State Rep. Johnson Sponsors Bill To Remove Racist Deed Language

BUFFALO GROVE, IL – State Senator Adriane Johnson, D-Buffalo Grove, is sponsoring a new measure to give Illinois homeowners a path to remove racist language from their property deeds.

The legislation would allow people, condominium associations, unit owners' association and other property owners to remove language for unlawful restrictive covenants from recorded property interests, including deeds.

“Restrictive covenants have a long and painful history in the U.S., and it’s time that we finally rid our systems of the remnants of this racist practice,” Johnson said in a prepared statement. “The antiquated language contained in many property records can be offensive and even harmful to today’s communities—homeowners should have an avenue to eliminate it once and for all.”

Starting in the 1920's, the Federal Housing Authority actively segregated metropolitan areas, guaranteeing bank loans for the construction and development of suburbs on the condition that the sale of the homes in that area be restricted by race, according to Johnson. In 1948, the Supreme Court ruled all racial restrictive covenants unenforceable.