CAIR-Chicago Settles Case Against Homeowner’s Association

CAIR-Chicago Civil Rights Coordinator Christina Abraham successfully settled a case against a suburban Homeowner’s Association in Chicago after a Muslim man complained of having been subjected to discrimination in the way Association enforced its rules. The man had built a basketball court similar in size to other neighbors, but was threatened with fines and a lien on his home after the Association told him his court did not meet its rules. Soon after he filed a charge of discrimination with the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR), an Association board member attempted to tarnish his image while he participated in board elections. The Muslim man was still voted onto the board, but the dispute over the basketball court continued until the recent settlement.

In the settlement, the Homeowner’s Association agreed to adopt a Fair Housing policy in its rules and regulations, came to an agreement over the size of the court, and compensated the Muslim man for inconveniencing him.

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