COVID-19 has caused unprecedented economic instability for renters, homeowners, and landlords across Illinois.
The pandemic has only exacerbated the housing crisis. In these uncertain times, no one should fear losing their home.
As soon as possible in the 2021 General Assembly session, we need the active support of organizations and individuals to help pass an emergency state law (House Bill 2877 and Senate Bill 688):
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Requiring the sealing of all eviction records between March 2020 and March 2022 upon filing, with limited unsealing allowed if a judgment is entered and the case is unrelated to nonpayment of rent.
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Requiring the sealing of older eviction records if the court finds that doing so is in the interests of justice, the case is dismissed, the tenant did not breach the lease, or the parties agree to seal the record. This provision sunsets in July 2022.
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Prohibiting tenant screening companies from disseminating a sealed eviction court record.
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Codifying components of the federally-funded Emergency Rental Assistance program that the State of Illinois will implement in 2021. State and local governments in Illinois will be receiving approximately $834 million in emergency rental assistance from the December 2020 federal COVID-19 stimulus bill, with $566 million going to state agencies.
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Temporarily halting certain foreclosure proceedings and filings through May 1, 2021 and judicial sales and orders of possession through July 31, 2021.
Learn more from our fact sheet »
Our champions in the General Assembly include State Representatives Delia Ramirez and Lindsey LaPointe, as well as State Senators Omar Aquino, Robert Peters and Ram Villivalam.
Feel free to reach out with comments or questions to Bob Palmer at bob@housingactionil.org.
Housing Action Illinois, Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing and the Shriver Center on Poverty Law ask you to endorse our current work to pass state legislation creating COVID-19 emergency housing protections.
Please complete the form below to endorse.
Thank you!
