RENT CONTROL
Jane Addams Senior Caucus is proud member of the Lift The Ban Coalition that is advocating for economic well-being and stability for Illinois’ families through repealing the Statewide Rent Control Preemption Act of 1997, and establishing rent control for Chicago residents.
WHAT IS RENT CONTROL?
Rent control is a policy that limits how much landlords can raise the rent each year. Right now in Illinois, landlords can raise the rent as much as they want. But in states like New York and California, strong tenant movements have fought for and won rent control in order to protect their housing stability and their communities.
WHY DO WE NEED RENT CONTROL IN CHICAGO?
There is an affordable housing crisis in Chicago. Working-class people, especially people of color, are being pushed out of the city.
Here are some facts about Cook County:
The number of renter households has been on the rise since the financial crisis, jumping from 37.7 percent in 2007 to 44.2 percent of households in 2015.
At the same time, the number of affordable rental units is dropping.
53% of renters pay more than they can afford (i.e., more than 30% of their incomes).
Cook County has lost a quarter of its Black population since 1980. Pilsen has lost more than 10,000 Latinos since 2000, and the number of families with children in the neighborhood dropped by 41 percent between 2000 and 2010.
We need rent control to empower tenants against landlords and developers. Working-class people have the right to stay in our homes and our communities. Winning rent control will help us win the power to decide what our communities look like and who gets to live there.
HOW WILL RENT CONTROL HELP SENIORS?
Seniors throughout the Chicago area are struggling to keep up with rent increases on a fixed income, being displaced from neighborhoods they’ve known all their lives, and unable to afford housing in their own communities. For seniors to be able to age in place with dignity, we need limits on how much landlords can raise the rent - so we’re fighting for rent control!
HOW ARE WE FIGHTING TO WIN?
The Lift The Ban Coalition is a coalition of more than 30 organizations that are fighting to lift the statewide ban on rent control and pass rent control in Chicago.
As a proud member of the Lift the Ban Coalition, Jane Addams Senior Caucus helped pass a rent control referendum in the 49th Ward in November 2018. Our members have participated in many public actions urging our elected officials to support our bill to lift the ban.
RENT CONTROL REPORT
A recent report shows how rent control will help nationally to address the Housing Crisis.
Using this link you can send an email to your State Senator and State Representative to let them know that you support Lifting The Ban on rent control!
GET INVOLVED
To join JASC in our organizing to lift the statewide ban on rent control email robin@seniorcaucus.org or 312-787-2382 x 222