Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Special to suffredin.org
by Cook County Board

RESOLUTION

Sponsored by

THE HONORABLE LARRY SUFFREDIN COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER FOR THE 13^TH DISTRICT

HONORING THE 47th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FEDERAL FAIR HOUSING ACT AND PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF APRIL FAIR HOUSING MONTH IN COOK COUNTY

WHEREAS, April 2015 marks the 47^th Anniversary of the passage of the U.S. Federal Fair Housing act. Adopted in the wake of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Fair Housing Act transformed the legal rights that all Americans have to rent and own homes in communities across the country; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Fair Housing Act created a national policy of fair housing and today prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status or disability; and

WHEREAS, 2015 additionally marks the 36^th anniversary of the Illinois Human Rights Act, a law which prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, familial status, age, ancestry, marital status, disability, military status, unfavorable discharge from military service, sexual orientation or order of protection status; and

WHEREAS, housing discrimination and barriers to equal housing opportunity are corrosive and undermine a common sense of decency and fairness; and

WHEREAS, economic stability, community health and human relations in all communities are advanced by diversity and integration; and

WHEREAS, advocates and non-profits for fair housing assisted by the Federal Fair Housing Act have worked tirelessly to promote just and nondiscriminatory practices; and

WHEREAS, one of those non-profits is Open Communities, a leading voice for housing, economic and social justice in north suburban Chicago. Their mission is to educate, advocate and organize to promote just and inclusive communities in north suburban Chicago. Open Communities will host a celebration of the Fair Housing Act at their 11^th Annual Fair Housing Month Event entitled “Coloring; A Film and Discussion” on Monday, April 27 at the Skokie Public Library; and

WHEREAS, the talents of grassroots and non-profit organizations, housing service providers, financial institutions, elected officials, state and county agencies, and others must be combined to promote and preserve integration, fair housing and equal opportunity; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County takes great pleasure in honoring and celebrating the 47^th Anniversary of the FEDERAL FAIR HOUSING ACT and herewith honors the progress and impact that the Fair Housing Act has made in bettering the lives of the citizens of Cook County, Illinois; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the month of April be proclaimed Fair Housing Month in Cook County; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to Open Communities at their 11^th Annual Fair Housing Month Event on Monday, April 27 2015.