What additional matters does the Illinois Human Rights Act cover besides federally protected classes?

The Illinois Human Rights Act extends protections beyond those federally mandated categories to include several additional characteristics that help ensure fairness and equality in various aspects of life, such as employment, housing, and public accommodations. Among these additional matters are marital status, age, ancestry, and military discharge.

Marital status protects individuals from discrimination based on whether they are single, married, divorced, or widowed. Age discrimination protections are critical for ensuring that individuals are not unfairly treated because of their age, particularly against older adults who may face biases in employment and other areas. Ancestry protections recognize the rights of individuals based on their lineage or family background, promoting diversity and inclusion. Military discharge status safeguards those who have served in the armed forces against discrimination based on how they were discharged, which is important for veterans re-entering civilian life.

The other options mentioned do not align with the comprehensive scope of protections offered by the Illinois Human Rights Act. Income and education status are not covered as specific classifications under this act; property ownership and rental history focus more on financial status rather than personal characteristics; and while marital status and age are included, limiting to just those two does not capture the full complement of protections provided by the act. Hence, the correct choice fully encompasses a