Peoria — Ch. 17 Human Relations, Housing and Employment § 17-72
Definitions
Operative Text
As used in this division, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section: Discriminate includes difference in treatment in the sale, lease, rental or financing of housing accommodations because of any factor specified in section 17-71 . Familial status means one or more individuals (who have not attained the age of 18 years) being domiciled with: (1) A parent or person having legal custody of such individual or individuals; or (2) The designee of such parent or other person having such custody, with the written permission of such parent or other person. The protections afforded by this division against discrimination on the basis of familial status apply to any person who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody of any individual who has not attained the age of 18 years. Housing accommodation means any improved or unimproved real property, structure, or portion 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. 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. 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. Cross reference-- Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1-2 .
Peoria's Ch. 17 Human Relations, Housing and Employment § 17-72 establishes the core vocabulary used throughout the city's fair-housing division. Key terms defined here include 'discriminate' (differential treatment in housing transactions based on protected factors listed in § 17-71), 'familial status' (households that include minors under 18, as well as pregnant individuals or those pursuing legal custody of a minor), 'housing accommodation' (broadly covering any real property used or intended as a residence), and 'sexual orientation' (encompassing actual or perceived emotional, physical, or sexual attraction regardless of the other person's gender). These definitions set the interpretive foundation for all anti-discrimination protections that follow in the division.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Peoria should be familiar with the defined terms in § 17-72, because those definitions govern how the fair-housing rules throughout this division are applied to leasing, rental, and financing activities. A compliant operator generally treats all applicants and residents consistently regardless of the protected characteristics described here, including familial status—which covers households with children under 18, pregnant applicants, and those in the process of obtaining legal custody. Understanding that 'housing accommodation' is defined broadly to include improved and unimproved real property means these protections extend across a wide range of residential situations, not just traditional apartment rentals.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Renters and housing applicants in Peoria benefit from knowing the definitions set out in § 17-72, because those terms determine the scope of protection available under the city's fair-housing division. For example, the definition of 'familial status' makes clear that households with children, pregnant individuals, and those pursuing legal custody of a minor are all covered—meaning differential treatment of those groups in rental or leasing transactions may constitute discrimination under § 17-71. Tenants who believe they have experienced unequal treatment in a housing transaction may explore options such as filing a complaint with a local human relations body, raising a violation as a defense in a housing proceeding, or consulting a tenant-rights organization for 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.
Effective Timeline
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