Evanston, Ill., City Code § 5 § 5-5-8
DISCRIMINATION IN LENDING (Evanston Housing Regulations)
Operative Text
It shall be unlawful and a violation of this Chapter for any lending institution to discriminate in making, agreeing to make, arranging, or negotiating any loan or guarantee of funds for the purpose of financing the purchase or sale, construction, lease, rehabilitation, improvement, renovation, or repair of any real property, or to offer, seek or agree to terms, conditions or privileges that discriminate on account of race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, source of income, familial status or national origin. (See Section 5-5-6 (C) of this Chapter.)
Evanston, Ill., City Code § 5 § 5-5-8 prohibits lending institutions from treating applicants differently—whether in approving, arranging, or setting the terms of a loan—based on characteristics such as race, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, source of income, familial status, or national origin. The rule covers financing for a wide range of real-property transactions, including purchases, construction, leases, and repairs. Any such differential treatment constitutes a violation of the Chapter's fair-lending requirements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who work with or refer clients to lending institutions should be aware that Evanston, Ill., City Code § 5 § 5-5-8 extends fair-lending obligations to the full range of real-estate financing activities, including rehabilitation and renovation loans. Compliant operators generally avoid steering prospective buyers or tenants toward particular lenders based on protected characteristics and refrain from conditioning referrals on discriminatory lending practices. Familiarity with the protected classes enumerated in this provision—including source of income and gender identity—helps ensure that business relationships with lenders remain consistent with Evanston's anti-discrimination framework.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Evanston, Ill., City Code § 5 § 5-5-8, tenants and prospective buyers have the right to seek financing for real-property transactions without facing discrimination based on characteristics such as race, disability, source of income, or sexual orientation. If a lender appears to have offered different terms or denied financing on the basis of a protected characteristic, that conduct may constitute a violation of this Chapter, and Section 5-5-6(C) outlines related enforcement mechanisms. General enforcement paths can include filing a complaint with the City of Evanston, consulting a tenant-rights or fair-housing organization, or exploring remedies available under applicable state and federal fair-lending laws.
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.
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