Can a landlord refuse Section 8 or housing voucher holders?

In Chicago, refusing housing solely because an applicant uses a housing voucher or another lawful income source may be unlawful; file with the Commission on Human Relations to investigate.

How long do I have to file a complaint?

Time limits for filing vary by procedure; the public guidance pages do not list a single statutory deadline and you should contact the enforcing agency promptly to confirm any deadlines.

Will filing a complaint stop an eviction immediately?

Filing a complaint does not automatically halt an eviction; you should seek legal advice and, if needed, emergency relief through the courts while pursuing administrative remedies.

Chicago Source of Income Tenant Rights

Housing and Building Standards Illinois 4 Minutes Read · published February 04, 2026

Chicago, Illinois tenants are protected from discrimination based on source of income under the citys housing and civil-rights enforcement framework. This guide explains how the law applies in Chicago, which city office enforces the rule, what actions tenants can take when a landlord refuses housing because of lawful income sources (such as Section 8 vouchers, social security, child support, or other lawful benefits), and practical steps to file a complaint and seek remedies.

What "Source of Income" Means in Chicago

Source of income refers to the origin of a tenants funds used to pay rent, including government housing assistance, subsidies, Social Security, pensions, wages, and third-party payments. Chicago treats source-of-income discrimination as a form of unlawful housing discrimination where it is covered by the municipal ordinance and enforced through the citys human relations process. For the controlling municipal language and authority see the City of Chicago municipal code and Commission on Human Relations resources ^[1]^[2].

Landlords cannot refuse applicants solely because rent is paid from a lawful program or benefit.

How the Rule Applies to Landlords and Rentals

Covered actions typically include refusing to rent, setting different terms, advertising preferences that exclude certain income sources, or evicting a tenant because of their income source. The rule applies to advertised listings, tenant screening, lease terms, and renewals when source of income is a protected consideration under the applicable ordinance or department policy.

Lease offers and advertisements must not state a preference or limitation based on source of income.
Tenant screening criteria must be applied consistently regardless of whether rent is paid by a third party or benefit program.
Eviction or nonrenewal specifically motivated by lawful income sources may be challenged as discriminatory.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement is handled by the City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR) or other designated municipal offices. The municipal code and department pages describe the investigative and enforcement process but do not always list fixed fine amounts on the public guidance pages; where monetary penalties or specific fine schedules are not listed on the cited official pages, they are noted below as "not specified on the cited page." For ordinance text and enforcement authority see the municipal code and CCHR resources ^[1]^[2].

Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page.
Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offences and their ranges are not specified on the cited page.
Non-monetary sanctions: orders to cease discriminatory practices, injunctive relief, damages awards and administrative remedies are available under city enforcement procedures; exact remedies vary by case and are described by the enforcing office.
Enforcer: City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations. File complaints or request information via the CCHR intake and complaint pages ^[2].
Appeal/review: appeal routes and time limits for administrative decisions are set by the enforcement procedure; specific time limits are not specified on the cited page.
Defences/discretion: lawful business justifications that are objectively necessary and nondiscriminatory may be considered; permit or variance processes are case-specific.

If you believe you faced source-of-income discrimination, file a complaint with the Commission on Human Relations promptly.

Applications & Forms

No single publicly posted universal form for source-of-income housing complaints is listed on the municipal guidance page; the CCHR provides complaint intake instructions and may publish an intake form or online portal on its website. See the enforcing office for the current filing method and any applicable deadlines ^[2]. If a specific complaint form or code section is required it will be noted on the agency page.

Action Steps for Tenants

Document the incident: save emails, texts, ads, screening notices, or statements showing the refusal or differential treatment.
Request a written explanation from the landlord if one was not provided.
File a complaint with the Commission on Human Relations using the agencys intake procedure ^[2].
Consider civil options: consult an attorney or legal aid to discuss damages, injunctions, or court actions; legal clinics can advise on deadlines.

FAQ

Can a landlord refuse Section 8 or housing voucher holders?: In Chicago, refusing housing solely because an applicant uses a housing voucher or another lawful income source may be unlawful; file with the Commission on Human Relations to investigate.
How long do I have to file a complaint?: Time limits for filing vary by procedure; the public guidance pages do not list a single statutory deadline and you should contact the enforcing agency promptly to confirm any deadlines.
Will filing a complaint stop an eviction immediately?: Filing a complaint does not automatically halt an eviction; you should seek legal advice and, if needed, emergency relief through the courts while pursuing administrative remedies.

How-To

Gather evidence: collect texts, emails, ads, lease offers, and any communication showing the refusal.
Contact the Commission on Human Relations for intake information and submit your complaint as instructed on the agency page ^[2].
If immediate eviction is at issue, contact tenant legal aid and consider filing for emergency court relief while the administrative complaint proceeds.
Follow the agencys investigation process and respond to requests for more information; keep records of all submissions.

Key Takeaways

Chicago treats source-of-income discrimination as a serious housing issue enforceable by city agencies.
File complaints with the Commission on Human Relations promptly and preserve all evidence.
Monetary fines and specific schedules are not listed on the public guidance pages; remedies depend on enforcement outcomes.