Illinois Fair Housing Laws: What's on the Real Estate Exam

Fair housing is tested on both sections of the Illinois real estate exam. Illinois has some of the most expansive fair housing protections in the country, adding 6 protected classes to the federal seven. Here's everything you need to know.

Federal Fair Housing Act — Foundation

The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in residential housing based on 7 protected classes:

1. Race
2. Color
3. National Origin
4. Religion
5. Sex
6. Familial Status (families with children under 18, pregnant women)
7. Disability

Federal Prohibited Acts **Steering:** Directing buyers/tenants toward or away from areas based on protected class. **Blockbusting:** Using demographic fear to induce property sales. **Redlining:** Denying financial services based on neighborhood racial composition. **Discriminatory advertising:** Any ad language signaling preference for or against a protected class.

Federal Exemptions - Owner-occupied buildings with 4 or fewer units (Mrs. Murphy) - Private individual selling a single-family home without a broker and without discriminatory advertising - Religious organizations and private clubs (for members only)

Illinois Fair Housing Additions

Illinois's Human Rights Act adds the following classes to the federal seven:

• Sexual orientation
• Gender identity — transgender and non-binary individuals
• Marital status — single, married, divorced, widowed
• Ancestry — ethnic lineage beyond national origin
• Military status — active duty, reserve, veterans
• Source of income — cannot refuse to rent to Section 8 voucher holders or others with lawful income sources (government assistance, Social Security, child support, etc.)

Total protected classes in Illinois: 13 (7 federal + 6 Illinois additions)

Source of Income — Illinois-Specific and Frequently Tested

Illinois's source of income protection is notable and tested. A landlord in Illinois cannot: - Refuse to accept Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher) tenants solely because of their payment source - Advertise "no Section 8" in Illinois (this constitutes discriminatory advertising) - Require higher security deposits from voucher holders

Exception: The source of income protection does not apply to owner-occupied single-family homes with 4 or fewer units (Mrs. Murphy exemption still applies to the federal classes, but Illinois's Human Rights Act has its own exemptions — know that the rules are complex for small owner-occupied buildings).

Military Status — Illinois-Specific

Illinois prohibits discrimination against active duty military members, reservists, and veterans. This matters in rental contexts because military personnel may have frequent moves and shorter tenancy — landlords cannot discriminate based on this status.

Chicago Fair Housing — Additional Layer

Chicago, as a municipality, has its own fair housing ordinance that may add even more protected classes (such as source of income rules that are stricter than state law). For the Illinois real estate exam, you primarily need to know the state law additions — but be aware that Chicago candidates may encounter Chicago-specific questions.

Disability Accommodations in Illinois

Illinois follows federal FHA standards: - Reasonable accommodations: Changes to rules/policies for persons with disabilities (e.g., allowing an assistance animal) - Reasonable modifications: Physical changes to the unit (tenant pays in private housing) - New construction standards: 4+ unit buildings built after March 13, 1991 must meet accessibility requirements

Practice Questions

Q: A landlord in Chicago refuses to rent to an applicant because they have a Section 8 housing voucher. Is this legal?

A: No. Illinois prohibits discrimination based on source of income, which includes housing vouchers.

Q: Which of the following is NOT a protected class under Illinois fair housing law?

A) Military status B) Source of income C) Gender identity D) Occupation

Answer: D — Occupation is not a protected class under Illinois or federal fair housing law.

For more Illinois fair housing practice questions, visit [CARealestate.com/states/illinois](https://carealestate.com/states/illinois).