Champaign — Ch. 17 Human Rights § 17-59
Exceptions
Operative Text
Nothing contained in this article shall prohibit a financial institution from considering sound underwriting practices in contemplation of any loan to any person. Such practice may include the following criteria: (1) The willingness and the financial ability of the borrower to repay the loan; (2) The market value of any real estate or other item of property proposed as security for any loan; or (3) Diversification of the financial institution's investment portfolio.
Section 17-59 of Champaign's Chapter 17 Human Rights ordinance carves out a specific exception to the article's general fair-lending rules. Under this exception, financial institutions are permitted to apply standard underwriting criteria—such as a borrower's repayment ability, the market value of collateral, and portfolio diversification—when evaluating loan applications. The provision clarifies that using these financially grounded factors does not constitute a violation of the article's anti-discrimination requirements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
For property owners or managers who interact with financial institutions in connection with real estate financing, § 17-59 confirms that lenders may lawfully apply conventional underwriting standards when reviewing loan requests. A compliant lender generally documents its evaluation of borrower creditworthiness, collateral value, and portfolio considerations as part of its standard review process. Understanding this exception can help property owners anticipate what financial institutions are permitted to assess under Champaign's Chapter 17 framework.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 17-59 establishes that lenders retain the right to use legitimate financial criteria—like repayment capacity and property value—when deciding on loans, even within the broader protections of Champaign's Chapter 17 Human Rights ordinance. If a tenant or prospective borrower believes a lender has gone beyond these permitted criteria and engaged in discriminatory lending practices, the broader article's protections may still apply. Tenant-rights organizations and fair-housing agencies can help individuals understand whether a lender's conduct falls within or outside the bounds of this exception.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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