Willow Springs — Ch. 12-1 Discrimination and Housing § 12-1-3
BLOCKBUSTING
Operative Text
It is a violation for any person to: Solicit for sale, lease, listing or purchase any residential real estate within this Village, on the grounds of loss of value due to the present or prospective entry into the vicinity of the property involved of any person or persons of any particular race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status or handicap. Distribute or cause to be distributed, written material or statements designed to induce any owner of residential real estate in this Village to sell or lease his or her property because of any present or prospective changes in the race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status or handicap of residents in the vicinity of the property involved. 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 Village to sell or lease his or her property because of any present or prospective entry into the vicinity of the property involved of any persons of certain national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status or handicap.
Willow Springs Ch. 12-1 § 12-1-3 prohibits a practice known as 'blockbusting,' in which someone attempts to pressure or persuade property owners to sell or lease by suggesting that the neighborhood's character is changing due to the arrival of people of a particular race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, or disability. The rule covers solicitations, written materials, and intentional communications—including phone calls—designed to stoke fear or alarm about demographic change. Any person who engages in these tactics, not just licensed real estate professionals, can be found in violation of this provision.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Willow Springs should be aware that § 12-1-3 applies to anyone involved in real estate activity, including those who hire or direct agents. Compliant operators ensure that no solicitations, mailers, or communications sent on their behalf reference neighborhood demographic changes as a reason to sell or lease. Keeping records of marketing materials and agent instructions can help demonstrate that outreach practices align with the anti-blockbusting standards set out in Ch. 12-1.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents of Willow Springs who receive unsolicited calls, letters, or other communications suggesting they should sell or leave because of who is moving into the neighborhood may have grounds to report a violation of § 12-1-3. Tenants and homeowners alike are protected by this provision, and a complaint can generally be raised with the Village of Willow Springs or a relevant local authority. Tenant-rights organizations and fair housing advocacy groups can help individuals understand what documentation to gather and what reporting options may be available under Ch. 12-1.
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 8, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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