Campaign Purpose

Spring and summer are when most Chicagoans are moving, renewing leases, or apartment-hunting—and when housing discrimination most often occurs. Pro Se Assistant meets renters before problems escalate, delivering clear, practical education on housing rights and early documentation.

This campaign turns legal education into an approachable, high-energy public experience—so people stop, learn, and remember.

🎭 Booth Experience (High-Engagement Design)

Visual Hook

• Staff in themed costumes (Chicago icons, “Know Your Rights” characters, or playful “Inspector” looks)
  
  

• Bold signage: “Denied an Apartment? Know Your Rights.”
  
  

• QR codes linking to ProSeAssistant.org resources
  
  

Interactive Elements

• Spin-to-Win Wheel (topics like Credit, Fees, Repairs, Security)
  
  

• Rights Trivia (win small prizes by answering housing-rights questions)
  
  

• Mini-Teach-Ins (3–5 minute talks every hour)
  
  

• Story Board (“What happened to you?” — anonymous, optional)
  
  

Giveaways

• Pocket cards: “Chicago Renter Rights — Quick List”
  
  

• Stickers & buttons with QR codes
  
  

• Flyers with early-action templates (repair, pests, security demand letters)
  
  

• Festival-friendly swag (fans, tote cards, lanyards)
  
  

🗣️ Public Speaking Programming

Short Talks (5–10 minutes)

• “What Landlords Can’t Do in Chicago”
  
  

• “Credit Scores: What’s Legal vs. Discrimination”
  
  

• “Why Application Fees Matter — and When They’re Wrong”
  
  

• “Document Early or Lose Leverage”
  
  

Longer Workshops (20–30 minutes, scheduled)

• Know Your Rights: Apartment Hunting Edition
  
  

• How to Create a Paper Trail That Protects You
  
  

• What to Do Before You’re Forced to Move
  
  

All talks are educational, non-legal-advice, and focused on early intervention.

🎯 Audience

• Renters searching for apartments
  
  

• Lease-renewal households
  
  

• Voucher holders
  
  

• Students & first-time renters
  
  

• Families facing rising rents
  
  

• Workers relocating for seasonal jobs
  
  

📣 Key Messages

• Housing justice is self-defense
  
  

• Document early = leverage later
  
  

• Chicago renters have strong protections
  
  

• Don’t wait until it’s “too late”
  
  

📊 Impact Goals

• Reach 10,000+ renters through festivals and pop-ups
  
  

• Distribute rights materials citywide
  
  

• Drive early documentation before displacement
  
  

• Build awareness that discrimination carries consequences
  
  

🤝 Why This Works

Festivals create low-barrier access to information. Costumes, contests, and giveaways break intimidation around legal topics, while short talks ensure people leave with actionable knowledge they can use immediately.

What We Offer 

1. Housing Discrimination Guidance

We help renters identify signs of illegal discrimination, including:

• refusal to accept vouchers
  
  

• higher credit requirements for certain applicants
  
  

• discouraging statements from brokers
  
  

• refusal to show units
  
  

• different treatment based on race, gender, disability, or background
  
  

• illegal use of criminal records
  
  

• “unit just rented” excuses
  
  

• steering to certain neighborhoods

2. Pro Se Document Support

We help renters prepare:

• statements and timelines
  
  

• letters requesting written denial reasons
  
  

• evidence packets
  
  

• complaint forms for:
  
  

  • Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR)
    
    

  • Cook County Human Rights Commission
    
    

  • Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR)
    
    

  • HUD Fair Housing
    
    

• emails to landlords requesting documentation
  
  

• scripts for communication and showings

3. Case Navigation Support

We walk renters through:

• how to file a discrimination complaint in Cook County Courts
  
  

• what evidence is needed
  
  

• how to describe events clearly
  
  

• common mistakes to avoid
  
  

• what happens after filing
  
  

• how to respond to government investigators
  
  

• how to stay organized throughout the case

4. Housing Rights Coaching

We provide educational coaching on:

• what to say during apartment showings
  
  

• how to handle illegal screening questions
  
  

• how to ask for a denial in writing
  
  

• how to identify discriminatory behavior in real time
  
  

• how to respond safely and professionally

An Example Of How Pro Se Assistant Provides Educational Support

A renter contacts Pro Se Assistant because they believe they were denied an apartment due to having a Housing Choice Voucher.
The renter fill out our intake form and explains what happened, shares the emails or text messages they received, and identifies the company or property manager involved.

Pro Se Assistant then:

• Helps them organize their documents into a timeline (tour date, application date, denial date, communications, etc.).
  
  

• Provides educational materials explaining what information agencies like CCHR, IDHR, or HUD typically require.
  
  

• Shows them how to locate the correct public complaint forms on the official agency websites.
  
  

• Guides them in understanding deadlines, filing options, and next steps (in educational terms only).
  
  

• Helps the renter prepare their own narrative by giving examples of how to structure events clearly and factually.
  
  

• Provides checklists so the renter knows what they may need before filing.
  
  

• Helps them understand where and how they can file their own complaint if they choose to proceed.
  
  

• Offers referrals to legal aid if the renter is eligible or wants attorney representation.
  
  

The renter completes, signs, and submits all filings themselves.
Pro Se Assistant never prepares documents, reviews filings for accuracy, or gives legal advice.

Example of Pro Se Assistant in Action (Court Filing Scenario)

Client Situation (Fictional Example)

A renter contacts Pro Se Assistant and explains:

• They applied for an apartment with a voucher
  
  

• They were told “we don’t work with vouchers”
  
  

• They uploaded screenshots of the texts, emails, and denial notice
  
  

• They want to send a demand letter before filing a discrimination complaint in court
  
  

The client tells the story entirely in their own words during the intake process.

Pro Se Assistant reviews the uploaded files only to understand what the client is describing so that we can generate the correct educational template.

We do NOT assess whether discrimination occurred.

We do NOT interpret laws or provide legal guidance.

Provided To Client

Sample Demand Letter Template (Based on Client’s Stated Facts)

(Client completes, edits, and uses at their own direction.)

Your Name
Your Address
City, State, ZIP
Email
Phone
Date

Property Management Company Name
Address
City, State, ZIP

Re: Request for Explanation Regarding Apartment Application Denial

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing regarding my application for the apartment located at [client fills in address], submitted on [date]. Based on the communications I received on [date], I was informed that my application was denied because [description the client stated].

Per my records:

• On [date], I submitted all required documents.
  
  

• On [date], I received a message stating: “[client inserts actual quote from text/email].”
  
  

• On [date], I asked for clarification and received: “[client inserts quote].”
  
  

I am requesting a written explanation for the basis of the denial and copies of all documents, screening reports, or criteria used to evaluate my application. I am also requesting confirmation of whether the property accepts Housing Choice Vouchers, as advertised.

Please provide this information within 7 days of receiving this letter.

Thank you,
[Client Name]

⭐ Step 3 — Client Uses the Template to Create Their Own Final Letter

The client:

• edits the template
  
  

• adds their real facts
  
  

• signs it
  
  

• sends it
  
  

• keeps a copy for their case
  
  

• decides whether to file in court
  
  

Pro Se Assistant takes no part in creating the final legal document.

⭐ Disclaimer 

Pro Se Assistant does not provide legal advice, does not prepare legal documents, and does not tell clients what to file or how to argue their case. All templates are educational and must be completed, reviewed, and filed solely at the client’s discretion.

We provide clerical and educational support to help clients represent themselves. We offer tools, templates, resources, and guidance that help individuals understand the housing discrimination process and confidently prepare their own pro se filings.