Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 6-10 § 6-10-025
Gender identity option in City documentation (Chicago Human Rights Ordinance (HRO))
Operative Text
(a) No form issued by the City shall ask an individual's sex unless it is necessary for medical reasons, a legitimate governmental purpose, or required by another law. (b) The City may ask for the gender identity of an individual when it is necessary for medical reasons, a legitimate governmental purpose, or required by another law. (c) Where selection of gender identity from predetermined options is required by design of any City form, the gender identity options on said forms shall include "male", "female", and "nonbinary". (d) Where honorifics or titles are made available on any City form, the City shall recognize and make available in any list of predetermined options the gender-neutral honorific "Mx". (e) Where templates are used to create identification cards, business cards, stationery, letterheads, or other personalized documentation, said templates shall include designated space for pronouns. Where selection of pronouns from predetermined options is required by design of any form or template, the pronoun options on said form or template shall include "he/him", "she/her", and "they/them". (f) For purposes of this section, "a legitimate governmental purpose" includes, but is not limited to, the collection of demographic information for reporting on the diversity of employees within the City government or for providing better services to the public. (Added Coun. J. 10-7-20, p. 21440, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 4-27-22, p. 46382, § 11; Amend Coun. J. 9-21-22, p. 51935, § 1)
Under Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 6-10 § 6-10-025, City-issued forms are generally prohibited from asking about a person's sex unless medical necessity, a legitimate governmental purpose, or another law requires it. When gender identity is collected, forms must offer at least "male," "female," and "nonbinary" as options, and honorific lists must include the gender-neutral title "Mx." Templates used for identification cards, business cards, and similar personalized documents must reserve space for pronouns, with predetermined options including "he/him," "she/her," and "they/them."
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who interact with City of Chicago permitting, licensing, or documentation processes should be aware that Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 6-10 § 6-10-025 governs how the City itself structures its official forms and templates. While this provision directly regulates City-issued documentation rather than private landlord forms, compliant operators who use or reference City forms will encounter gender identity options, the "Mx" honorific, and pronoun fields as standard features. Understanding these requirements can help property managers communicate accurately with City agencies and set appropriate expectations when completing official paperwork.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 6-10 § 6-10-025 establishes that City of Chicago forms generally may not ask for a person's sex without a specific justification, and that when gender identity is requested, nonbinary options and the honorific "Mx" must be available. Tenants interacting with City agencies—such as when filing housing complaints or accessing City services—have a basis to expect these inclusive options on official documentation. Those who believe a City form does not comply with this provision may consider raising the issue with the relevant City department or consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with Chicago municipal law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 12, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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