Illinois General Assembly Update
Illinois General Assembly Update
As previously shared, the Illinois General Assembly is advancing HB3564—a bill that would severely limit a housing provider's ability to apply essential application, move-in, and late fees. These fees play a critical role in encouraging timely rent payments and covering the real costs associated with screening tenants and preparing units for occupancy. If passed, this legislation will directly reduce revenue streams that support the day-to-day operations of rental housing. Even more concerning, the bill’s sponsor has suggested increasing rents to offset these losses—an outcome that ultimately harms both housing providers and residents. This is a misguided approach that could destabilize the rental housing market across Illinois. While this bill did not receive a hearing in the Senate Executive Committee last week as scheduled, an amendment was been filed and the bill is expected to remain a priority for certain legislators. The Chicagoland Apartment Association (CAA) remains firmly committed to opposing the most damaging provisions in this bill and will stay active in its negotiation.
In addition to HB3564, CAA is closely tracking two other concerning bills: SB1964, which would also impose tight restrictions on the fees housing providers can apply, and SB1728, which would prohibit the use of credit scores and credit history in screening prospective tenants. These proposals would severely limit a housing provider's ability to make informed, responsible decisions and recover the real costs of providing quality housing. Collectively, these bills threaten the long-term health and sustainability of the rental housing industry in Illinois.
Below, you’ll find an updated list of housing legislation CAA is actively monitoring. We strongly encourage you to stay alert for future calls to action from CAA and SHAPE Illinois. Your direct involvement is crucial in pushing back against harmful policies—and in standing up for housing providers across the state.
House bills being considered in the Senate
HB3616 Rep. Will Guzzardi - IHDA-AFFORDABLE HOUSING EXEMPT
CAA Support
Senate: 3rd Reading May 14, 2025
Passed House of Representatives on 4/10/2025
Summary:
Amends the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act. In provisions requiring the Illinois Housing Development Authority to determine which local governments are exempt or not exempt from the requirements of the Act, requires the Authority to collect data and make certain calculations based on: (i) the total number of owner-occupied housing units in each local government that are affordable to households; (ii) the total number of rental units in each local government that are affordable to households; (iii) the total number of owner-occupied housing units in each local government that are affordable to households; and (iv) the total number of rental units in each local government that are affordable to households. Senate committee amendment No. 1 requires IHDA to publish collected data.
HB3564 Rep. Nabeela Syed - HUMAN RIGHTS ACT-REAL ESTATE
CAA Opposed
Senate: Assigned to Executive Committee
Passed House of Representatives on 4/9/2025
Summary:
Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act and limits fees for the late payment of rent and allows landlords to charge a fee to reimburse costs associated with conducting a background check if the cumulative fee for a check is no more than the actual cost of the background check or $20, whichever is less. Prohibits a landlord from imposing a move-in fee. Unless provided by law elsewhere, a landlord may not demand any charge for the processing, reviewing, or accepting of an application, or demand any other payment, fee, or charge before or at the beginning of the tenancy. CAA opposes this bill.
HB2757 Rep. Kimberly DuBuclet - REVITALIZE DOWNTOWN CHICAGO
CAA Support
Senate: 3rd Reading May 15, 2025
Passed House of Representatives on 4/10/2025
Summary:
Creates the Chicago Downtown Revitalization Task Force Act. Requires the Task Force to (1) conduct an analysis of all taxes and economic incentives, monetary or otherwise, that impact downtown Chicago; (2) research and review trends impacting downtown Chicago; (3) examine national best practices in the area of post-pandemic revitalization of large urban centers and consider the applicability of such policies to downtown Chicago; (4) assess existing and potential industry clusters based on current and anticipated trends to consider policy solutions that may optimize the marketability and overall appeal of downtown Chicago to potential growth sectors; and (5) make recommendations regarding changes to existing policy or the implementation of new policies to enhance economic activity in and increase the overall vitality of downtown Chicago. We will request that a representative of CAA be appointed to the Task Force.
HB3566 Rep. Dagmara Avelar - EVICTION OF MINORS
CAA Neutral with Amendments 1 & 2
Senate: 3rd Reading May 14, 2025
Passed House of Representatives on 4/10/2025
Summary:
Amends the Eviction Article of the Code of Civil Procedure. Requires dismissal of a complaint in its entirety against all defendants if the complaint names a defendant who is a minor at the time of filing. Requires that a minor be willfully and wantonly named as a defendant in violation of the Act before the minor is entitled to reasonable attorney fees, actual damages, and liquidated damages in the amount of $1,000. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits a party from refiling an action against any defendants who otherwise may be properly named.
HB3652 Rep. Camille Lilly - FUEL GAS DETECTOR ACT
CAA Oppose
Senate: Assignments Committee
Passed House of Representatives on 4/10/2025
Summary:
Creates the Fuel Gas Detector and Alarm Act and requires the installation of fuel gas detectors and alarms in certain buildings. Multifamily dwellings must have alarms located in each room that has a gas appliance. All covered buildings must comply with the requirements of this Act on or before January 1, 2028. CAA opposes this bill.
Senate bills being considered in the House
SB1563 Sen. Lakesia Collins - EVICTION-CRIMINAL TRESSPASS
CAA Support
House: 2nd Reading - Short Debate
Passed Senate on 4/9/2025
Summary:
Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that nothing in the Eviction Article may be construed to: (i) prohibit law enforcement officials from enforcing the offense of criminal trespass under the Criminal Code of 1963 or any other violation of the Code; or (ii) to interfere with the ability of law enforcement officials to remove persons or property from the premises when there is a criminal trespass.
Bills that are otherwise still alive
SB1728 Sen. Mike Simmons - HUMAN RIGHTS-LANDLORD-TENANT
CAA Oppose
Senate: Referred to Assignments Committee
Summary:
Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Makes it a violation of the Real Estate Transactions Article of the Act to use a credit score and history, including insufficient credit history, in the tenant application and screening process. Limits these provisions to landlord and tenant agreements only.
SB62 Sen. Robert Peters - BUILD ILLINOIS HOMES ACT
CAA Support
Senate: Assigned to Revenue Committee
Summary:
Creates the Build Illinois Homes Tax Credit Act. Provides that owners of qualified low-income housing developments are eligible for credits against the taxes imposed by the Illinois Income Tax Act or taxes, penalties, fees, charges, and payments imposed by the Illinois Insurance Code. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act and the Illinois Insurance Code to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.
SB2264 - Sen. Karina Villa - CRIME-FREE HOUSING
CAA Support
Senate: Third reading deadline extended to May 23rd, 2025
Summary:
Among other things, provides that a county or municipality shall not adopt, enforce, or implement any ordinance, resolution, policy, program, or other regulation that contains certain provisions such as imposing or threatening to impose a penalty against a resident, property owner, tenant, landlord, or other person as a consequence of requests for law enforcement or emergency assistance, on their own behalf or on behalf of another person in need of assistance, including, but not limited to, a request related to an incident of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or another act of violence or concerning an individual with a disability or a person entitled to protections under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that if a county implements a crime-free housing or nuisance ordinance, then the county shall create the Office of the Crime Free Housing Coordinator.