Illinois Fair Housing Protected Classes
Last verified: 2026-05-01 · 17 protected classes
The Illinois Human Rights Act adds ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, and source of income to housing protections.
Federal baseline (applies everywhere)
View United States (Federal) referenceSource: Fair Housing Act, 42 USC §§ 3601–3619 · Official text
Race(added 1968)
42 USC § 3604(a)
Color(added 1968)
42 USC § 3604(a)
Religion(added 1968)
42 USC § 3604(a)
National origin(added 1968)
42 USC § 3604(a)
Sex(added 1974)
42 USC § 3604(a)
Familial status(added 1988)
42 USC § 3604(a)
Households with children under 18, including pregnant individuals.
Disability(added 1988)
42 USC § 3604(f)
Originally enacted as 'handicap'; covers physical and mental impairments.
State additions — Illinois
Source: Illinois Human Rights Act · Official text
Ancestry
775 ILCS 5/1-103(O-5)
Age
775 ILCS 5/1-103(A)
Marital status
775 ILCS 5/1-103(O-5)
Sexual orientation
775 ILCS 5/1-103(O-1)
Gender identity
775 ILCS 5/1-103(O-1)
Included within the statutory definition of 'sexual orientation'.
Military status
775 ILCS 5/1-103(O-5)
Pregnancy
775 ILCS 5/1-103(O-5)
Order of protection status
775 ILCS 5/1-103(O-5)
Source of income(added 2023)
775 ILCS 5/1-103(O-5)
Includes Section 8 housing choice vouchers and other lawful subsidies.
Immigration status
775 ILCS 5/1-103(O-5)
Important
This page is a compliance reference, not legal advice. Statute interpretation and enforcement varies. Verify against the current text of cited statutes and consult a licensed attorney for advice on a specific situation.
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