Cal. Civ. Code § 3-103
Blockbusting. It is a civil rights violation for any person to: (A) Solicitation. Solicit for sale, lease, listing or purchase any residential real estate within this State, on the grounds of loss of value due to the present or prospective entry into the vicinity of the property involved of any person or persons of any particular race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, immigration status, source of income, or disability. (B) Statements. Distribute or cause to be distributed, written material or statements designed to induce any owner of residential real estate in this State to sell or lease the owner's property because of any present or prospective changes in the race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, immigration status, source of income, or disability of residents in the vicinity of the property involved. (C) Creating Alarm. Intentionally create alarm, among residents of any community, by transmitting communications in any manner, including a telephone call whether or not conversation thereby ensues, with a design to induce any owner of residential real estate in this state to sell or lease the owner's property because of any present or prospective entry into the vicinity of the property involved of any person or persons of any particular race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, immigration status, source of income, or disability
Operative Text
Blockbusting. It is a civil rights violation for any person to: (A) Solicitation. Solicit for sale, lease, listing or purchase any residential real estate within this State, on the grounds of loss of value due to the present or prospective entry into the vicinity of the property involved of any person or persons of any particular race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, immigration status, source of income, or disability. (B) Statements. Distribute or cause to be distributed, written material or statements designed to induce any owner of residential real estate in this State to sell or lease the owner's property because of any present or prospective changes in the race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, immigration status, source of income, or disability of residents in the vicinity of the property involved. (C) Creating Alarm. Intentionally create alarm, among residents of any community, by transmitting communications in any manner, including a telephone call whether or not conversation thereby ensues, with a design to induce any owner of residential real estate in this state to sell or lease the owner's property because of any present or prospective entry into the vicinity of the property involved of any person or persons of any particular race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, immigration status, source of income, or disability.
775 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 § 3-103 prohibits a practice known as "blockbusting," in which someone attempts to pressure property owners into selling or leasing by suggesting that the neighborhood's character or property values will change because people of a particular race, religion, national origin, immigration status, source of income, disability, or other protected characteristic are moving into the area. The prohibition covers three distinct tactics: soliciting real estate transactions based on such fears, distributing written materials designed to stoke those fears, and intentionally creating alarm through any form of communication — including phone calls — to achieve the same end. This rule applies to any person engaging in these practices anywhere in Illinois, regardless of whether they are a licensed real estate professional.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Illinois should be aware that under 775 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 § 3-103, receiving blockbusting solicitations — whether by mail, phone, or other communication — is itself a recognized civil rights concern, and responding to such pressure is not required. Compliant operators generally document and disregard unsolicited contacts that appear designed to induce a sale or lease based on the protected characteristics of incoming or current neighbors. Real estate professionals working with or on behalf of property owners are also bound by this provision, so operators typically ensure that any agents or brokers they engage are aware of these prohibitions.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants and prospective tenants benefit from 775 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 § 3-103 because blockbusting tactics can destabilize neighborhoods and displace residents by manipulating property owners into selling or converting rental housing. If a tenant believes they have witnessed or been affected by blockbusting conduct — such as a landlord being pressured to sell based on the demographics of the tenant population — they may consider filing a complaint with the Illinois Department of Human Rights, which enforces the Illinois Human Rights Act. Tenant-rights organizations can also help explain available remedies and general enforcement paths under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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