Source-of-Income Discrimination: Arlington Heights vs Chicago
How do source-of-income discrimination rules compare between Arlington Heights, IL and Chicago, IL?
Arlington Heights and Chicago have similar restriction levels.
Arlington Heights, IL
Cook County
Cook County Human Rights Ordinance Ch. 42 and the Illinois Human Rights Act prohibit landlords from refusing tenants based on lawful source of income, including Housing Choice Vouchers, SSI, child support, and other government assistance.
View full Arlington Heights rules →Chicago, IL
Cook County
The Chicago Human Rights Ordinance MCC 6-10 and the Cook County Human Rights Ordinance prohibit landlords from refusing applicants because their rent comes from a Housing Choice Voucher, SSI, or other lawful source.
View full Chicago rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Arlington Heights | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| County code | Cook County Code Ch. 42 | - |
| State statute | 775 ILCS 5 | - |
| Penalty | Up to $1000 per violation | - |
| Filing deadline | 180 days | - |
| Enforcer | Cook County Human Rights Commission | - |
| Local code | - | MCC 6-10-040 |
| State law | - | 775 ILCS 5/3-102.1 |
| Civil fine | - | Up to $1,000 per violation |
| Income test | - | Tenant share only |
| Enforced by | - | CCHR and Cook County |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Arlington Heights FAQ
Can a landlord post no-Section-8 ads?
No. Advertising that excludes voucher holders or any lawful income source violates both the Cook County Human Rights Ordinance and the Illinois Human Rights Act and is independently actionable.
Can different income multiples apply to voucher holders?
No. Income screening must apply only to the tenant share of rent, not the total contract rent. Holding voucher holders to the same multiple as full-rent tenants is discriminatory.
Chicago FAQ
Can a landlord still require 3x income?
Yes, but only against the tenant's actual share of rent after voucher subsidy. Applying the multiplier to total contract rent is treated as a proxy for source-of-income discrimination.
Where do I file a complaint?
File with the Chicago Commission on Human Relations within 180 days, or with the Cook County Commission. The Illinois Department of Human Rights also accepts state-law complaints.
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