Remedies

Remedies. (a) If a landlord engages in prohibited conduct described in subsection (f) of Section 10 against a tenant, the tenant may bring a civil action to seek any one or more of the following remedies: (1) actual damages, as reasonably determined by the court, for injury or loss suffered; (2) a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $2,000 for each violation, payable to the tenant; (3) reasonable attorney's fees and court costs; and (4) other equitable relief as the court may deem appropriate and just. (b) The immigration or citizenship status of any person is irrelevant to any issue of liability or remedy in a civil action involving a tenant's housing rights. In proceedings or discovery undertaken in a civil action involving a tenant's housing rights, no inquiry shall be permitted into the tenant's immigration or citizenship status, except if: (1) unless otherwise provided in subsection (c), the claims or defenses raised by the tenant place the person's immigration or citizenship status directly in contention; or (2) the person seeking to make the inquiry demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that the inquiry is necessary in order to comply with federal law. (c) The assertion of an affirmative defense to an eviction action under Section 9-106.3 of the Code of Civil Procedure does not constitute cause for discovery or other inquiry into a person's immigration or citizenship status. (Source: P.A. 101-439, eff. 8-21-19.)