Which of the following is a violation of the Illinois Human Rights Act?

Charging different fees based on tenant demographics is a violation of the Illinois Human Rights Act because it constitutes discrimination. The Act is designed to prevent discrimination based on specific protected classes, such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status, among others. When fees are assessed differently depending on the demographic characteristics of tenants, it creates an inequitable treatment that directly contradicts the principles of fair housing and equal opportunity that the Act upholds.

This type of discriminatory practice not only unfairly targets individuals based on their demographic features, but it also perpetuates systemic inequality in housing access. The emphasis is on the equal treatment of all applicants, regardless of their background, which is fundamental to securing fair and just residential environments.

On the other hand, the other options do not violate the Illinois Human Rights Act in the same way. Rejecting an application based on income may be a business decision, reflecting the financial criteria that landlords often set to ensure tenants can meet their lease obligations. Not allowing pets regardless of tenant history is generally a decision made by landlords based on property policies and is not inherently discriminatory. Conducting background checks on all applicants is a common practice utilized by landlords to evaluate potential tenants and does not violate the Act, provided