South Holland — Ch. 8.5 Housing § 8.5-53
Advertisements, signs, notices
Operative Text
It shall be unlawful to make, print, circulate, or publish, or cause to be made, printed, or published, any written or oral notice, statement, or advertisement, with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, familial status, marital status, national origin, or age, or an intention to make such preference, limitation, or discrimination. Discriminatory notices, statements and advertisements include, but are not limited to: (1) Using words, phrases, photographs, illustrations, symbols, or forms which convey that dwellings are available or not available to a particular group of persons because of race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, familial status, marital status, national origin, or age. (2) Expressing to agents, brokers, employees, prospective sellers or renters or any other persons a preference for or limitation on any purchaser or renter because of race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, familial status, marital status, national origin, or age of such persons. (3) Selecting media or locations for advertising the sale or rental of dwellings which deny particular segments of the housing market information about housing opportunities because of race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, familial status, marital status, national origin, or age. (4) Refusing to publish advertising for the sale or rental of dwellings, or requiring different charges or terms for such advertising because of race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, familial status, marital status, national origin, or age.
South Holland Ch. 8.5 Housing § 8.5-53 makes it unlawful to create, distribute, or publish any advertisement, notice, or statement—written or oral—related to the sale or rental of a dwelling that signals a preference, limitation, or discrimination based on protected characteristics such as race, religion, sex, disability, familial status, marital status, national origin, or age. The prohibition covers not just explicit statements but also subtle signals conveyed through word choices, images, symbols, media selection, or the selective withholding of advertising from certain audiences. Refusing to publish housing ads or charging different rates for them based on these protected characteristics is also expressly covered under this provision.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under South Holland Ch. 8.5 Housing § 8.5-53, compliant property owners and managers review all advertising materials—including photos, language, and symbols—to ensure nothing signals a preference for or against any protected class. Operators generally select advertising channels and media placements that reach the broadest possible cross-section of the housing market, avoiding strategies that effectively exclude protected groups from learning about available units. Communications with brokers, agents, and other intermediaries are also subject to this rule, so consistent, neutral messaging across all channels is a hallmark of compliant practice.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
South Holland Ch. 8.5 Housing § 8.5-53 gives prospective renters the right to be free from discriminatory advertising when seeking housing, including subtle forms of exclusion such as biased imagery or strategically limited media placement. If a tenant or housing applicant encounters an advertisement, notice, or statement that appears to signal a preference or limitation based on a protected characteristic, that conduct may constitute a violation of this provision. General enforcement paths can include filing a complaint with a local fair housing authority or human relations commission, raising the violation through applicable administrative channels, or consulting a tenant-rights or fair housing organization for guidance on available options.
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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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