Pro Se Assistant is not a law firm. We are not attorneys, do not provide legal advice, and do not prepare legal documents for clients. This newsletter summarizes publicly available information for educational purposes only. Renters should consult licensed attorneys or official agencies for legal guidance. 

⭐ CHICAGO HOUSING JUSTICE ALERTS — DECEMBER 2025 EDITION

A Community Newsletter by Pro Se Assistant
Keeping Chicago renters informed, empowered, and connected

🔥 MAJOR UPDATE: Housing Rights Initiative Files 176 Voucher Discrimination Complaints in the Chicago Area

In January 2025, the Housing Rights Initiative (HRI) launched one of the largest housing discrimination enforcement actions in Chicago history. After a months-long undercover investigation, HRI filed 176 complaints against 165 property management companies, landlords, brokerages, and leasing agencies across the Chicago metropolitan area.

These complaints involve allegations that companies illegally refused or discouraged renters with Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV/Section 8) — a direct violation of:

• the Illinois Human Rights Act,
  
  

• the Cook County Human Rights Ordinance,
  
  

• the Chicago Fair Housing Ordinance, and
  
  

• potentially the federal Fair Housing Act.
  
  

All complaints were filed with government agencies using documented, publicly verifiable evidence gathered by testers posing as renters.

This enforcement campaign affects every part of Chicago, from the North Side to the South Side, including suburban Cook County.

⭐ Where These Cases Come From (Public Sources Only)

All information in this report is gathered exclusively from public news reports, publicly filed complaints, and official agency publications, including:

🔗 FOX 32 Chicago:
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/section-8-discrimination-chicago-area

🔗 Disability Rights Advocates (DRA):
https://dralegal.org/press/chicago-housing-discrimination-filing/

Pro Se Assistant does not investigate companies or verify allegations. All entries are sourced from publicly available records.

⭐ How Many Cases Were Filed?

• 176 individual discrimination complaints
  
  

• 165 companies or agents named
  
  

• Filed with:
  
  

  • Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR)
    
    

  • Cook County Commission on Human Rights (CCCHR)
    
    

  • Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR)
    
    

These complaints are administrative filings, not lawsuits, but they can lead to:

• fines
  
  

• penalties
  
  

• required policy changes
  
  

• mandatory training
  
  

• damages to renters
  
  

• escalated legal action
  
  

• 🔎 HOW RENTERS CAN LOOK UP HOUSING DISCRIMINATION CASES

Below are step-by-step instructions for Chicago renters to search public records in the same way investigative journalists do.

⭐ 1. How to Look Up Cases with the Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR)

CCHR cases are public once the Commission issues findings.

Steps:

1. Visit the CCHR “Adjudications” search portal:
   🔗 https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cchr/provdrs/adjudications.html
   
   

2. Search by:
   
   

   • respondent name (property company or landlord)
     
     

   • case type (Housing)
     
     

   • year (2024/2025)
     
     

3. Download official public documents if available.
   
   

⭐ 2. How to Look Up Cases with the Cook County Commission on Human Rights (CCCHR)

Cook County publishes final orders and findings.

Steps:

1. Go to the CCCHR site:
   🔗 https://www.cookcountyil.gov/agency/commission-human-rights
   
   

2. Search for:
   
   

   • “Housing Discrimination”
     
     

   • “Source of Income”
     
     

3. Check the Housing section for newly posted determinations.
   
   

⭐ 3. How to Look Up Cases with the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR)

IDHR does not publish full complaints, but renters can:

Steps:

1. Submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request online:
   🔗 https://www2.illinois.gov/idhr/Pages/FOIA.aspx
   
   

2. Include:
   
   

   • company name
     
     

   • “January 2025 HRI voucher discrimination complaints”
     
     

   • any known location info
     
     

3. IDHR will release any public records they can legally disclose.
   
   

⭐ 4. How to Look Up Federal PDF Filings (Only If Case Escalates)

If any case reaches federal court:

Steps:

1. Go to PACER: https://pacer.uscourts.gov
   
   

2. Create a free account
   
   

3. Search by:
   
   

   • company name
     
     

   • attorney name (if known)
     
     

   • “housing” or “fair housing”
     
     

4. Download filings (small fees apply)