Latest Updates
Newsletter
Recent Updates
Speak Up to Expand Eviction Sealing
Having an eviction filing on your record hampers your ability to find a home, regardless of the outcome of the case. Illinois eviction filings remain in the public record indefinitely, trapping people and families in poverty. Based on pre-pandemic data, more than 50%...
Prevent Homeowner Displacement in Cook County
The inclusion of owner-occupied homes in the Cook County annual tax sale puts people, especially seniors and those with disabilities, at risk of losing their home solely for delinquent property taxes purchased by investors motivated by profit, without regard for the...
2022 IL General Assembly Lame Duck Wrap-Up
Housing Action is excited to celebrate two key wins from the 2022 lame duck Illinois General Assembly session: Increased Funding for the Rental Housing Support Program House Bill 3878 increases the fee on the recordation of real estate documents from $10 to $20 to...
Sign On Now: Urge $51 Million for Emergency Shelters in IL
Help us reach 200 signing organizations! Housing Action and our allies are urging Governor Pritzker to include a $51 million increase for the Emergency and Transitional Housing (ETH) Program in his upcoming budget proposal. The ETH Program has long been underfunded,...
Housing Action Awarded Nearly $1.4 Million to Distribute to Housing Counseling Agencies & Host National Trainings
Housing Action will distribute subgrants to 35 housing counseling organizations and facilitate national trainings for agencies For Immediate Release: August 31, 2022Contact: Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois,...
Central Illinois Land Bank Authority’s Abandonment to Rehab Program in Decatur
The Central Illinois Land Bank Authority (CILBA) is piloting a new housing strategy with the City of Decatur called the Abandonment to Rehab Program. The program aims to identify abandoned properties that can be saved, rehab the home to code standards, and sell to...
Strengthening Relationships and Housing Tenants: Northern Illinois Regional Affordable Community Housing
In the wake of World War II (WWII), many housing authorities formed to house the families of soldiers returning from war or relocating to military bases. Northern Illinois Regional Affordable Community Housing (NI ReACH) is one such authority, and the organization is...
Last Chance: Speak Up on Federal CRA Rule Changes
We need to ensure real financial inclusion for all communities in the federal CRA. The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), passed in 1977 in response to redlining, creates a continuing and affirmative responsibility for banks to make loans and investments in the...
Affordable Housing Is Out of Reach In Illinois for Low-Wage Workers
Illinois renters must earn nearly $23 per hour to afford rent for a modest two-bedroom apartment For Immediate Release: July 28, 2022Contact: Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or...
LGBTQ+ Elder Housing Initiative
While many seniors have difficulty finding affordable housing, LGBTQ+ elders face barriers that are both common and unique. As queer and transgender people age, they are less likely to have children or family that can support them as they age in place. Traditional...
Press Releases
Cook County Board unanimously passes historic Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance, extending renter protections to 245,000 suburban households
For Immediate Release: January 28, 2021 Contact: Kristin Ginger, Communications Manager, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333 SCHAUMBURG, IL – Today, the Cook County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed the Residential Tenant...
Advocates Call on Cook County Commissioners to Pass Basic Renter Rights
Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance will make rental landscape fairer for suburban renters For Immediate Release: January 25, 2021Contact: Kristin Ginger, Communications Manager, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333 CHICAGO –...
Illinois Community Reinvestment Act Passed by General Assembly as Part of Black Caucus’ Economic Equity Pillar
For Immediate Release: January 13, 2021 Contact: Kristin Ginger, Communications Manager, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333, Brent Adams, Senior Vice President of Policy & Communication, badams@woodstockinst.org, 312-368-0310...
Media Placements
Despite BUILD’s failure, housing advocates celebrate legislative wins, Capitol News Illinois, 6/12/26
Opinion: Building homes isn’t enough. Buyers need help, too., Crain’s Chicago Business, 6/9/26
Homelessness Isn’t Throwaway Issue, Chicago Sun-Times, 5/30/26
What is the BUILD Act and what could it mean for homeowners in Illinois if it’s passed? NBC Chicago, 5/29/26
Debate grows over Pritzker’s proposed BUILD housing plan, Fox 32 Chicago, 5/29/26
Cook County tax buyer industry would be phased out in ‘equity theft’ reform bill, Chicago Tribune, 5/28/26
Unlocking MISMO Housing Counseling Data: Insights from Industry Leaders, Actualizing Success, 5/7/26
Community organizers support Illinois bill restricting penalties for homelessness, The Daily Northwestern, 5/6/26
When the Feds Step Back on Fair Housing, Can States Step Up?, Shelterforce, 5/5/26
Illinois bill would curb homelessness penalties, Axios Chicago, 4/16/26
Even the Midwest Wants to Encourage More Housing Density, Heatmap, 4/9/26
Peoria new housing has significantly dropped since 2004, Central Illinois Proud, 4/6/26
City program wants to bring more families to the South Side and West Side one vacant lot at a time, Chicago Sun-Times, 4/3/26
Steps Illinois lawmakers could take to reform the state’s tax sale laws, Injustice Watch, 3/26/26
City Clears North Side Encampment Amid Cold Snap As Residents Wait For Housing, Block Club Chicago, 3/17/26
The Rundown: A Chicagoan’s life after deportation, WBEZ, 3/9/26
Moore: Pritzker embraces ‘abundance’ agenda with housing, nuclear proposals, Capitol News Illinois, 3/6/26
Chicago area short nearly 225,000 affordable rental units for its poorest residents, report finds, Chicago Sun-Times, 3/6/26
Will Governor Pritzker’s budget actually make housing more affordable?, WBEZ, 2/26/26
Fair housing groups hold informational session on housing voucher rights, Evanston RoundTable, 2/24/26
Proposed cuts to housing-first programs would be ‘going back like 30 years’, advocates warn, Chicago Tribune, 2/17/26
Budzinski Leads Illinois House Democrats in Demanding HUD Strengthen Housing Protections, RiverBender, 2/14/26
It’s crunch time for Cook County tax sales — and so far, Springfield isn’t helping, Crain’s Chicago Business, 2/12/26
New Humboldt Park Affordable Apartment Building Welcomes Residents: ‘I Can Breathe Now’, Block Club Chicago, 2/12/26
Plans are underway to end Cook County’s property tax sales, WBEZ, 2/12/26
Federal actions could make an affordable housing shortage worse, Crain’s Chicago Business, 2/9/26
Under Trump, HUD hardens the policies behind a program meant to shelter the city’s homeless population, Crain’s Chicago Business, 2/9/26