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Recent Updates
2025 State Legislative Session Wrap-Up
Each year, Housing Action Illinois works on a broad range of issues aligned with our core mission of creating an Illinois where everyone has a good, affordable place to call home. Below are some of our successes and challenges from the 2025 Illinois General Assembly...
Applications Open for 2025 Housing Action Corps Positions
Each year, Housing Action Corps matches AmeriCorps members with community-based organizations across Illinois. AmeriCorps is a national service program that connects people and organizations to help end poverty and strengthen communities. AmeriCorps members take on a...
Tens of Thousands in Illinois at Risk of Homelessness Under President’s Budget Proposal
President Trump’s high-level budget proposal, released on May 2, proposes combining five rental assistance programs—Housing Choice Vouchers, public housing, project-based rental assistance, Section 202 Housing for the Elderly and Section 811 Housing for Persons with...
Board Member Spotlight: Jennifer Taff
Housing Action Illinois was proud to welcome Jennifer Taff, Executive Director at DuPage and Chicago South Suburbs Habitat for Humanity, as a member of our Board of Directors in 2024. Jennifer’s personal journey fuels her passion for housing justice and...
Setback in DC, Progress in IL
In October 2023, after years of advocacy, long-overdue updates were made to the federal Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)—a critical law designed to ensure banks meet the credit needs of low- and moderate-income communities. These rule changes reflected the realities...
Action Alert: Defend the Nonprofit Sector & AmeriCorps
In the past few weeks, we have seen a sharp escalation in attacks on the nonprofit sector, deep federal staff and funding cuts, and serious threats to the programs that help build strong, thriving communities. Now more than ever, your voice is needed. Stand with us to...
2025 Mid-Session Legislative Update
This year’s state legislative session has been moving at its usual hectic pace. Our team continues to spend plenty of time in Springfield to meet with representatives and their staff, attend hearings, and do everything we can to move our 2025 Policy Agenda forward....
Board Member Spotlight: Nick Dodson
At the start of 2025, we were excited to welcome Nick Dodson to our Board of Directors for a three year term. A passionate advocate for housing justice, Nick serves as a Housing Navigator for the Heartland Continuum of Care. His unique perspective and deep commitment...
Board Member Spotlight: Brigitta Mac-Rizzo
Brigitta Mac-Rizzo’s work in housing began at a young age, assisting her parents as they collected rent from their tenants. Raised in a family with a strong real estate background, she took real estate classes at age 19, and began teaching some of her friends on how...
New Report Highlights Harmful Effects of Crime-Free Housing Ordinances, Urges Illinois to Strengthen Tenant Protections
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 13, 2025 Housing Action Illinois Contact: Kristin Ginger, Director of Communications and Development, 312-854-3333 (office), kristin@housingactionil.orgCLCCRUL Contact: Zindy Marquez, Director of Communications, 312.202.3657 (office),...
Press Releases
Community Safety Through Stable Homes Act Coalition Introduces Legislation with Senator Villa and Representative Ford to End Discriminatory Housing Practices
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 12, 2024 CONTACT: Zindy MarquezDirector of Communications312.202.3657 (office)zmarquez@clccrul.org SPRINGFIELD, IL – On Friday, February 9th, the Community Safety Through Stable Homes Act Coalition joined Senator Karina Villa (25th...
Housing Action Illinois Executive Director Wins National Community Development Award
National Community Development Leadership Award Presented to Housing Action Illinois Leader Sharon LegenzaFor Immediate Release: October 26, 2023Contact: Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org...
Affordable Rental Housing Is Out of Reach In Illinois
Illinois renters must earn more than $24 per hour to afford rent for a modest two-bedroom apartmentFor Immediate Release: June 14, 2023Contact: Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or...
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