April Marks 40th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.– In an official gubernatorial proclamation, Governor Rod Blagojevich has declared April 2008 as Fair Housing Month in Illinois, urging all citizens to embrace diversity and acknowledging the 60,000 members of the Illinois Association of REALTORS for their role in educating the public about their rights and responsibilities under the fair housing laws.

“This April marks the 40th anniversary of the passage of the U.S. Fair Housing Act and celebrates another year dedicated to protecting the rights of citizens throughout Illinois,” said Kay Wirth, president of the Illinois Association of REALTORS. “REALTORS follow a strict code of ethics and play a vital role in ensuring fair housing for all. We’re on the ‘front lines,’ working with buyers and sellers to see that they can choose where they want to live free from discrimination.”

Established by Congress in 1968, the U.S. Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, and handicap, and encourages fair housing opportunities for all citizens. In 1988, the law was amended to prohibit discrimination based on disability and familial status.

The Illinois Human Rights Act further safeguards the rights of all citizens of this state from discrimination due to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental handicap, military status, sexual orientation, or unfavorable discharge from military service in connection with employment, real estate transactions, access to financial credit, and the availability of public accommodations.

The Illinois Association of REALTORS, together with its nonprofit affordable housing foundation the Partnership for HomeOwnership, has developed a public Web site at www.TheHousingSite.org where Illinois citizens and professionals in the real estate industry can find the state and federal laws, regulations and housing related services gathered in one place. The Illinois Association and National Association of REALTORS have a long history of partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and fair housing groups to support equal access to all.

“The membership of the Illinois Association of REALTORS fully supports rigorous fair housing enforcement,” said Wirth. “It is our pledge to uphold the spirit as well as the letter of the law, through programs and training designed to promote equal opportunity in housing.”

The Illinois Association of REALTORS is a voluntary trade association whose 60,000 members are engaged in all facets of the real estate industry. In addition to serving the professional needs of its members, the Illinois Association of REALTORS works to protect the rights of private property owners in the state by recommending and promoting legislation that safeguards and advances the rights of real property ownership.

-30-

Download a copy of Governor Blagojevich's Proclamation "April is Fair Housing Month in Illinois (PDF)."