Rockford — Part I Ch. 11 Human Rights § 11-84
Blockbusting
Operative Text
It is unlawful for any person to: (a) Solicit for sale, lease, listing or purchase any residential real estate within this state, on the grounds of loss of value due to the present or prospective entry into the vicinity of the property involved of any person of any particular race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status or handicap; (b) Distribute or cause to be distributed, written material or statements designed to induce any owner of residential real estate in this state to sell or lease his property because of any present or prospective changes in the race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status or disability of residents in the vicinity of the property involved; or (c) Intentionally create alarm, among residents of any community, by transmitting communications in any manner, including a telephone call whether or not conversation thereby ensues, with a design to induce any owner of residential real estate in this state to sell or lease his property because of any present or prospective entry into the vicinity of the property involved of any person of any particular race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status or disability.
Rockford — Part I Ch. 11 Human Rights § 11-84 prohibits a practice known as 'blockbusting,' in which someone attempts to pressure property owners into selling or leasing by suggesting that the arrival of people of a particular race, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, or disability status will harm property values or change the character of a neighborhood. The rule covers three distinct tactics: direct solicitation based on such fears, distribution of written materials designed to stoke those fears, and deliberate communications—including phone calls—intended to create alarm among residents. Any person engaging in these practices, not just licensed real estate professionals, is subject to this prohibition.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Rockford should be aware that under § 11-84, they are protected from blockbusting tactics and are also prohibited from engaging in them. A compliant operator does not solicit, distribute materials, or make communications that invoke protected characteristics—such as race, religion, or disability—as a reason to sell or lease a property. Operators who receive suspicious solicitations referencing neighborhood demographic changes may document those contacts, as such conduct may itself constitute a violation of this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Rockford — Part I Ch. 11 Human Rights § 11-84, tenants and community members have a right to be free from communications or written materials designed to create fear about who is moving into their neighborhood as a means of pressuring property transactions. If a tenant or resident believes they have been subjected to blockbusting tactics—such as alarming phone calls or flyers referencing the protected characteristics of incoming neighbors—they may consider reporting the conduct to the appropriate local human rights or fair housing authority. Tenant-rights organizations and fair housing agencies can help residents understand what options are available under this provision.
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.
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