Cook County’s recently passed Just Housing Ordinance has big implications for those who lease or sell residential property.

Now, Illinois REALTORS® has a Just Housing Amendment Q and A (login required) which guides members through the process which now must be used by anyone renting or selling residential units in Cook County.

The Just Housing Ordinance (JHO) went into effect Dec. 31, 2019, and seeks to alleviate housing discrimination based on an applicant’s criminal background.  Enforcement begins on Jan. 31, 2020.

Illinois REALTORS® worked with the county’s policymakers to help shape the ordinance, but there were provisions of the new rules which we opposed.  For example, the Rules prohibit landlords in most cases from denying housing based on a criminal conviction older than three years.

The ordinances also spells out specific steps which must be taken to make sure an applicant understands where they stand in the rental process. It also sets guidelines for applicants to dispute what they think is incorrect information found in a background screening.

“While we were able to remove a provision requiring that a rental unit be held off the market while an applicant’s dispute is being considered, there are still significant new requirements here that involve criminal history screening,” said Mike Scobey, Illinois REALTORS®’ Director of Local Advocacy. “We urge practitioners and owners to familiarize themselves with the new procedures.”

Illinois REALTORS® has advocates who monitor local legislation throughout the state as part of the RVOICE program.