Why We Believe This Matters in Illinois
Illinois has one of the strongest fair housing frameworks in the country. The Illinois Human Rights Act protects against housing discrimination based on arrest record and source of income. Chicago has local ordinances further restricting criminal history use in housing decisions. In our view, these protections are worth reviewing when considering screening tools in Illinois.
Fair Housing Laws in Illinois
Illinois Human Rights Act
The IHRA prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, marital status, physical/mental disability, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, unfavorable military discharge, arrest record, and source of income.
IL DHR — Fair HousingArrest Record Protections
Illinois explicitly protects against discrimination based on arrest record — which is one reason our filtering excludes arrests that did not result in a conviction.
Source of Income Protection
Source of income is a protected class, which is one reason our filtering excludes financial data.
Source of Income FAQChicago Ordinances
The City of Chicago has additional local ordinances restricting the use of criminal history in housing decisions.
Sources Reviewed — Quick Reference Links
Official third-party sources provided for your review. We do not control and are not responsible for external content.
Disclaimer: This page reflects Tether RE's views and summarizes sources our legal team reviewed in forming our filtering approach. It is for informational purposes only. This is not considered legal advice. Laws change frequently and summaries may be incomplete or outdated. Consult qualified legal counsel licensed in Illinois for guidance specific to your practice. Last updated: May 2026.