Illinois Human Rights Act: New Law Prohibits Real Estate Discrimination
Along with a string of other new laws and amendments, the Illinois Human Rights Act experienced an update of its own. While Illinois laws pertaining Remote Notarization and the Real Property Transfer on Death Instrument Act took effect with the start of 2022, the Illinois Senate actually initiated the latest amendment to the Human Rights Act back in August 2021.
Understanding the Illinois Human Rights Act
In essence, the Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination throughout the state of Illinois. In addition to employment, the Act combats discrimination with regards to financial credit, public accommodations, housing and sexual harassment, as well as sexual harassment in education.
As an added measure, the Illinois Department of Human Rights overseas discrimination charges. Plaintiffs initiate charges by calling, writing, or appearing in person at the Department’s Chicago or Springfield office within 300 days of the date the alleged discrimination. With housing discriminations, the statute increases to a one-year filing deadline.
2021 Amendment to the Illinois Human Rights Act
In 2021, the Illinois Senate amended the Illinois Human Rights Act to cover discrimination from third-party loan modification services in real estate transactions. Furthermore, unlawful discrimination or that pertaining to familial status and arrest records is now considered a civil rights violation.
Overall, third-party loan modification services cannot:
Refuse to engage in loan modification services
Alter the terms, conditions, or privileges of such services
Discriminate in making such services available
Summary
With the 2021 amendment to the Illinois Human Rights Act, the state takes another step towards combating racial discrimination. While 2021 saw a massive influx of mortgage and refinancing activity, the new law couldn’t have come at a better time.
To learn more about how the latest Illinois laws affect real estate transactions, schedule an appointment with the attorney at Lee Scott Perres, P.C.
