Hinckley — Ch. 38 Human Relations § 38-32
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: Discrimination or discriminatory housing practice means any difference in treatment based upon race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, handicap, military status, or unfavorable discharge from military service as those terms are defined in 775 ILCS 5/1-103. Financial institution means any person, as defined herein, engaged in the business of lending money or guaranteeing losses. Housing accommodation or dwelling means any improved or unimproved real property, or part thereof, which is used or occupied, or is intended, arranged or designed to be used or occupied, as the home or residence of one or more individuals. Mortgage broker means an individual who is engaged in or who performs the business or services of a mortgage broker as such terms are defined by state statutes. Open market means the market which is informed of the availability for sale, purchase, rental or lease of any housing accommodation, whether informed through a real estate broker or by advertising by publication, sign or by any.other advertising methods directed to the public or any portion thereof, indicating that the property is available for sale, purchase, rental or lease. Owner includes a lessee, sublessee, cotenant, assignee, managing agent or other person having the right of ownership or possession, or the right to sell, rent or lease any housing accommodation. Person means one or more individuals, partnerships, associations, or organizations, labor organizations, labor unions, joint apprenticeship committees, or union labor associations, corporations, the state and its instrumentalities, political subdivisions, units of local government, legal representatives, trustees in bankruptcy or receivers. Real estate broker or salesman means a person, whether licensed or not, who, for or with the expectation of receiving a consideration, lists, sells, purchases, exchanges, rents, or leases real property, or who negotiates or attempts to negotiate any of these activities, or who holds himself out as engaged in these activities. Real property means buildings, structures, lands, tenements, leaseholds, interests in real estate cooperatives, condominiums, and hereditaments, corporeal and incorporeal, or any interest therein. Cross reference-- Definitions generally, § 1-2 .
Section 38-32 of Hinckley's Ch. 38 Human Relations article establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the local fair housing rules. Key terms such as 'discrimination,' 'housing accommodation,' 'owner,' and 'person' are given specific meanings here, and those definitions govern how the rest of the article is interpreted. Where the surrounding context of a provision clearly calls for a different meaning, that context controls, but otherwise these definitions set the interpretive baseline. The definition of discrimination expressly ties to the protected categories outlined in 775 ILCS 5/1-103 under Illinois law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners, managers, and anyone defined as an 'owner' under § 38-32 — including lessees, managing agents, and others with the right to rent or lease — are subject to the full scope of Ch. 38's human relations requirements. Because the term 'owner' is broadly defined in this section, operators who might not think of themselves as traditional landlords may still fall within the article's coverage. Compliant operators generally familiarize themselves with each defined term in § 38-32, since those definitions shape the obligations and prohibitions found throughout the rest of the article.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants benefit from § 38-32 because its broad definitions of 'housing accommodation' and 'owner' extend fair housing protections across a wide range of living arrangements and housing providers. The definition of 'discrimination' in this section incorporates protected characteristics from Illinois state law, signaling that both local and state-level remedies may be relevant when a concern arises. Tenants who believe they have experienced a discriminatory housing practice as defined in § 38-32 may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or review available complaint processes under Ch. 38 and Illinois law.
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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation