CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign County Association-Realtors hosted a forum Tuesday night to inform landlords and tenants about the new source of income law that passed early this year.
Governor JB Pritzker signed the legislation last May. It prevents discrimination in housing by adding protections to the state’s Human Rights Act.
The source of income law prohibits discrimination from landlords to tenants based on their source of income, including section 8 vouchers.
P.J. Trautman is president of the Champaign County Association of Realtors.
Trautman says it is critical to educate landlords in Illinois to understand this law.
“If landlords who are asked if they accept section eight indicate that they know they don’t accept section eight, they could be facing many penalties in fines for violating the Illinois Human Rights Act,” Trautman said.
Section 8 housing vouchers are offered through the federal government. They help low-income and disabled individuals to afford housing. Supporters of the law say it will create a more equitable housing market.
Tamika Baker is a renter and attended the event. She says she was seeking information about tenant and landlord responsibilities.
Baker says although this was more for landlords, tenants can educate themselves with the information provided.
“They have numbers and stuff people can call to get more information that would help tenants understand their rights and responsibilities and the law and how landlords can’t just treat them and evict them for unlawful things,” Baker said.
Trautman says landlords who previously were able to decide whether or not they wanted to participate in section eight, or the housing choice voucher program, no longer have that option.
Baker says she would like to see more events that focus on tenants’ responsibilities.
