Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a new law on August 21, 2019, to protect immigrant renters in Illinois, effective immediately. The Immigrant Tenant Protection Act prohibits landlords from evicting or striking back against a tenant based on their citizenship or immigration status.
Pritzker said the new law will help make Illinois a “firewall” against President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration policies:
“Where you were born has nothing to do with the ability to pay rent on time – which is what the relationship between a landlord and a tenant should really be about.” I’m proud that in signing this bill, we’re making Illinois the first state in the Midwest to protect our immigrant tenants and give them a little more relief in these tumultuous times. Here in Illinois, we are, and always will be, a welcoming state.”
The law also prohibits landlords from evicting or retaliating against tenants based on their immigration status. Landlords are barred from disclosing or threatening to disclose immigration status to any law enforcement or immigration agency such as ICE.
Pritzker campaigned on immigrants’ rights and has signed other laws to protect immigrants’ rights including a law barring privately-run immigration detention facilities in Illinois. Illinois is now the second state to protect immigrant tenants, California previously signed the Immigrant Tenant Protection Act.
The immigration attorneys at Godoy Law Office fight for rights of immigrants in Illinois and help immigrants navigate the complex and numerous immigration policies, procedures, and regulations. If you need help with an immigration issue, please contact our office at 855-554-6369
