Peoria — Ch. 17 Human Relations, Housing and Employment § 17-117
Declaration of policy
Operative Text
It is hereby declared to be the public policy of the city, without in any way precluding any employer from selecting between persons of equal merit, ability and capabilities, to encourage equal employment opportunity or apprenticeship opportunity without unlawful discrimination as defined in this division; and to concurrently protect employers, labor organizations and employment agencies from unfounded charges of discrimination.
Peoria's § 17-117 establishes the city's foundational policy on equal employment opportunity, declaring that hiring and apprenticeship decisions should be free from unlawful discrimination as defined in Chapter 17. The provision simultaneously recognizes that employers retain the right to distinguish between candidates based on merit, ability, and capabilities. It also extends a protective purpose to employers, labor organizations, and employment agencies against baseless discrimination claims.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Although § 17-117 is primarily an employment-focused policy declaration rather than a rental-housing rule, property owners who also act as employers—such as those who hire maintenance staff or property managers—operate within the framework this section establishes. Compliant operators in Peoria generally ensure that their hiring and apprenticeship practices align with the equal-opportunity principles articulated in Chapter 17, while documenting merit-based selection criteria to demonstrate that distinctions among candidates rest on qualifications rather than protected characteristics. Keeping clear records of hiring decisions supports the dual protective purpose of § 17-117, which shields employers from unfounded discrimination charges as well.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 17-117 sets out the overarching policy goals of Peoria's human-relations framework in Chapter 17, signaling the city's commitment to equal opportunity in employment and apprenticeship contexts. While this provision is a policy declaration rather than a directly enforceable tenant right, it forms the interpretive backdrop for the more specific anti-discrimination rules that follow in the division. Individuals who believe they have experienced unlawful discrimination in an employment context covered by Chapter 17 may explore options such as filing a complaint with the relevant local human-relations body or consulting a tenant- or worker-rights organization familiar with Peoria's ordinance.
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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