Latest Updates
Newsletter
Recent Updates
New Initiative: Introducing the Housing Counselor Corps
Housing Action Illinois is excited to bring together two of our programs—supporting housing counseling agencies and managing a network of AmeriCorps VISTA Members—for a new initiative: the Housing Counseling Corps. We plan to launch this initiative in the fall of...
Landmark State Legislation Will Create Affordable Housing Incentives
Major omnibus legislation awaiting Governor Pritzker’s signature will increase & preserve affordable housing throughout Illinois Chicago — On Monday, May 31, the Illinois General Assembly passed major omnibus legislation, House Bill 2621, to increase the supply of...
New Cook County Renter Rights & Protections Take Effect June 1
Ordinance extends protections to more than 200,000 renters For Immediate Release: June 1, 2021Contact: Kristin Ginger, Communications Manager, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333 CHICAGO, IL – On June 1, 2021, all provisions of the...
Alumni Spotlight: From AmeriCorps to Assistant Attorney General
When Dan Kallio finished law school, he knew he wanted to spend a year giving back to the community before beginning his law career. Today, his impressive resume includes his current position as Assistant Attorney General at the Office of the Illinois Attorney...
Illinois COVID-19 Emergency Housing Act Creates Critical Protections for Renters & Homeowners
Chicago — On Monday, May 17, Governor Pritzker signed the COVID-19 Emergency Housing Act into law, creating a strong set of protections for Illinoisans struggling to pay their rent or mortgages as a result of unprecedented economic instability caused by the pandemic....
COVID-19 Emergency Housing Act Passes House & Senate, Awaits Governor’s Signature
The COVID-19 Emergency Housing Act will create protections for Illinoisans struggling to pay their rent or mortgages as a result of unprecedented economic instability caused by the pandemic. After many months of work, the bill (HB 2877) passed in the Illinois House in...
Tara Joy: More People Need to Know About Fair Housing
“I had a few friends and acquaintances who served in AmeriCorps before and recommended the experience,” explains Tara Joy when asked how she first became interested in a year of service. “I was also interested in learning more about working in affordable/fair housing,...
Russell Star-Lack: Cooperating for Co-Ops
Russell Star-Lack first became interested in housing during college, when he was researching and documenting the history of housing discrimination in the Twin Cities. He wanted to put his knowledge to good use and thought that “AmeriCorps seemed like a great way to...
New State Community Reinvestment Law Takes Aim at Lending Disparities
Governor Pritzker signed the Illinois Community Reinvestment Act into law, making Illinois the second state with oversight to ensure equitable investment For Immediate Release: March 23, 2021Contact: Kristin Ginger, Communications Manager, Housing Action Illinois,...
Illinois Doesn’t Have Enough Affordable Rental Homes, Especially for Families with the Lowest Incomes & Renters with Disabilities
Report finds only 39 affordable, available rental homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households in Illinois For Immediate Release: March 18, 2021Contact: Kristin Ginger, Communications Manager, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or...
Press Releases
Housing Action Illinois Awarded $340,000 to Distribute to Homeless Service Providers
Funds will be regranted to nonprofits throughout Illinois to support people who are homeless or unstably housed FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 22, 2020 CONTACT: Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois,...
Housing Advocacy Groups Call On Governor Pritzker to Urge Banks to Prevent Foreclosures Due to COVID-19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 26, 2020 CONTACT: A.M. Triche, NHS Marketing & Communications, atriche@nhschicago.org or 312-619-7771 Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333...
Report: Affordable Housing Scarce in Illinois, Census to Affect Related Programs
Illinois has only 36 available, affordable rental homes for every 100 extremely low-income households; the 2020 census will determine funding for federal programs that alleviate shortage FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 10, 2020 CONTACT: Kristin Ginger, Manager of...
Media Placements
HUD Funding Notice Upends Counseling Assistance, Shelterforce, 8/27/26
Here’s what Illinois workers need to make an hour to afford rent, report says, Belleville News-Democrat, 8/18/26
Why Illinois ranks last in country for building housing, Fox 32, 8/7/26
Illinois ranks second to last in U.S. on building new housing, Crain’s Chicago Business, 8/4/26
Housing Wage in Illinois Now More than $30, NewsBreak, 7/24/26
What the ROAD to Housing Act means for Chicago, Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ, 7/15/26
What federal housing reforms could mean for Evanston, Evanston Now, 6/29/26
Congress passes housing reform package. How would it impact the Chicago area?, WBEZ, 6/29/26
Despite BUILD’s failure, housing advocates celebrate legislative wins, Capitol News Illinois, 6/12/26
Illinois is one step closer to banning ‘junk fees’ and hidden charges on renters, Chicago Tribune, 6/11/26
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










