Illinois Criminal & credit history rules

Can a landlord deny a tenant for criminal or credit history in Illinois?

Illinois landlords and brokers may not refuse a real estate transaction, change terms, or otherwise discriminate because of an arrest record (arrests without conviction, juvenile records, or expunged/sealed/impounded criminal history). Convictions are a separate category under the Human Rights Act. Statute text: "It is a civil rights violation for an owner or any other person, or for a real estate broker or salesman, because of unlawful discrimination, familial status, immigration status, source of income, or an arrest record, as defined under subsection (B-5) of Section 1-103, to:" (775 ILCS 5/3-102; 775 ILCS 5/1-103(B-5)).

Verified Source: 775 ILCS 5/3-102; 775 ILCS 5/1-103(B-5) (Arrest record) · last checked 2026-10-16