HB 5394 Illinois House · 104th Regular Session

HUM RTS-CREDIT SCORES

Summary
Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that it is a civil rights violation under the Act to refuse to lease or rent real property or otherwise discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of a real estate transaction by using an applicant's credit score or credit history as a disqualifying factor if that applicant's source of income includes a local, State, or federal housing subsidy. "Housing subsidy" includes, but is not limited to, housing choice vouchers, permanent supportive housing program placements, or rapid rehousing subsidies. Provides that use of credit scores or history to deny a rental application to a person with a housing subsidy is a violation of the Act as it constitutes a practice that subjects individuals to discrimination based on source of income without a legitimate, nondiscriminatory necessity.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 6, 2026 Last action Apr 17, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to formally add new definitions for 'Arrest record' and 'Conviction record' to the general definitions section, while also reorganizing the structure of the Act to include these changes in a new section. The core policy regarding housing subsidies and credit scores remains intact but is now referenced within a broader, updated framework of civil rights definitions.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded by formally codifying definitions for arrest and conviction records, which clarifies how these factors are treated under the Act, though the specific prohibition on using credit scores for subsidized housing applicants remains the primary substantive policy.
DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for 'Arrest record' and 'Conviction record' to clarify what criminal history information is protected or restricted under the Act.

Added a new definition for 'Disability' that explicitly links the concept to the ability to acquire, rent, or maintain housing, strengthening protections for tenants with disabilities.

Added new definitions for 'Marital status', 'Military status', 'National origin', and 'Order of protection status' to expand the list of protected classes.

STRUCTURE

Reorganized the bill's structure by changing the section number for the general definitions and adding a new section for civil rights violations related to real estate.

TECHNICAL

Removed the original standalone text for the credit score provision, as it was integrated into the new, restructured definition of civil rights violations.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
23
Key actions
6
Committee
9
Amendments
4
Apr 17, 2026
Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
lower
Apr 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted
lower
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Immigration & Human Rights Committee; 008-002-000
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Immigration & Human Rights Committee
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Committee
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Introduced
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Kevin John Olickal
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Immigration & Human Rights Committee; 008-003-000
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Immigration & Human Rights Committee; by Voice Vote
lower
Mar 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Immigration & Human Rights Committee
lower
Mar 23, 2026
Committee
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
lower
Mar 23, 2026
Introduced
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Kevin John Olickal
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Committee
Assigned to Immigration & Human Rights Committee
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Committee
Referred to Rules Committee
lower
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors