Casey — Title 15 Ch. 15.28 Fair Housing § 15.28.020
Definitions
Operative Text
Unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context, the following terms shall have the meaning as described in this section and as used in this ordinance. Decent, Sanitary, Healthful Standard Living Quarters. "Decent, sanitary, healthful standard living quarters" is housing which is in sound, clean, and weather tight condition in conformance with applicable local, state, and national codes. Discriminate. The terms "discriminate" or "discrimination" mean any difference expressed in any way toward a person or persons in the terms of the sale, exchange, lease, rental or financing for housing accommodation and/or real property in regard to such sale, exchange, rental, lease or finance because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, creed, or disability of such person. Financial Institution. The term "financial institution" means any person, institution or business entity of any kind which loans money to persons and receives as security for said loans a secured interest of any kind in the real property of the borrower. Housing Accommodation. The term "housing accommodation" includes any building, structure, or portion thereof which is used or occupied, maintained, arranged or designed to be used or occupied as a home, residence or sleeping place of one or more human beings, or any real estate so used, designed or intended for such use. Owner. An "owner" means any person/persons who hold legal or equitable title to, or own any beneficial interest in any real property or who hold legal or equitable title to shares of, or hold any beneficial interest in any real estate cooperative which owns any real property and/or housing accommodations. Real Estate Broker. The term "real estate broker" means any person, partnership, association, corporation and/or agent thereof, who for a fee or other valuable consideration offers, sells, purchases, exchanges or rents, or negotiate for the sale, purchase, exchange or rental of a housing accommodation and/or real property of another, or collects rental for the use of housing accommodation and/or real property of another. Real Property. The term "real property" means any real estate, vacant land, building, structure or housing accommodations within the corporate limits of the city of Casey, Illinois.
Section 15.28.020 of Casey's Fair Housing ordinance establishes the working vocabulary for the entire Chapter 15.28 framework. It defines key terms — including 'discrimination,' 'housing accommodation,' 'owner,' 'real property,' and 'financial institution' — that govern how the ordinance is interpreted and applied. Notably, the definition of 'discriminate' covers differences in treatment across sales, rentals, leases, exchanges, and financing based on race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, creed, or disability. These definitions set the boundaries of who and what is covered under Casey's fair housing protections.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating within Casey, Illinois should be familiar with the definitions established in § 15.28.020, as these terms shape the scope of the entire Fair Housing ordinance. The definition of 'owner' is broad, encompassing those holding legal title, equitable title, or any beneficial interest — meaning a wide range of ownership arrangements fall under the ordinance's reach. Compliant operators generally ensure that all housing accommodations, as defined in this section, meet the 'decent, sanitary, healthful standard living quarters' standard and that no differential treatment occurs in any transaction covered by the ordinance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 15.28.020 provides the foundational definitions that determine whether a housing situation or transaction falls under Casey's Fair Housing protections. The broad definition of 'housing accommodation' means that most residential living arrangements within the city's corporate limits are covered, and the definition of 'discrimination' extends to financing and leasing terms — not just outright refusals. Tenants who believe they have experienced unequal treatment in a rental or financing transaction may find it useful to review these definitions, consult a tenant-rights organization, or explore complaint options available under the broader Chapter 15.28 framework.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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