Chicago Heights — Ch. 23 Human Relations § 23-61
Lending
Operative Text
It shall be unlawful to discriminate in connection with borrowing or lending money, guaranteeing or purchasing loans, accepting mortgages, or otherwise financing the purchase, construction, improvement, repair or maintenance of a dwelling, or the making or purchasing of loans or the provision of other financial assistance-secured by residential real estate, because of race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, familial status, marital status, national origin, or age. Such discrimination includes, but is not limited to: (a) Denying or delaying any of the services normally offered by such an institution, including the processing of a loan or other financial assistance; (b) Making a transaction unavailable; (c) Varying the terms or conditions, or otherwise discriminating in the fixing of the amount, interest rate, duration, or other terms or conditions of a loan or other financial assistance. (d) Provide any person with any service which is different from, or provided in a different manner than, that which is provided to other persons similarly situated; (e) Refuse to purchase or impose different terms or conditions on loans or other debts or securities which support the purchase, construction, improvement, repair or maintenance of a dwelling, or which are secured by residential real estate; and (f) Deny or vary the terms and conditions of a loan on the basis that a specific parcel of real estate offered as security is located in a specific geographical area.
Chicago Heights Ch. 23 § 23-61 prohibits discrimination in residential lending and mortgage financing based on protected characteristics including race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, marital status, national origin, or age. The rule covers a wide range of lending activities — from processing loan applications to setting interest rates, loan durations, and other financial terms. It also bars the practice of denying or varying loan terms solely because a property is located in a particular geographic area, a practice historically known as redlining.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who seek financing for the purchase, construction, improvement, or maintenance of residential dwellings should be aware that Ch. 23 § 23-61 governs how lenders must treat all applicants equally. Compliant lending institutions apply uniform standards for processing applications, setting loan terms, and purchasing or guaranteeing loans regardless of an applicant's protected characteristics. Operators who work with lenders or facilitate financing arrangements for tenants or buyers generally ensure that no party in the transaction applies discriminatory criteria.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Chicago Heights Ch. 23 § 23-61, tenants and prospective homebuyers have the right to access residential financing on equal terms, free from discrimination based on race, religion, disability, familial status, and other protected characteristics. If a lender delays processing, offers different terms, or denies a loan in a way that appears connected to a protected characteristic, that conduct may constitute a violation of this provision. Individuals who believe they have experienced discriminatory lending practices may consider filing a complaint with a local human relations commission, contacting a fair housing organization, or consulting a tenant- or consumer-rights resource for guidance on available remedies.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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