Chillicothe — Ch. 50 Human Rights § 50-61
Definitions
Operative Text
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Age means the chronological age of a person who is at least 40 years old. Commission means the city human relations commission. Commission panel and panel mean a panel, composed of two or more members of the commission, designated by the chair of the commission, to investigate and to attempt to conciliate a complaint filed or made under section 50-81 . Handicap means a determinable physical or mental characteristic of a person, including but not limited to a determinable physical characteristic which necessitates the person's use of a guide, hearing or support dog, the history of such characteristic, or the perception of such characteristic by the person complained against, which may result from disease, injury, congenital condition of birth or functional disorder and which characteristic: (1) For purposes of division 3 of this article, is unrelated to the person's ability to acquire, rent or maintain a housing accommodation. (2) For purposes of division 4 of this article, is unrelated to a person's ability to repay. Marital status means the legal status of being married, single, separated, divorced or widowed. Military status means a person's status on active duty in the armed forces of the United States. National origin means the place in which a person or one of his ancestors was born. Religion includes all aspects of religious observance and practice, as well as belief. Sex means the status of being male or female. Unfavorable military discharge includes discharges from the armed forces of the United States, their reserve components or any national guard or naval militia which are classified as RE-3 or the equivalent thereof, but does not include those characterized as RE-4 or "dishonorable." Cross reference-- Definitions generally, § 1-2 . State Law reference-- Similar provisions, 775 ILCS 5/1-103.
Section 50-61 of Chillicothe's Chapter 50 Human Rights ordinance establishes the specific meanings of key terms used throughout the article's anti-discrimination provisions. These definitions set the boundaries for protected characteristics such as age (limited to persons 40 and older), handicap, marital status, military status, national origin, religion, sex, and unfavorable military discharge. The definitions are intended to guide how complaints and proceedings under the article are interpreted and applied, and they align with similar language found in Illinois state law at 775 ILCS 5/1-103.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Chillicothe should familiarize themselves with the defined terms in § 50-61, as these definitions govern what constitutes a protected characteristic under the housing provisions of Chapter 50. For example, the definition of 'handicap' under this section is specifically tied to whether a characteristic is unrelated to a person's ability to acquire, rent, or maintain a housing accommodation — not a broader or narrower standard. Compliant operators generally apply these precise definitions when evaluating rental applications, lease terms, and accommodation requests to ensure their practices align with the article's requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in Chillicothe benefit from knowing that § 50-61 defines the protected characteristics that form the foundation of housing discrimination complaints under Chapter 50. If a tenant believes they have been treated unfairly based on characteristics such as age, handicap, marital status, military status, or religion, these definitions help clarify whether their situation falls within the article's protections. Complaints related to housing discrimination may be filed with the city human relations commission, as referenced in § 50-61, and tenant-rights organizations can help individuals understand how these definitions apply to their circumstances.
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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