Lawsuits allege ‘no eviction’ policies discriminate against Black rental applicants

In Cook County, Black renters faced nearly triple the likelihood of experiencing an eviction case than non-Black renters.

By Lynnea Domienik
Lawsuits allege ‘no eviction’ policies discriminate against Black rental applicants
A "For Rent" sign is displayed outside a building in Philadelphia, June 22, 2022. The cost of renting an apartment is easing after skyrocketing in recent years, though it remain painfully high for many Americans. The U.S. median rent rose 2.4% in January 2023 from a year earlier to $1,942, the lowest annual increase since June 2021, according to data from Rent, which tracks listings for apartment and rental houses. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) Associated Press
Lawsuits allege ‘no eviction’ policies discriminate against Black rental applicants
A "For Rent" sign is displayed outside a building in Philadelphia, June 22, 2022. The cost of renting an apartment is easing after skyrocketing in recent years, though it remain painfully high for many Americans. The U.S. median rent rose 2.4% in January 2023 from a year earlier to $1,942, the lowest annual increase since June 2021, according to data from Rent, which tracks listings for apartment and rental houses. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) Associated Press

Lawsuits allege ‘no eviction’ policies discriminate against Black rental applicants

In Cook County, Black renters faced nearly triple the likelihood of experiencing an eviction case than non-Black renters.

By Lynnea Domienik
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New lawsuits filed against two large landlords — one in Oak Park and one in Chicago — allege the businesses discriminate against Black women due to policies that bar all applicants with an eviction filing in their records.

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GUESTS: Dennericka Brooks, director of the Housing Practice Group at Legal Aid Chicago

Emily Werth, senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Illinois