaint with HUD.
- Deadline: Complaints must be filed within one year of the discriminatory act.
- How to File: You can submit complaints online or by calling HUD’s Office of Fair Housing.
- Outcome: HUD may negotiate a settlement, impose penalties on the landlord, or refer the case for litigation.
Step 6: Consider Filing a Lawsuit
If the housing discrimination caused you financial loss, emotional distress, or denied you housing, you may be able to sue in state or federal court. You can seek:
- Compensation for lost housing opportunities
- Damages for emotional distress
- Changes in discriminatory policies
- Attorney’s fees if you win
An experienced housing discrimination attorney can help you determine whether to file a lawsuit and what damages you may be entitled to.
Know Your Rights and Take Action
Housing discrimination is illegal, and you have the right to challenge it. If you have been denied housing, charged unfair fees, or treated differently because of a protected characteristic, you can file a complaint and seek justice.
At Justice Legal Counsel, we fight for tenants and home seekers facing discrimination in Chicago. If you believe your housing rights have been violated, contact us today for a consultation.