FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 13, 2025
Housing Action Illinois Contact: Kristin Ginger, Director of Communications and Development, 312-854-3333 (office), kristin@housingactionil.org
CLCCRUL Contact: Zindy Marquez, Director of Communications, 312.202.3657 (office), zmarquez@clccrul.org
CHICAGO, IL – Today, the Community Safety Through Stable Homes Coalition released a critical report titled “The Discriminatory Enforcement of Illinois’ Crime-Free and Nuisance Property Ordinances” describing the harms that Crime-Free and Nuisance Property Ordinances (CFNOs) cause. CFNOs are local laws that force or pressure landlords to evict tenants based on 911 calls or alleged “nuisance” activity, even without evidence, charges, arrests, or convictions. The report highlights the urgent need to enact stronger statewide protections for groups most at risk from the enforcement of CFNOs. The Illinois General Assembly is considering the Community Safety Through Stable Homes Act (SB 2264), which would protect tenants’ right to call for emergency services, protect families from eviction, and ensure due process for renters. This bill is an important step to safeguard civil rights at the state level as civil rights protections and enforcement are being gutted nationwide.
The authors of this report are members of the Community Safety Through Stable Homes Coalition, a group of grassroots, fair housing, victim service, and legal aid organizations from across the state that are seeking to finally end the harmful enforcement of CFNOs.
“Crime-free housing ordinances do not create safe communities – instead, they punish renters for calling for emergency services and destabilize families,” said Jacob Cantor, Legal Fellow with Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights. “These ordinances violate civil rights and other state laws and there is no evidence that they reduce crime. Illinois must pass SB 2264 to ensure people are protected from unfair enforcement and that families can get the help they need without the fear of losing their home.”
Some key findings from the report include:
- CFNOs punish renters for calling 911 for help, whether they need the police or emergency medical services. This puts survivors of domestic and sexual violence, as well as people with disabilities, at risk.
- CFNOs are often triggered solely by arrest or other contact with law enforcement without any convictions or proof of wrongdoing, which disproportionately harms renters of color who are more likely to be arrested or interact with the police.
- The fear of eviction caused by CFNOs discourage renters from calling the police or emergency services, making communities less safe.
- For the above reasons, the enforcement of CFNOs across Illinois violates state and federal civil rights laws including the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Fair Housing Act, and the Violence Against Woman Act.
In Illinois, 57% of municipalities with a population over 20,000 have a CFNO. These ordinances are often passed and implemented when there are actual or perceived changes in racial demographics. This trend means that diversifying communities across the state are at risk of increased enforcement from these ordinances.
“No one should have to choose between calling 911 for help and keeping their home,” said Dominic Voz, Director of Fair Housing at Open Communities. “Crime-free housing ordinances put survivors of violence and other vulnerable renters at risk by making them afraid to seek emergency assistance. It’s time for Illinois to pass additional protections for renters to stop the harmful enforcement of these ordinances.”
The Community Safety Through Stable Homes Coalition is urging Illinois lawmakers to pass SB 2264, the Community Safety Through Stable Homes Act. Every renter deserves the right to call for help without the fear of losing their home. This legislation is a crucial step toward ensuring housing stability, protecting civil rights, and making communities safer for all.
Read the full report here.
Read the one-pager here.
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Housing Action Illinois: Housing Action is a statewide coalition that has been leading the movement to end homelessness, address the shortage of affordable rental housing, and expand homeownership opportunities in Illinois for more than 35 years. Our 190+ member organizations include housing counseling agencies, homeless service providers, developers of affordable housing, and policymakers. We bring everyone together to work toward our vision of an Illinois where everyone has a stable, good home.
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights: Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights is a non-partisan, non-profit group of civil rights lawyers and advocates working to secure racial equity and economic opportunity for all. We provide legal representation through partnerships with the private bar, and we collaborate with grassroots organizations and other advocacy groups to implement community-based solutions that advance civil rights. For more information, visit www.clccrul.org or call (312) 630-9744.