SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois landlords would be prohibited from using tenants’ immigration status as a means of harassment or retaliation under legislation sponsored by state Rep. Theresa Mah, D-Chicago.

“Immigrant families who contribute to our economy and the diversity of our neighborhoods deserve to feel safe in their own home,” said Mah. “This measure will protect families from landlords operating in bad faith, who threaten to disclose their tenants’ immigration status in order to force an eviction.”

Mah’s Senate Bill 1290 prohibits landlords from reporting, or threatening to report, their tenants’ real or perceived immigration status as a means of retaliation against renters who ask for repairs. Given the amount of personal information landlords have access to, including a tenant’s credit score, criminal history, rental history and employment background, the measure will protect immigrant families from exploitation under the threat of being reported to immigration officials.

Senate Bill 1290 previously passed both houses of the General Assembly but was vetoed by Gov. Rauner.

“As President Trump continues to insult and dehumanize immigrant families, it’s important for Illinois to send the message that all are welcome here,” said Mah. “I am committed to enacting this bill into law so that families in our community don’t have to live in fear of losing their home.”

Mah is serving her second term representing the 2nd District, which includes the Chicago neighborhoods of McKinley Park, Pilsen, Chinatown, Bridgeport, Brighton Park and Back of the Yards. For more information, please contact Mah’s district office at 872-281-5775.

CHICAGO, Ill. – In an effort to protect immigrant communities who rent their homes, state Rep. Theresa Mah, D-Chicago, has introduced legislation to create guidelines that would prohibit a landlord from evicting a tenant based on immigration status.

“The fact of the matter is that we need to be looking for solutions to help immigrant families who are living in fear,” said Mah.  “This legislation will lay out the guidelines so that families can sleep better at night and to help reduce fears of being cast out on the street because of their immigration status.”

House Bill 5519 creates the Immigrant Tenant Protection Act.  The legislation states that a landlord will not be able to require a tenant to disclose his or her immigration status.  Further, the legislation also forbids landlords from intimidating, harassing, or evicting a tenant because of his or her immigration status.  Supporters of the bill argue that the measure does not inhibit any currently stated reasons a landlord may evict a tenant, but simply creates guidelines for the more “gray” areas where greater protections are needed.

“At the end of the day, we need to be standing up for our immigrant communities and making sure that we are doing what we can to keep families together,” said Mah.  “Immigrant communities need protections and we need to send a strong message that we have their back.”

For more information, please contact Mah’s constituent service office at (872) 281-5775.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, member of the Latino Caucus, released the following statement after the Illinois Trust Act, Senate Bill 31, was signed into law:

“Thanks to the tireless efforts of community leaders and advocates across the state, Illinois now has the strongest statewide protections for immigrants in the country. The Illinois Trust Act will benefit all Illinois residents regardless of race, gender, or religion. It will allow families who are here raising children and contributing to our state’s economy to feel safe to go about their daily lives without the fear of being separated from their loved ones.

“Immigrants from all walks of life have made tremendous gains in the last few decades, but these gains are under attack at both the state and federal level. Even as the governor signs this bill, he has refused to speak out against the extremism of the Trump Administration, and he has unilaterally slashed funding for services immigrant communities rely on. Courageous leadership will be required to improve access to vital public investments like Welcoming Centers, and other integration services that aid new immigrants. So we must ensure that these services aren’t gutted in the budgets we craft as they empower people with the tools they need to become contributing members of society.

“While times may be difficult, we must remain hopeful in what can be accomplished when we come together to ensure that all people be treated equally, fairly, and above all, humanely. And the Illinois Trust Act sends a clear message to those seeking to divide us that in Illinois, diversity and inclusivity are valued over hate and intolerance.”