HB1551 Summary

• Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on source of income in residential rental real estate transactions, effective January 31, 2012.

• Defines "source of income" as any lawful income, subsidy, or benefit including child support, maintenance, public assistance, medical assistance, or rental assistance programs.

• Exempts housing development projects where 25% or more of units are owned or controlled by a housing authority from being required to lease to tenants receiving federal Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8).

• Exempts property owners in municipalities with fewer than 1,000,000 inhabitants located in concentrated census tracts where only 3% of housing stock is occupied by voucher recipients from source of income discrimination requirements.

• Permits owners and agents to consider factors other than source of income, such as credit history, criminal history, or references, when making rental decisions.