(A) In furthering the policy of the State of Illinois as expressed in its Constitution and other laws; in order that the peace, health, safety and general welfare of all the inhabitants of the City may be protected and insured; it is hereby declared the policy of the City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois to assure equal opportunity to all residents, regardless of race, religion, national origin or ancestry, to live in decent, sanitary, and healthful living quarters.
(B) It is further declared to be the policy of the City that no owner, lessee, sub-lessee, assignee, managing agent, or other person, firm or corporation having the right to sell, rent, lease, or otherwise control any housing accommodation, within the City, or any agent of any of these, should refuse to sell, rent, lease, or otherwise deny to or withhold from any person or group of persons such housing accommodations because of the race, religion, national origin or ancestry of such person or persons or discriminate against any person because of his race, religion, national origin or ancestry in the terms, conditions, or privileges of the sale, rental or lease of any housing accommodation or in the furnishing of facilities or services in connection therewith.
(C) In furthering the policy of the City of Mt. Vernon, this Council and its Commission on Human Relations shall endeavor to work with, and cooperate with Real Estate Associations, individual members thereof, lending institutions, and all others engaged in dealing with housing accommodations in the City, in a spirit of harmony, to the end that the declared purpose of this ordinance be accomplished in an orderly, lawful, and proper fashion.
(Prior Code, Art. 2, § 2.9(I))