765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 755 § 10
Prohibited conduct
Operative Text
Prohibited conduct. (a) This Section does not prohibit a landlord from complying with any legal obligation under federal, State, or local law, including, but not limited to, any legal obligation under any government program that provides for rent limitations or rental assistance to a qualified tenant or a subpoena, warrant, or other court order. (b) This Section does not prohibit a landlord from requesting information or documentation necessary to determine or verify the financial qualifications of a prospective tenant. (c) This Section does not prohibit a landlord from delivering to the tenant an oral or written notice regarding conduct by the tenant that violates, may violate, or has violated an applicable rental agreement, including the lease or any rule, regulation, or law. (d) This Section does not enlarge or diminish a landlord's right to terminate a tenancy pursuant to existing State or local law, nor does this Act enlarge or diminish the ability of a unit of local government to regulate or enforce a prohibition against a landlord's harassment of a tenant. (e) Nothing in this Section prevents a landlord from seeking to collect rent due under the lease agreement. (f) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, a landlord shall not: (1) unless required by law or court order, threaten to disclose or actually disclose information regarding or relating to the immigration or citizenship status of a tenant to any person, entity, or any immigration or law enforcement agency with the intent of harassing or intimidating the tenant, retaliating against the tenant for exercising his or her rights, or influencing the tenant to surrender possession; or(2) unless required by law or court order, bring an action to recover possession of a dwelling unit based solely or in part on the immigration or citizenship status of a tenant.(g) Any waiver of a right under this Act by a tenant is void as a matter of public policy.
Section 10 of 765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 755 draws a clear line between permissible landlord conduct and prohibited conduct related to a tenant's immigration or citizenship status. Landlords retain the right to comply with legal obligations, verify financial qualifications, communicate lease violations, collect rent, and pursue eviction under existing law. However, the provision prohibits landlords from threatening to disclose or actually disclosing a tenant's immigration or citizenship status—or from filing a possession action based on that status—when the purpose is to harass, intimidate, retaliate, or pressure the tenant to vacate, unless a law or court order requires such action. Any attempt by a tenant to waive these protections is automatically void under Illinois public policy.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 755 § 10, compliant operators continue to screen applicants for financial qualifications, issue lease-violation notices, collect rent, and pursue eviction through lawful channels without restriction. Operators also remain free to comply with federal, state, or local legal obligations—including government rent-assistance programs, subpoenas, warrants, or court orders—that may require disclosing tenant information. What operators must avoid is using a tenant's immigration or citizenship status as a tool of pressure: threatening disclosure, actually disclosing that status to immigration or law enforcement, or filing a possession action based on that status, when the purpose is to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against the tenant.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 10 of 765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 755 gives Illinois tenants protection against landlords who might use immigration or citizenship status as leverage—whether through threats of disclosure, actual disclosure to authorities, or eviction filings grounded in that status rather than legitimate lease violations. Importantly, any agreement you sign that purports to waive these rights is void under Illinois public policy, meaning the protection cannot be contracted away. Tenants who believe a landlord has violated § 10 may consider documenting the conduct, contacting a local tenant-rights organization, or exploring complaint and legal defense options available under Illinois law.
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 2, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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