Hazel Crest — Ch. 14 Housing § 14-53
Hearings
Operative Text
Within forty (40) calendar days after the administrator refers a complaint to the fair housing review board pursuant to section 14-51 , that agency shall, upon due and reasonable notice to all parties, conduct a hearing on the complaint. Parties to the hearing shall be the complainant and respondent, and such other persons as the fair housing review board may deem appropriate. The hearing shall be open to the public, or the board, either on its own motion or at the request of the parties, [shall] provide for a closed hearing pursuant to the provisions of the Illinois Municipal Code and the Illinois Open Meetings Act. At least ten (10) days before the hearing, the fair housing review board shall serve upon the respondent a statement of charges and a summons requiring the attendance of the named persons and the production of relevant documents and records. The parties may apply to the fair housing review board to have subpoenas issued in the fair housing review board's name, which subpoenas may be served by any police officer of the village or by any person authorized to serve a subpoena under Illinois law. Failure to comply with a summons or subpoena shall constitute a violation of this article. The parties may file such statements with the fair housing review board as they deem necessary. No fewer than three (3) of the same members of the fair housing review board must be present at all times during a hearing. The parties may appear before the fair housing review board in person or by a duly authorized representative, and may be represented by legal counsel. The parties shall have the right to present witnesses and cross-examine witnesses, and all testimony and evidence shall be given under oath or by affirmation.
Hazel Crest Ch. 14 Housing § 14-53 establishes the procedural framework for fair housing complaint hearings. Once a complaint is referred to the fair housing review board, a hearing must be scheduled within 40 calendar days, with reasonable advance notice to all parties. The hearing is generally open to the public, though a closed session is permitted under Illinois law, and both sides have the right to present and cross-examine witnesses under oath, be represented by counsel, and compel the attendance of witnesses and production of documents through subpoenas.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Hazel Crest Ch. 14 Housing § 14-53, a respondent in a fair housing complaint — which may include a property owner or manager — can expect to receive a formal statement of charges and a summons at least ten days before the scheduled hearing. Compliant operators generally ensure they respond to any summons or subpoena promptly, as failure to comply is itself a violation of the article. Property owners typically appear at the hearing in person or through an authorized representative and may retain legal counsel to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Hazel Crest Ch. 14 Housing § 14-53 gives complainants — which may include tenants who have filed a fair housing complaint — the right to participate fully in a hearing before the fair housing review board within 40 days of the complaint being referred. Complainants may appear in person or through an authorized representative, retain legal counsel, present witnesses, and cross-examine the other side's witnesses, with all testimony given under oath. Tenants who believe their fair housing rights are at issue may also apply to the board to have subpoenas issued, and can consult a tenant-rights organization for general guidance on navigating the hearing process.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation