SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Graciela Guzmán’s bill to create new protections for renters and prospective renters passed the Senate Sunday.
“When we talk about housing, we are not just talking about buildings or leases, we are talking about safety,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “We are talking about dignity. We are talking about whether people have a real chance to rebuild their lives.”
House Bill 4377 combines several impactful measures to protect tenants in Illinois. First, the measure would prohibit federal housing assistance providers from establishing or implementing any rules, policies or procedures that impose time limits or work requirements as a condition of initial or continued eligibility for any rent subsidy or assistance provided to qualifying tenants. This portion of the bill was spearheaded by State Senator Ram Villivalam.
“By implementing protections against rigid work requirements, we are re-affirming basic human rights and ensuring vulnerable Illinoisans don’t have to work unsustainable hours just to have a roof over their head,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago).
In addition, a measure introduced by State Senator Steve Stadelman – which became part of this bill – would prevent landlords from requiring tenants to pay fees to a broker, collect payment at the direction of a landlord and ensures the individual who hires the broker is responsible for the cost.
“This is a straightforward consumer protection measure built around a simple principle: the person who hires a service should pay for it,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “The bill doesn’t prevent anyone from working with a broker or leasing agent. It simply ensures that renters aren’t forced to cover costs that belong to someone else.”
Finally, Guzmán’s measure would provide that it is a civil rights violation to unlawfully discriminate against a prospective tenant because of a person's history of experiencing domestic or sexual violence. According to Illinois Legal Aid, people who have survived domestic violence, stalking or sexual assault might also face barriers to their housing because of these abuses. People who rent their homes are three times more likely to face violence than people who own their homes.
“This is about survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence and gender based violence,” said Guzmán “No survivor should be denied a chance at safety, stability and a new home because of what someone else did to them.”
House Bill 4377 has passed the Senate Sunday and heads to the House for concurrence.
