SPRINGFIELD – To protect tenants from eviction and combat human rights violations, State Senator Karina Villa advanced a measure that would restrict crime-free and nuisance property ordinances (CFNOs).
“While the objective of these ordinances is to reduce crime, reports have demonstrated that they violate the rights of tenants, disproportionately impacting survivors of domestic violence, people living with disabilities and Black and Latino individuals,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Misguided crime-free housing and nuisance property ordinances put the lives of vulnerable and working-class families at risk.”
CFNOs often require landlords to deny housing, evict, fine or penalize tenants for general connection to criminal activity or for repeated law enforcement contact. The breadth of these ordinances leads to unfair penalties and evictions, which disproportionately affect vulnerable groups who are more likely to contact law enforcement agencies.
Senate Bill 2264 would prohibit municipalities, counties and housing authorities from adopting a CFNO that imposes penalties against a landlord or a tenant due to calling 911, criminal activity the tenant did not perpetrate, a tenant’s association with another person or a tenant’s arrest record that is already in violation of the Illinois Human Rights Act.
“Illinoisans should not should not fear being evicted from their homes, especially for calling 911,” said Villa. “Without stable housing, the physical, mental and behavioral well-being of families can break down, resulting in even greater public safety concerns. The adverse effects of CFNOs are clear.”
Senate Bill 2264 passed the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday.
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