(A) The language set forth in the text of this chapter shall be interpreted in accordance with the following rules of construction:
(1) The singular number includes the plural number, and the plural the singular.
(2) The word "shall" is mandatory; the word "may" is permissive.
(3) The masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter.
(B) Whenever in this chapter the following words and phrases are used, they shall, for the purposes of this chapter, have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section, except when the context otherwise indicates:
AGGRIEVED PERSON. Includes any person who claims to have been injured by a discriminatory housing practice or believes that he will be injured by a discriminatory housing practice that is about to occur.
BROKER. Includes any person licensed by the State of Illinois to perform an action on behalf of another person regarding any matter related to the sale or rental of dwellings, including offers, solicitations, or contracts, and the administration of matters regarding such offers, solicitations or contracts, or any residential real-estate-related transactions.
BUILDING. A structure, facility, or portion thereof that contains or serves one or more dwelling units.
CHARGE. An allegation contained in a complaint.
CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION. Includes and shall be limited to only those specific acts set forth in this chapter.
DEPARTMENT. The Department of Community Development of the Village of Schiller Park.
DIRECTOR. The Director of the Community Development Department or his duly authorized agent.
DISABILITY. With respect to a person, a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such an impairment, or being regarded as having such an impairment.
COMPLAINANT. A person who files a complaint.
COMPLAINT. The document filed by a complainant with the Department.
CONCILIATION. The attempted resolution of issues raised by a complaint or the investigation of such charge, through informal negotiations involving the aggrieved party, the respondent, and the Department.
CONCILIATION AGREEMENT. A written agreement setting forth the resolution of the issues in conciliation.
DISCRIMINATION. To treat any person differently from others because of race, color, sex, gender identity, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, familial status, military discharge status or source of income.
DWELLING or DWELLING UNIT. One or more rooms in a building, not in a house trailer or mobile home, which are arranged, designed, used or intended for use exclusively for residential occupancy, and which includes at least one permanently installed bathroom with tub or shower and toilet facilities and no more than one kitchen.
EXTERIOR. All areas of a premises outside of an individual dwelling unit.
FAMILIAL STATUS. One or more individuals who have not attained the age of 18 years being domiciled with:
(a) A parent or a person having legal custody of such individual or a person who is in the process of obtaining legal custody of such individual;
(b) The designee of such parent or other person having such custody, with the written permission of such parent or other person; or
(c) A person who is pregnant or in the process of securing legal custody of any individual who has not attained the age of 18.
HEARING. That part of an adjudicative proceeding that involves the submission of evidence, either by oral presentation or written submission, and includes the submission of briefs and oral arguments on the evidence and applicable law.
HOUSING ACCOMMODATION. Includes any improved or unimproved real property or part thereof which is used or occupied or is intended, arranged, or designed to be used or occupied as the home or residence of one or more individuals.
LEASE. Includes any sublease, assignment, or rental, and any contract to enter into any of such.
LOAN. Includes but is not limited to the providing of funds, for consideration, which are:
(a) Sought for the purpose of purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing, or maintaining a housing accommodation;
(b) Sought for any commercial or industrial purposes; or
(c) Secured by residential real estate.
MARITAL STATUS. The legal status of being married, separated, or unmarried.
NATIONAL ORIGIN. The place in which a person or one of such person's ancestors was born.
OFFER. Means and includes every attempt by means of written or oral communications to present for acceptance or rejection, to hold out or proffer, to make a proposal to, or to exhibit real estate that may be taken or received with the intention of ultimately entering a real estate transaction.
OWNER. Any person who holds legal or equitable title to or who owns any beneficial interest in any real estate or who holds legal or equitable title to shares of or any beneficial interest in an entity which owns any real estate.
PERSON or PARTY. Includes any one or more individuals, corporations, partnerships,
associations, labor organizations, legal representatives, mutual companies, joint-stock companies, trusts, unincorporated organizations, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy, receivers, and fiduciaries.
PROTECTED CLASSES. Includes all persons legally protected against discrimination.
REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION. The purchase, sale, fee, or equitable title to or beneficial interest in or rental or lease of any real property or an option to do any of such or any negotiation, listing, contract, or agreement in connection therewith. The term "real estate transaction" also includes the brokering or appraising of residential real property and the making or purchasing of loans or providing other financial assistance for purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing, or maintaining a dwelling or secured by residential real estate.
REAL PROPERTY. Includes buildings, structures, real estate, tenements, leaseholds, interests in real estate cooperatives, condominiums, and hereditaments, corporeal and incorporeal, or any interest therein.
RELIGION. Includes all aspects of religious observance and practice, as well as belief, and all aspects of religious nonobservance, nonpractice, and nonbelief.
RESPONDENT.
(a) The person or other entity against whom a discriminatory housing practice has been alleged in a complaint.
(b) Any other person or entity identified in the course of investigation and notified, as required pursuant to this chapter.
SEX. The male or female status of an individual human being.
SOLICIT or SOLICITATION. For purposes of this chapter, the term "solicit" or "solicitation" shall not refer to communication carried
out by means of print or electronic media of general circulation, such as a newspaper, radio, television, or the yellow pages, but does mean any other communication. Any communication by or on behalf of a real estate agent with the owner or occupant of a dwelling which is:
(a) Intended to induce the sale or rental of such dwelling;
(b) Intended to offer or promote services in connection with the sale, rental, or listing of such dwelling; and
(c) Carried out by means of:
1. In-person contacts at the dwelling;
2. Written material mailed or delivered directly to the dwelling, such as direct mail, leaflets, or pamphlets; or
3. Telephone contacts with owners or occupants of the dwelling.
TO RENT. Includes to lease, to sublease, to let, and to otherwise grant for consideration the right to occupy premises not owned by the occupant.
(Ord. 06-2574, passed 5-9-06)