SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order last week to tackle the lack of affordable housing across the state. However, some Democratic lawmakers believe the state should treat housing as a human right.

Nearly one-third of Illinois households spend more than 30% of their income on housing and the state has a shortage of roughly 290,000 homes affordable for low-income families. 

Lawmakers and advocates know that massive rent increases, building neglect, social services and property taxes challenge people from having a roof over their head.

"Tenants have lots of protections, but the landlord and property owners still have all the power," said Jim Garfield from the Uptown People's Law Center. "Without things like rent control, they can simply raise the rent however much they want and force people who have been longtime residents, who have had affordable housing this whole time, to have to move."

Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) told colleagues on the Senate Human Rights Committee Tuesday that housing is a basic human right and determines any person's ability to thrive and live a life to their fullest potential.

Many renters in metro areas currently worry about property owners selling their building to developers who kick everyone out to make luxury units or stores.

"We're not anti-having amenities, and restaurants, and coffee shops, and housing at all price points," Simmons said. "We want to make sure that those that don't come from privilege, access and wealth, who don't come from money, have an opportunity to live in communities worth living in."

Advocates also said the state should expand homeless shelters to ensure men receive the same social services as women and children.

"You mostly see men on the L, on the buses, and in the parks," said Peter Marchese, President of North Side Housing and Supportive Services in Chicago. "Having to live in these public places, homeless men are more vulnerable to becoming crime victims in bad weather. So, the trauma and health problems can be more severe for men than women when homeless men enter a shelter."

Simmons hopes the General Assembly can pass legislation to enhance housing accessibility during the 2025 session. 

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