(a) The City Council shall establish a Human Relations Commission in accordance with 65 ILCS 5/11-11.1-1 . It is hereby declared to be the policy of the City and the purpose of this chapter, in the exercise of the City's police and regulatory powers for the protection of the public safety, health, morals, and welfare, and for the maintenance and promotion of commerce, industry, education, healthcare, good government and other public services in the City, to secure for all persons living and/or working or desiring to live and/or work in the City a fair opportunity to purchase, lease, rent or occupy real estate without discrimination based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex (including sexual harassment), pregnancy, age (40 and over), order of protection status, marital status, sexual orientation (including gender-related identity), military status, unfavorable military discharge, disability, arrest record, familial status, citizenship status and source of income.
(b) The mission of the Human Relations Commission shall be to foster and promote understanding, mutual respect, cooperation and positive relations between and among all residents of the City of Freeport, regardless of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex (including sexual harassment), pregnancy, age (40 and over), order of protection status, marital status, sexual orientation (including gender-related identity), military status, unfavorable military discharge, disability, arrest record, familial status, citizenship status and source of income, to the end that a sense of shared community among residents is strengthened, mutual trust toward each other is promoted, the value of each individual is affirmed and the constitutional rights of all are realized.
(Ord. 2024-09. Passed 3-18–24.)