Peoria — Ch. 17 Human Relations, Housing and Employment § 17-142
Definitions
Operative Text
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, 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 40 but not yet 70 years old. Operator means any owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, superintendent, agent or occupant of a place of public accommodation or any employee of any such person. Place of public accommodation means a business, accommodation, refreshment, entertainment, recreation, or transportation facility of any kind, whether licensed or not, whose goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages or accommodations are extended, offered, sold, or otherwise made available to the public. By way of example, but not of limitation, "a place of public accom- modation" includes facilities of the following types: inns, restaurants, eating houses, hotels, soda fountains, soft drink parlors, taverns, roadhouses, barbershops, department stores, clothing stores, hat stores, shoe stores, bathrooms, restrooms, theaters, skating rinks, public golf courses, public golf driving ranges, concerts, cafes, bicycle rinks, elevators, ice cream parlors, railroads, buses, stages, airplanes, streetcars, boats, funeral hearses, crematories, cemeteries, and public conveyances on land or water or air, public swimming pools and other places of public accommodation and amusement. Sexual orientation means having, or being perceived as having, an emotional, physical or sexual attraction to another person, without regard to the gender of that person; or having, or being perceived as having, an orientation for such attraction; or having, or being perceived as having, a self image or identity not traditionally associated with one's biological maleness or femaleness. Sexual orientation does not include a physical or sexual attraction to a minor by an adult. Unlawful discrimination means discrimination against a person because of his race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, handicap, unfavorable discharge from military service, or sexual orientation as those are defined in this section. Cross reference-- Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1-2 .
Peoria Ch. 17 § 17-142 establishes the working definitions that govern the human relations, housing, and employment division's anti-discrimination rules. Key terms such as 'age,' 'operator,' 'place of public accommodation,' 'sexual orientation,' and 'unlawful discrimination' are given specific meanings that apply throughout the division. These definitions set the boundaries of who and what is covered by the division's protections and obligations, and they control how other provisions in the division are interpreted.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who operate places of public accommodation in Peoria should be familiar with the definitions set out in § 17-142, as these terms determine the scope of the division's anti-discrimination requirements. The definition of 'operator' is broad, encompassing owners, lessees, managers, agents, and employees, meaning that compliance obligations can extend to staff as well as ownership. Understanding what qualifies as 'unlawful discrimination' under this section — covering race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, handicap, military discharge status, and sexual orientation — helps operators structure their policies and training accordingly.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Peoria Ch. 17 § 17-142 defines the protected characteristics and covered settings that underpin the division's anti-discrimination protections, which can be relevant to tenants and members of the public who believe they have experienced discriminatory treatment. The definition of 'unlawful discrimination' in this section covers a range of characteristics including race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, handicap, unfavorable military discharge, and sexual orientation. Individuals who believe their situation may fall within these definitions can explore options such as filing a complaint with the appropriate local human relations body, consulting a tenant-rights organization, or reviewing the cross-referenced provisions at § 1-2 for additional interpretive guidance.
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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