Recently, the Cook County Board of Commissioners amended the Cook County Human Rights Ordinance to expand the definition of “national origin” to include associated physical, cultural or linguistic characteristics. This amendment extends protection beyond the place where someone or their ancestors were born. Now, both actual and perceived traits are also protected.
Previously, the definition of national origin focused primarily on protecting against discrimination based on the location an individual or their ancestors came from. Cook County’s Board of Commissioners made the amendment to expand protected traits to include one’s physical appearance, lifestyle norms such as religion and social or dietary customs, and one’s primary spoken or written language. National origin protections are applicable to housing, the workforce, credit transactions, and access to Cook County facilities, services, and programs.
For housing providers to be compliant with this ordinance, they cannot treat individuals differently based on their national origin by refusing or delaying processing a potential tenant’s application, refusing to rent to future tenants, misrepresent the availability of a unit, or evict or refuse to renew a lease. This amended ordinance also provides that employers cannot ask questions about an individual’s national origin during interviewing, nor can they require employees to only speak English (unless it’s needed for operation) or require employees to not speak a specific language. Additionally, employers cannot refuse to hire someone, deny merited positions, or refuse or vary job assignments based on national origin. Finally, the Cook County government cannot discriminate against any individual based on national origin by excluding them from Cook County facilities, services, and programs.
If you have any questions about this Amendment or any other legal concerns, do not hesitate to contact Costello Sury & Rooney today at 630.384.8331 or admin@csrlawfirm.com to discuss.
This article is being provided for informational purposes only. This article does not constitute legal advice on the part of Costello Sury & Rooney. or any of its attorneys. No association, board member or any other individual or entity should rely on this article as a basis for any action or actions. If you would like legal advice regarding any of the topics discussed in this article and/or recommended procedures for your association going forward, please contact our office.