17. An unmarried couple wants to rent a high-rise apartment in Illinois. The landlord has strict religious beliefs and is uncomfortable renting the apartment to the couple. Because the landlord wants to comply with Illinois law, the landlord should
Answer: B
The landlord should rent to the couple regardless of their beliefs.
In this scenario, the landlord must adhere to Illinois law, which prohibits discrimination based on marital status. Therefore, the appropriate course of action is to rent the apartment to the unmarried couple despite the landlord's personal beliefs.
A) refuse to rent based on their beliefs.
This option is incorrect because it violates Illinois law, which protects individuals from discrimination in housing based on marital status. The landlord’s personal beliefs cannot justify refusing to rent to the couple.
B) rent to the couple regardless of their beliefs.
This option is correct as it aligns with Illinois law, which mandates that landlords cannot discriminate against tenants based on their marital status. The landlord is legally obligated to rent to the couple despite any personal discomfort.
C) try to find them an apartment elsewhere.
While this option may seem considerate, it is inappropriate as it suggests the landlord is not willing to fulfill their obligation to rent the apartment. The landlord should not redirect the couple to other housing options based on their personal beliefs.
D) insist the couple be married before move-in.
This option is incorrect as it directly contradicts Illinois law, which prohibits such discrimination. Requiring the couple to be married in order to rent the apartment is not legally permissible and would be an act of discrimination.
Conclusion
The landlord’s obligation to follow Illinois law clearly supports the decision to rent to the unmarried couple, making option B the only correct choice. All other options either suggest illegal actions or circumvent the legal responsibilities of the landlord, demonstrating a misunderstanding of anti-discrimination laws.