Housing Discrimination in Chicago

Normally I dont write off topic, but I was so outraged today that I have to find some way to vent this anger.  My wife and I have been looking for a new apartment for the past few months, we really want to get a pet for the kids, but our landlord wont allow pets.  However, our apartment is nicely furnished and we have becomed “spoiled” with the jacuzzi & marble master bath, his & her sinks, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, multiple fireplaces & hardwood floors.  Needless to say, finding the right place has been a bit tought, especially one with the amenities we want that will allow pets.  My wife came across this posting on craigslist earlier this morning and decided to give it call, we were already going to look at a place over on Kedzie at 11:00, so she thought we could stop by and have a look too.  So my wife gave a call and spoke with a lady, and she was asked “How many people will be living in the apartment?’.  She replied 6 total, 4 adults and 2 children.  I dont think that is unreasonable, it’ s a 3 bedroom / 2 bath apartment.  Thats 2 people per bedroom (isn’t that normal in america?).   I mean colleges cram 4 kids into a dorm room!  She was told that we coulnd’t even come view the apartment, because the tenant below the prospective unit had complained of noise in the past and she (the landlord) didn’t want “noisy” kids in the apartment.  This was before meeting us, before checking out background, credit, landlord references and employment.  She wanted “NO KIDS”, period!

A little taken back, I was a bit skeptical of my wife, and I didn’t think it was as bad as she had explained.  Maybe she mishead, or misconstrued what was said?  I decided to call myself, and hopefully she wouldn’t tell me the same thing she told my wife.  I expressed my interest in the apartment and again I was asked who would be living in the apartment, I responded the same as my wife, and again I was told that she didn’t want any kids in the apartment?!?  So I asked for her name, you know, so I could have a record of who I’m going to report, and apparently she knew she was doing something wrong because she said she couldn’t give it to me without speaking to her lawyer….? Really, are you serious, really Mrs. Discrimination?

So just to be sure, and add to my witness list, I had my brother-in-law call tonight about 8:00 pm, he told the lady on the phone about his interest in the apartment, and again he was asked who would be living there.  He responded that it would be 3 adults and 2 children, and instantly a “3 bedroom” went to “oh…its a 2 bedroom with a very small office, I’m not sure if it’s going to be big enough for you”.  My brother in law insisted that it was for him to decide if it was big enough for his family, eventhough the craigslist ad bills the apartment as “3 bedroom”.  Anyways, my brother-in-law says that after 10 minutes on the phone with her saying “umm…ummm..ummmmmm”, she was basically trying to come up with any excuse to get him to say “no” to the apartment and her last line was “Let me see if I have an application, I will call you back.”

The sad part is this is not the first time we have been denied an apartment because of our kids (yes…I’m talking to you Greg, Mr. 7725 N. Marshfield), I will be filing complaints tommorrow with the proper authorities.  If you live in Illinois and have been unfairly denied housing based on your age, race, color, religion, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, military disposition or national origin, please make sure you contact the proper agencies here.

DJ Meltdown is a 16 year veteran club DJ who has performed at many venues on the east coast and throughout Illinois, for booking please use the form located here.