Evanston, Ill., City Code tit. 5 (2026) § 5-5-9
REFUSALS TO DEAL IN LENDING (Evanston Housing Regulations)
Operative Text
It shall be unlawful and a violation of this Chapter for any lending institution to refuse to negotiate for, enter into, or perform any agreement to lend or guarantee the loan of funds for the purchase, sale, construction, lease, rehabilitation, improvement, renovation, or repair of any real property because of discrimination on account of race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, source of income, familial status or national origin.
Section 5-5-9 of the Evanston City Code makes it illegal for lending institutions to refuse to negotiate or complete loan agreements for real estate transactions when that refusal is motivated by a borrower's membership in a protected class. The protected characteristics covered include race, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, source of income, and several others. The rule applies across a wide range of real estate financing activities, from home purchases to repairs and renovations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Evanston City Code § 5-5-9, property owners who work with or refer clients to lending institutions should be aware that those lenders are prohibited from declining to negotiate or finalize real estate loans based on protected characteristics. Compliant operators generally document their lending referral practices and avoid steering borrowers toward institutions with discriminatory track records. Familiarity with this provision can help property managers recognize when a financing denial may warrant further scrutiny.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Evanston City Code § 5-5-9 gives tenants and prospective buyers a legal basis to challenge a lender's refusal to negotiate or complete a real estate loan if that refusal appears tied to a protected characteristic such as race, disability, or source of income. Individuals who believe they have experienced such discrimination may consider filing a complaint with a local fair housing organization or a relevant government agency. Consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with Evanston's fair lending rules can help clarify what documentation and options may be available.
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 14, 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.