Housing discrimination is a serious issue that nobody should have to face. If you are a victim of housing discrimination in Illinois, you should know where to file your case, the deadlines, and what type of relief (damages) can be awarded. Each agency is pretty similar in what they do, but there are important differences between them.
The following table provides an overview of the agencies that handle housing discrimination claims and the types of discrimination they cover.
| Agencies to Contact | Types of Discrimination Covered | Geographic Limitations | Time Limitations | Who Can Be Sued | Kinds of Relief Available |
| Chicago Commission on Human Relations | Race, Color, Religion, Sex, National Origin, Ancestry, Age, Disability, Marital Status, Parental Status, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Source of Income, Military Status, Retaliation | Housing located within the City of Chicago | Must file within 300 days of the alleged violation | All persons with right to sell, rent, or lease any housing accommodation within Chicago and their agents | Make whole damages, Punitive Damages, Fines to the City, Injunctive Relief, Attorneys Fees and Costs to prevailing complainant |
| Cook County Commission on Human Rights | Race, Color, Religion, Sex, National Origin, Ancestry, Age, Disability, Marital Status, Parental Status, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Source of Income, Military Discharge Status, Criminal History, Housing Status, Retaliation, Aiding/Abetting, Willful Interference | Housing located within Cook County | Must file within 180 days of the alleged violation | All persons with right to sell, rent, lease, or sublease any housing unit within Cook County and their agents or any agent, broker, or other individual working on behalf of any such individual | Make whole damages, Fines to the County, Injunctive Relief, Attorneys Fees and Costs to prevailing complainant |
| Illinois Department of Human Rights | Race, Color, Religion, Sex, National Origin, Ancestry, Age, Disability, Marital Status, Familial Status, Sexual Orientation (incl. gender identity), Pregnancy, Unfavorable Military Discharge, Military Status, Order of Protection Status, Retaliation, Aiding/Abetting, Willful Interference, and Coercion | Residential and commercial real estate transactions in Illinois | Must file within one year of the alleged violation | Most persons engaging in commercial or residential real estate transactions, including real estate brokers, salespersons, builders, lenders, and appraisers and their agents | Make whole damages, Fines to State, Injunctive Relief, Attorneys Fees and Costs for prevailing complainant |
| U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development | Race, Color, Religion, Sex (including sexual harassment), National Origin, Ancestry, Age, Disability, Marital Status, Parental Status, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Source of Income, Military Status, Retaliation | Housing located within U.S. or U.S. territories | Must file within one year of the alleged violation | Most residential housing owners (exceptions: owner-occupied builders with no more than four units, single-family house with no broker, some private organizations), sales and rental agents, builders, lenders and appraisers, Municipalities, Advertisers, Persons interfering with the exercise of fair housing rights, including neighbors | Make whole damages, Punitive Damages, Fines to Agency, Injunctive Relief, Attorneys Fees and Costs to prevailing complainant |
Don’t forget that certain exceptions and limitations may apply. Contact an Illinois housing discrimination lawyer with any questions you have.