Illinois Senate Democrats want to pass several new affordable housing plans before session ends Sunday.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois Senate Democrats want to pass several new affordable housing plans before session ends Sunday.

One of the proposals could legalize a wider range of middle housing types such as duplexes, triplexes and four flats in lots currently zoned for single-family use. Similar legislation could allow faith-based organizations to develop affordable mixed-use and multifamily homes on their property by exempting them from strict zoning requirements.

A separate bill would ban housing authorities and private owners of subsidized housing from mandating work requirements or time limits on residents who do not meet work requirements.

"We must in this moment stand up for our neighbors and ensure their ability to live and thrive in their neighborhoods, not make them work extra just to have somewhere to sleep at night," said Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago).

Sen. Graciela Guzman (D-Chicago) filed Senate Bill 330 to prohibit housing discrimination against survivors of domestic, sexual, or gender-based violence during real estate transactions.

Senate Democrats also plan to streamline the permitting process for developers to have clear and predictable timelines for housing permit reviews and inspections. 

Another bill could give tenants the right of first refusal when their property is listed for sale, or the owner receives and accepts an unsolicited third-party offer.

Democrats have also introduced a measure to crack down on private equity firms buying massive amounts of property across the state. Senate Bill 331 would establish a fee on private equity firm purchases of existing housing. Revenue generated from the fee would be reinvested into grants for public and affordable housing development. This bill could ban outside investors from buying residential property unless the property has been publicly listed for sale for at least 90 days.

Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) hopes to ban landlords from passing broker's fees onto their tenants. His plan could protect renters from being required to engage with particular agents in order to rent property as well.

"Renters shouldn't have to pay extra just to secure a place to live," Stadelman said. "This measure will end the unfair practice of landlords passing broker fees onto tenants, making housing more accessible and equitable." 

Illinois Municipal League CEO Brad Cole sent a letter to lawmakers Friday, noting his organization supports Stadelman's measure and is neutral on the bills addressing right of first refusal and public housing work requirements. However, IML members are strongly opposed to development on church land, the middle housing proposal and updated third-party inspections and reviews.

"Collectively, SB 635, SB 640, and SB 643 substantially limit municipalities' ability to make local decisions regarding zoning, density, infrastructure capacity, inspections and neighborhood compatibility, while curtailing citizen engagement, transparency and currently-required public hearings," Cole said.

Several of the ideas were included in Gov. JB Pritzker's BUILD proposal. The Illinois Realtors Association has worked with the Pritzker administration to promote each component of the BUILD plan. However, they strongly oppose the new ideas from Senate Democrats. 

"The package consists of a combination of unconstitutional takings and a double-down on the same policies that created our housing crisis," said Realtors CEO Jeff Baker. "It's a non-starter."

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