UPDATE 3/30/2020: The Chicago Tribune reports that the Chicago Department of Housing claims Mayor Lori Lightfoot cannot enact a rent freeze unless Illinois repeals its 1997 ban on rent control. In response, we call on Governor JB Pritzker to use his emergency executive powers to immediately repeal the Rent Control Preemption Act. You can contact the governor to demand he do so by calling his Constituent Affairs line at 217-782-0244.



We are in the middle of a public health catastrophe, during which everyone’s sole focus should be protecting themselves and their communities. But instead, many are worrying how they will pay rent on April 1st.

In a City where 51% of households are rent-burdened, one missed paycheck can mean a choice between groceries or rent, with a looming potential for homelessness.

Recently, the Circuit Court of Cook County drastically scaled back operations for 30 days, but says that “civil lawsuits may still be filed in person or via electronic filing." It is unacceptable that landlords will still file for evictions during this crisis. Simply having your name appear in an eviction filing can drastically hurt your chances of finding new housing.

Tenants who know that missing rent could result in an eviction case on their record are more likely to go to work with symptoms and risk spreading the virus. Tenants forced to move face logistical hardships and a higher risk of spreading and/or contracting the virus.

The only way to slow the virus’ spread is to assure people that they will not be penalized for playing it safe. As such, we are calling for an indefinite freeze on collection of all rent, mortgage, and utility payments throughout the duration of the crisis.

In addition, we are calling on the Circuit Court to close all court filings for evictions and foreclosures, for the city to house residents experiencing homelessness immediately, and for landlords to grant automatic lease extensions to tenants unable to move during the crisis. Stable housing is a crucial element of individual and public safety, especially during a crisis like this.

These actions must be taken not for just 30 days, but indefinitely, for at least as long as a risk to public health remains. Government agencies have not acted honestly and effectively to prevent the pandemic from reaching its current point, and now the most vulnerable members of our society stand to pay for it unless drastic action is taken.