IL Senate committee approves bill protecting families from crime free housing evictions

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bill moving in the Illinois Senate could protect families from evictions under crime free housing ordinances.

Most local governments have laws in place to allow landlords to evict renters if they are charged with crimes or call law enforcement for help. This legislation could prevent evictions for criminal activity tenants are not involved in or simply calling police to help after domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.

"You shouldn't be evicted from your home for calling 9-1-1 because you need help," Senate President Don Harmon said Wednesday. "You shouldn't be evicted from your home because your autistic child calls 9-1-1. You shouldn't be evicted from your home because an uninvited person shows up at your front door."

Although, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and Illinois Municipal League opposed the bill. Leaders from both organizations said they agree that people should not be evicted following calls for service. They noted there is no penalty included in the proposal for landlords refusing to correct an issue at their property.

IML CEO Brad Cole also told the Senate Executive Committee that municipalities were not included in negotiations for the current bill. Cole said many communities have very successful crime free housing programs that should not be penalized.

"It restricts local ordinances from being able to address an individual unless have had a conviction of a murder, Class X felony or Class 1 felony that occurred on the property," Cole said. "Next door to the property, all of a sudden it doesn't matter? Only if it's on the property with a Class X or murder conviction. Okay, maybe the neighbors feel differently about that."

Cole also expressed concern that every municipality would be required to have a crime free housing coordinator that conducts a fair housing impact analysis for the community on an annual basis.

The measure passed out of the Senate Executive Committee on a partisan 9-4 vote. It now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration.