{"id":15161,"date":"2015-09-01T15:48:22","date_gmt":"2015-09-01T22:48:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=15161"},"modified":"2015-09-01T16:02:09","modified_gmt":"2015-09-01T23:02:09","slug":"illinois-trailer-park-owners-to-pay-75000-for-discriminating-against-blacks-news-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=15161","title":{"rendered":"Illinois Trailer Park Owners to Pay $75,000 for Discriminating Against Blacks (News Video)"},"content":{"rendered":"

ILLINOIS<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"Justice-Depart\"<\/a>The owners of a trailer park agreed to pay $75,000 for discriminating against Blacks and families with children in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act, officials said.<\/p>\n

The settlement agreement, approved in federal court, resolves a lawsuit alleging that owners and operators of the park violated federal law, officials said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is both shocking and sad that in this day and age any person would try to discriminate against a fellow citizen on the basis of race,\u201d said U.S. Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton of \u00a0Illinois.<\/strong> \u201cNeither the Department of Justice nor my office will tolerate such behavior.\u00a0 Opportunity and justice must remain equal for all.\u201d<\/p>\n

A probe conducted by the department revealed that the manager and part owner of the park, Lyle Williams, falsely told African Americans inquiring about renting mobile homes that no homes were available, while telling white home-seekers that such mobile homes were available.<\/p>\n

The probe also revealed that Williams unlawfully discouraged families with children from living there.<\/p>\n

In addition to Lyle Williams, the lawsuit also names as defendants the park\u2019s other two owners, Kyle Williams<\/strong> and David Williams<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe right of people to live in the housing of their choice regardless of their race or whether they have children is fundamental,\u201d said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Civil Rights Division.\u00a0<\/strong> \u201cThe Justice Department will continue its vigorous enforcement of the Fair Housing Act, which seeks to protect that right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Under the terms of the settlement, defendants will establish a settlement fund in the amount of $45,000 to compensate victims of the discriminatory practices, authorities stated.<\/p>\n

Defendants also will pay $30,000 in civil penalties to the United States, officials said.<\/p>\n

In addition, officials said the agreement requires defendants to implement a nondiscrimination policy, establish new nondiscriminatory application and rental procedures, and undergo training on the Fair Housing Act.
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