HB1603 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 06364 JRC 16400 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB1603

Introduced 1/28/2025, by Rep. Yolonda Morris

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

765 ILCS 705/35 new

Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act. Prohibits a landlord or lessor from refusing to rent to, deny housing to, or impose conditions on a lessee or tenant based on the breed of a dog or dogs in residential housing that contains more than 3 units of housing. Provides that nothing in the Act affects the ability of a unit of local government to enforce provisions of the Animal Control Act regarding a dangerous dog or vicious dog. Provides that if a lessor or landlord violates these provisions, upon request of the affected lessee or tenant, the Illinois Housing Development Authority must investigate the matter. Provides that if the Authority finds that a lessor or landlord has violated the Act, it must commence an action or proceeding in the circuit court of the county in which the premises are situated to stop the violation either by mandamus or injunction. Provides that the amendatory Act applies to a renewal or modification of residential leases that contain more than 3 units of housing after the effective date of the Act and for new residential leases entered into after that date.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning civil law.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Landlord and Tenant Act is amended by adding Section 35 as follows:

(765 ILCS 705/35 new)

Sec. 35. Restriction on dog breeds.

(a) In this Section:

(1) "Dangerous dog" has the same meaning as in the Animal Control Act.

(2) "Dog" has the same meaning as in the Animal Control Act.

(3) "Vicious dog" has the same meaning as in the Animal Control Act.

(b) A landlord or lessor may not refuse to rent to, deny housing to, or impose conditions on a lessee or tenant based on the breed of a dog or dogs in residential housing that contains more than 3 units of housing.

(c) Nothing in this Section affects the ability of a unit of local government to enforce provisions of the Animal Control Act regarding a dangerous dog or vicious dog.

(d) If a lessor or landlord violates the provisions of this Section, upon request of the affected lessee or tenant, the Illinois Housing Development Authority must investigate the matter. If the Authority finds that a lessor or landlord has violated this Section, it must commence an action or proceeding in the circuit court of the county in which the premises are situated to stop the violation either by mandamus or injunction.

(e) This Section applies to a renewal or modification of residential leases that contain more than 3 units of housing after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly and to new residential leases entered into after that date.