Lake County promotes fair housing and seeks to comply with all federal and state housing laws, ordinances, and executive orders. Lake County recognizes and appreciates the value of a diverse population. This diversity can only be maintained and expanded if all individuals have equal access to a broad range of housing in thriving communities. The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice was a multi-faceted study performed to provide Lake County stakeholders with a description of the resident population and identify both existing impediments to fair housing choice and potential actions to address the identified impediments. The Lake County Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice was adopted by the Lake County Board on November 11, 2014 and the updated Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice 2020.

 In December 2019 the Lake County Board established and adopted the Lake County Fair Housing Policy Statement which outlines Lake County’s commitment to promoting fair housing in its programs and housing development activities.    

 Lake County seeks to comply with the existing federal and state laws and executive orders that define protected classes for housing in Lake County which include:

• Age Discrimination Act of 1975
• Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
• Architectural Barriers Act of 1968
• Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Executive Order 11063, 12892, 13166
• Housing and Community Development Act of 1974
• Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Illinois Human Rights Act
  

Population of Protected Classes

"Protected class” is defined as a group of people who are protected from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation as a result of their membership in that group. Although most anti-discrimination laws were initially passed in response to the unfair treatment of racial minorities, every person is a member of at least one protected class and therefore entitled to protection under the law.  For Lake County, these protected classes are as follows: race, gender, age, religion, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, military status, familial status, victims of sexual harassment, and victims of domestic violence.

Real Estate Transactions

Please note that residential real estate-related transactions protected by the Fair Housing Act, per the Federal Housing Administration include the following:

• The making or purchasing of loans or providing other financial assistance: for purchasing, construction, improving, repairing, or maintaining a dwelling; or secured by residential real estate.
• The selling, brokering, or appraising of residential real property

The Illinois Human Rights Act states that real estate transactions include the sale, exchange, rental or lease of real property.