During the Illinois veto session, our legislators will have the chance to pass protections for renters on the brink of losing their homes.
The pandemic has only exacerbated our longstanding eviction crisis, as COVID-19 has caused unprecedented economic instability for renters across Illinois. No one should fear losing their home during these uncertain times, when housing is healthcare, just because they can’t afford the rent.
Illinois is fortunate in that we continue to have a state moratorium on evictions and there has been significant funding to provide rental assistance. However, there has yet to be enough funding available to help everyone in need. The federal government’s failure to pass another COVID-19 relief package only compounds this crisis. As a result, an influx of eviction filings is inevitable whenever the moratorium is lifted.
Urge legislators to support state legislation to:
- Prohibit landlords from filing evictions if they accept partial rent payments from their tenants
- Expand opportunities to seal prior eviction records
- Prohibit tenant screening companies from sharing a sealed eviction court record
- Seal eviction cases filed during the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery period (March 2020 – September 2022)
This legislation is being championed by State Senator Robert Peters, State Representative Delia Ramirez and others.
Stand up for renters on the brink of losing their homes in the midst of an ongoing public health crisis:
Endorse as an organization
Housing Action Illinois, Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing and the Shriver Center on Poverty Law invite partner organizations to endorse state legislation creating COVID-19 emergency eviction protections for renters at-risk of losing their home.