SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Willie Preston led a new law to prohibit unlawful restrictive covenant modification fees in Illinois.

“No homeowner should have to pay to remove illegal, racist, or offensive language from their deed, “said Preston (D-Chicago). “As chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, I will always push for legislation that ensures that marginalized communities are treated equally in all areas of life including finances.”

House Bill 1575 prohibits a county recorder from assessing a fee for modification of an unlawful restrictive covenant or for copies of any records necessary to file the modification.

Currently, restrictive covenants are illegal and unenforceable as they violate the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. A person can go to the county recorder's office now and have a deed modified to remove a restrictive covenant but they may charge a $10 fee to do so. Under Preston’s law if the modification of a deed is to remove a restrictive covenant, the recorder's office cannot charge a fee.

“This law ensures that all citizens regardless of their race, national origin, ethnicity or religion will not be charged a fee for wanting to have property in our state,” said Preston.

House Bill 1575 was signed into law on Friday and goes into effect Jan 1, 2026.