The Illinois Safe Homes Act
 
The purpose of the Safe Homes Act is to enable victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, or stalking and their families to flee existing dangerous rental housing or make their current rental housing safe.  This law allows tenants and members of their households who are survivors of violence to:

1. Vacate their housing and terminate their lease early to protect their physical safety and emotional well-being; and
2. Change the locks on an emergency basis to keep the perpetrator out of the home.

Protect Your Privacy

Your current landlord is not allowed to disclose to your next landlord that:

• you gave your current landlord information (medical record, victim services, rape crisis statement) about the violence; and
• you exercised your rights under the Safe Homes Act.

Even if you give your landlord private information, it remains confidential. Without your written permission or a legal requirement, your current landlord is not allowed to disclose any of this information to your next landlord. If your current landlord so discloses, the landlord is liable for actual damages resulting from the disclosure up to $2,000.

Safe Homes Act Brochure

*For more information or to get assistance filing a complaint under the Safe Homes Act, contact the Shriver Center.