Champaign — Ch. 17 Human Rights § 17-73
Blockbusting and steering
Operative Text
It shall be unlawful for any person, whether or not acting for monetary gain, directly or indirectly to engage in the practice of "blockbusting" or "steering", including but not limited to committing of any one or more of the following acts: (1) To promote, induce, influence or attempt to promote, induce or influence a transaction in real property through any representation, means or device whatsoever calculated to induce a person to discriminate or to engage in such transaction wholly or partially in response to discrimination, prejudice, fear or unrest adduced by such means, device or representation. (2) To place a sign or display any other device either purporting to offer or tending to lead to the belief that an offer is being made for a transaction in real property that is not in fact available or offered for transaction, or which purports that any transaction in real property has occurred that in fact has not. (3) To represent that a change has occurred, will occur or may occur with respect to the composition of the owners or occupants in any block, neighborhood or area in which real property, which is the subject of a real estate transaction, is located if such representation is based on discrimination. (4) To represent that a change with respect to the composition of the owners or occupants in any block, neighborhood or area will result in a lowering of property values, in an increase in criminal or anti-social behavior, or in a decline in the quality of schools in such block, neighborhood or area if such representation is based on discrimination. (5) To solicit for sale, lease, listing or purchase, any residential real estate within the City, on the grounds of loss of value due to the prospective entry into the vicinity of the property involved of any person or persons of any particular age, color, creed, familial status, family responsibilities, marital status, matriculation, natural origin, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, personal appearance, political affiliation, prior arrest record, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or source of income.
Champaign Ch. 17 § 17-73 prohibits a set of real estate practices collectively known as blockbusting and steering. These practices involve using fear, prejudice, or discriminatory representations to manipulate people's decisions about buying, selling, or renting property — for example, falsely implying that a neighborhood's demographics are shifting in ways that will lower property values or increase crime. The prohibition applies to anyone engaged in these activities, whether or not they are being paid, and covers both direct and indirect conduct.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Champaign Ch. 17 § 17-73, property owners and managers who list, sell, or lease residential real estate are expected to avoid any communications — written, verbal, or through signage — that invoke protected characteristics to influence a transaction. Compliant operators ensure that marketing materials accurately represent what is available and do not suggest demographic changes as a reason to act. Training staff and agents to recognize blockbusting and steering tactics is a common practice among operators seeking to stay within the bounds of this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Champaign Ch. 17 § 17-73 gives tenants and prospective buyers protection against being manipulated through discriminatory scare tactics when seeking housing. If a landlord, agent, or any other party uses representations about neighborhood demographics, property values, or crime tied to protected characteristics to pressure a housing decision, that conduct may constitute a violation of this provision. Individuals who believe they have experienced blockbusting or steering can document the communications involved and explore options such as filing a complaint with the Champaign Human Relations Commission or consulting a tenant-rights organization for guidance.
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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