Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 6-10 § 6-10-110
Construction of chapter provisions (Chicago Human Rights Ordinance (HRO))
Operative Text
The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed for the accomplishment of the purpose hereof. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit rights granted under the laws of the State of Illinois or the United States. (Prior code § 199-11; Added Coun. J. 12-21-88, p. 23526; Amend Coun. J. 4-27-22, p. 46382, § 11)
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 6-10 § 6-10-110 establishes that the entire chapter is to be read broadly and in favor of achieving its protective purposes. It also makes clear that nothing in the chapter cuts off or diminishes any rights that residents or property owners may hold under Illinois state law or federal law. In effect, this provision acts as a floor, not a ceiling, for the protections available under the chapter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 6-10 § 6-10-110, operators subject to this chapter should be aware that its requirements are interpreted expansively by design, meaning ambiguous provisions tend to be read in favor of the chapter's protective goals. Compliant operators generally account for obligations arising not only from this chapter but also from applicable state and federal housing laws, since § 6-10-110 preserves all such rights. Staying current with Illinois and federal requirements alongside the municipal code is a common practice among property managers operating in Chicago.
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 § 6-10-110 signals that tenants' rights under this chapter are meant to be interpreted generously, and that any protections available under Illinois or federal law remain fully intact alongside local protections. This means a tenant may have multiple overlapping sources of rights — municipal, state, and federal — none of which are waived by the existence of the others. Tenants who believe their rights have been violated may explore options such as contacting a local tenant-rights organization, raising a violation as a defense in a legal proceeding, or consulting resources provided by the Chicago Department of Housing.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.