CBA Record Nov-Dec 2019

20 of the SHA from changing the locks, the tenant may seek a temporary restrain- ing order or a preliminary or permanent injunction and is entitled to recover their reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. Disclosure Restrictions Finally, section 27 of the SHA enforces the protections afforded to abused or threatened individuals by prohibiting landlords from disclosing information to a prospective landlord that a tenant has exercised his or her rights under the SHA, or information the tenant has shared with the landlord in exercise of those rights. The victim, or a parent or guardian of the victim, may waive this prohibition with written consent. Any landlord that violates this prohibition may be liable for actual damages of up to $2,000 and pay- ment of the tenant’s reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. Barriers to Enforcement Although the SHA was passed more than 10 years ago, several barriers may prevent tenants from accessing information and assistance: • Even if a tenant is informed about the SHA, he or she may not have access to transportation or to the financial resources to pay for transportation to move out of the unit. • Moreover, a tenant may lack the finan- cial resources to find new affordable housing. Often, the tenant may rely on the abuser’s income as a means of fi- nancial stability. While most landlords likely have the financial resources to obtain legal advice concerning their responsibilities under the SHA, ten- ants in need of the SHA’s protections likely do not. And while clinics are available for tenants and victims, these organizations consistently lack sufficient funding to provide the necessary legal services. With limited funding, victim service providers focus their attention on immediate legal needs. However, with more funding, victim service providers would be able to dedicate more time on education and awareness of victim and tenants’ rights.

• A lack of translation services may prevent a non-English speaking tenant from understanding the scope of the SHA and seeking legal advice. Awareness by Landlords and Tenants It is critical that landlords as well as tenants be familiar with the SHA. As a landlord, knowing which laws apply to your tenants can help you avoid frivolous lawsuits and unnecessary fees and costs associated with hiring a collection agency or law firm to collect rent for breach of a lease in a situation where the tenant is not liable for such rent. Equally important, knowing your rights as a tenant/victim Additional Resources on the Safe Housing Act Ascend Justice (formerly DomesticViolence Legal Clinic) Phone: 312-971-5932 | www.dvlcchicago.org Legal Aid Chicago 312-341-1070 | www.legalaidchicago.org/get-help Below are many of the other resources around Chicago that provide victim services: Illinois Department of Human Services, Domestic Violence Helpline www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30275 1-877-863-6338 (Voice) or 1-877-863-6339 (TTY) Toll free, confidential, multilingual, and open 24-hours Apna Ghar (Our Home), Inc. Chicago, IL 60640 Hotline: (773) 334-4663 | Toll Free Hotline: (800) 717-0757 E-Mail: info@apnaghar.org | Website: apnaghar.org

of domestic or violent abuse may help save your life or the life of a loved one by removing yourself or the victim from a dangerous or violent situation. Ascend Justice (formerly the Domestic Violence Legal Clinic) and Legal Aid Chicago also represent victims under the Illinois Safe Homes Act. More informa- tion on the Illinois Safe Homes Act is available in the accompanying sidebar. Blake A. Strautins is a partner and Pooja Dosi is an associate with Kluever & Platt, LLC.

Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago Chicago, IL 60604 Hotline: (800) 824-4050 | Website: lafchicago.org Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center Chicago, IL 60626-062 TTY Hotline: (773) 248-9174 | E-Mail: askchs@anixter.org Website: anixter.org

Metropolitan Family Services Chicago, IL 60602 Website: metrofamily.org

Mujeres Latinas en Accion Chicago, IL 60608 Hotline: (312) 738-5358 | TTY Hotline: (312) 226-3350

E-Mail: mujeresmail@mujereslat.org Website: mujereslatinasenaccion.org

Neopolitan Lighthouse Chicago, IL 606240709 Hotline: (773) 722-0005

Between Friends Chicago, IL 60645 Toll Free Hotline: (800) 603-4357 Website: www.betweenfriendschicago.org

E-Mail: neopolitan@ameritech.net Website: neopolitanlighthouse.org

NewHope Community Service Center Chicago, IL 60652 Website: nhcsc.org Polish American Association Chicago, IL 60641 E-Mail: paa@polish.org | Website: polish.org

Chicago AbusedWomen Coalition Chicago, IL 60651

Hotline: (773) 278-4566 | TTY Hotline: (773) 278-4114 E-Mail: cawcadmin@mindspring.com | Website: cawc.org

Family Rescue, Inc. Chicago, IL 60617 Hotline: (773) 375-8400 E-Mail: administration@familyrescueinc.org Website: familyrescueinc.org Healthcare Alternative Systems, Inc. Chicago, IL 60647 Hotline: (773) 745-7107 | Website: hascares.org

RainbowHouse Chicago, IL 60604 Hotline: (773) 762-6611 | Toll Free Hotline: (800) 913-0065 TTY Hotline: (773) 762-6802 E-Mail: email@rainbow-house.org Website: rainbow-house.org

Wellspring Center for Hope Chicago, IL 60181 Website: wellspringcenterforhope.org

Howard Area Community Center Chicago, IL 60626 Website: howardarea.org Howard Brown Health Center Chicago, IL 60613 Website: howardbrown.org

YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago Chicago, IL 60601 Toll Free Hotline: (888) 293-2080 | Website: ywcachicago.org UIC John Marshall Law School Family Law& Domestic Vio- lence Clinic accepts prospective clients for consideration when they are referred by domestic violence services organizations.

Jane Addams Hull House Association Chicago, IL 60607 TTY Hotline: (773) 561-6119 | Website: hullhouse.org

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