Arlington Heights Sen. Gillespie Backs Real Estate Civil Rights Bill

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — An Arlington Heights lawmaker is pushing for a new law that would prohibit a person’s immigration status from being considered in the closing of a real estate deal to ensure that equity is maintained during the transaction.

State Sen Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) co-sponsored and helped to pass Senate Bill 1817, which would make it illegal for one's immigration status to come into play when a person is selling or renting real estate property.

The bill passed out of the Senate late last week and now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. The bill amends the Illinois Human Rights Act to include the idea that it is a civil rights violation to consider immigration status when renting or selling a property.

That includes refusing to engage in a transaction, receive or transmit offers or negotiate terms of a deal, according to a news release. The bill would also prohibit a third-party loan modification service provider from refusing to engage in loan modification services or altering the terms of such services based on a person’s immigration status.

Inquiry or use of immigration status would still be allowed when required by either state or federal law, the release said.

“Those looking to rent or purchase property in Illinois should not be treated differently because of their immigration status,” Gillespie said in a statement released last week. “Putting these protections in place will promote fairness to ensure people are not unjustly denied housing.”

She added: “Housing is a human right, and everyone should have the opportunity to secure a safe home in which to build a better future for themselves. We must make it clear that landlords or property sellers cannot deny a rental or purchase agreement based on where a person is from.”