Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Illinois

I own a 6 unit building in Waukegan, Illinois and I have a tenant that wants a dog. Her doctor said that she should get a companion animal because of her disability - our lease has a no pet policy. In researching the internet I found that there are some exemptions to the law in regard to fair housing. I believe that since I do my own advertising and my mother lives in one of the units that I should not have to comply (owner occupied) with fair housing, however, no one can give me a straight answer in regard to this exception. She has since obtained free counsel and they are trying to twist my arm into making a reasonable accommodation. I know that ADA recognizes service animals and fair housing recognizes therapeutic pets but what is the law in regard to companion pets. Please advise as to if there is some one that can answer this question an which laws apply.


Asked on 8/28/14, 7:56 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Stephen Messutta

This is not the ADA, which has to do with employment and places of public accomodation. It has to do with the Fair Housing Act, which is also a civil rights act. There are some exemptions but for a complete analysis you'd have to sit with an attorney; FHA issues are often complicated, as you've discovered.

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Answered on 9/25/14, 2:36 pm


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