Discrimination based on source of income still widespread despite new Illinois law, housing advocates say; recent lawsuits may change that – Chicago Tribune/MSN

Within the last year and a half, housing attorneys have filed some of the first lawsuits allowed under Illinois’ nearly two-year-old statewide law preventing discrimination on the basis of someone’s source of income. All the complaints allege that the plaintiffs, who had housing vouchers, were discriminated against. Chicagoan Mikia Knighten, who lives in Lansing, is suing 14 parties, ranging from individuals to real estate brokerages to smaller corporations.
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Tommy Paine
1 year ago

Let’s make sure that every Dem that voted for this has all the rental properties in their neighborhoods listed and disseminated to all the voucher recipients.

Eugene from a payphone
1 year ago

Decades ago, a townhouse development called pacesetter on the Chicago/Riverdale border was destroyed by Section 8 housing. Designed as a retirement community, the S8 vouchers paid more than the modest rent the seniors were charged and it devolved into a crime ridden and congested dangerous mess.

Hello, Indiana!
1 year ago

Take a good look at Section Eight housing before the underserved move in and after they leave and then tell us why landlords are hesitant to let them move in. I recently had the misfortune to live near two apartments housing such people: unattended children, people braking the security door to come and go all hours of the night, loud parties and fighting at 3 am were just part of the “ rich, diverse “ tapestry they brought with them.

debtsor
1 year ago

It’s the magic dirt theory. When section 8 people are concentrated on bad dirt, the schools become bad, the community goes downhill and crime increase. Because the dirt underneath these Section 8 buildings is not magical. But when Section 8 is moved to Glencoe, Evanston, Hinsdale and Orland, those are places with Magical Dirt. The Section 8 recipient becomes blessed by the magical aura that emanates from the magical dirt in places like Glencoe and Hinsdale. That’s why our state politicians want Section 8 in the nicest, most expensive areas of Illinois.

debtsor
1 year ago

These laws are a joke. They are shakedowns. Nobody wants Section 8 tenants. Keep in mind that if you property is NOT Section 8 approved, you MUST apply to have it Section 8 approved, which can take WEEKS or MONTHS, and you as the landlord must EAT the cost of the vacant unit while the Section 8 process continues. And if you turn down the Section 8 tenant for a non-Section 8 tenant, you get sued like this, which means that Section 8 tenants, for all practical purposes, have first rights to ANY rental property throughout the state.

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