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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!

Image by Markus Spiske

It is hard for people with arrest and conviction records to find the resources to build a successful future. It starts with Knowing Your Rights! Our "Know Your Rights" project, in partnership with Illinois Access to Justice, works within a network of organizations that can help with many issues caused by arrest records.   

While we focus on housing at Open Communities, we understand that housing is only one need you might face after arrest and incarceration. There are many misconceptions regarding rights and remedies for justice-impacted individuals. Whether it is education, employment, or our specialty – housing, several reentry programs and resources are available.


Contact us or our partners listed below so that we can help you understand your rights and integrate you into our community. Some issues may require professional legal assistance.

Blue House

HOUSING

Access to safe and affordable housing is critical. Like employment, rules, and rights differ depending on whether housing options are based on a subsidized (or government-regulated) program or from the private market. The Fair Housing Act and the Cook County Just Housing Amendment offer some protections for people with arrest and conviction records. We can help you understand your housing rights and secure housing. 

Contact Open Communities at 847-501-5760 or intake@open-communities to schedule an appointment with our intake specialist. From there, we can determine whether you may benefit from housing counseling, fair housing services, or a referral to one of our partners. We specialize in delivering presentations on the Just Housing Amendment, so inquire with our Outreach and Education Coordinator, Claire Bacon (cbacon@open-communities.org), on whether we have any upcoming trainings.

HOUSING-RELATED RESOURCES FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY INCARCERATION:

Information on the Just Housing Amendment, which provides protections for people with conviction histories in housing contexts: https://www.cookcountyil.gov/content/just-housing-amendment-information-landlords

INFORMATION AND RESOURCES RELATING TO EVICTION IN CHICAGO:

https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/doh/covid/Eviction_Resources_Flyer_Fall-2021.pdf

Rentervention is a virtual housing assistant tool developed by Law Center for Better Housing. This service has a great deal of relevant support and information for tenants in a myriad of housing situations: https://rentervention.com/

Understanding the Cook County Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance (RTLO) can help people understand their rights. Find Housing Action Illinois' RTLO resources here: https://housingactionil.org/what-we-do/advocacy/rental-affordability/rtlo/

 

If you have an eviction on your record, you may be eligible for sealing it, preventing providers from using this information against you. Illinois Legal Aid has more here: https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/removing-eviction-case-my-record

Blue House

HOUSING

Access to safe and affordable housing is critical. Like employment, rules, and rights differ depending on whether housing options are based on a subsidized (or government-regulated) program or from the private market. The Fair Housing Act and the Cook County Just Housing Amendment offer some protections for people with arrest and conviction records. We can help you understand your housing rights and secure housing. 

CONTACT OPEN COMMUNITIES

Contact Open Communities at 847-501-5760 or intake@open-communities to schedule an appointment with our intake specialist. From there, we can determine whether you may benefit from housing counseling, fair housing services, or a referral to one of our partners. We specialize in delivering presentations on the Just Housing Amendment, so inquire with our Outreach and Education Coordinator, Claire Bacon (cbacon@open-communities.org), on whether we have any upcoming trainings.

HOUSING-RELATED RESOURCES

FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY INCARCERATION

Information on the Just Housing Amendment, which provides protections for people with conviction histories in housing contexts, may be viewed here.

INFORMATION AND RESOURCES RELATING TO EVICTION IN CHICAGO

UNDERSTANDING YOUR RIGHTS

Rentervention is a virtual housing assistant tool developed by Law Center for Better Housing. This service has a great deal of relevant support and information for tenants in a myriad of housing situations.

Understanding the Cook County Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance (RTLO) can help people understand their rights. Find Housing Action Illinois' RTLO resources here.

 

If you have an eviction on your record, you may be eligible for sealing it, preventing providers from using this information against you. Illinois Legal Aid has more here.

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