Housing (Affordable Housing)

Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Provides that any applicant for a permit for an entrance or exit to a subdivision for affordable housing developments may request in writing from the Department of Transportation an expedited review of the application for a permit. Provides that an applicant requesting expedited review shall pay to the Department an expedited permit fee of $10,000, which shall be deposited into the Road Fund. Provides that if the Department fails to complete an expedited review within the period of time agreed upon by the Department and the applicant, the applicant shall be entitled to a refund of the expedited permit fee on a prorated basis. Provides that the provisions do not apply to applications related to emergency events necessitating immediate action by the Department on permit applications. Allows the Department to adopt rules to implement the provisions.

HB 4841 permanently extends a 50% tax credit for Illinois taxpayers who donate to affordable housing projects under the Illinois Housing Development Act. It directly affects donors - such as individuals, businesses, and investors - who contribute to qualifying housing developments. The bill removes the previous expiration date (December 31, 2026), making the credit permanent and effective immediately. Taxpayers can apply the credit against state income tax, carry forward excess credits for up to five years, and transfer the credit to eligible projects or other donors.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that all housing assistance payments payable from funds appropriated to the Department of Human Services in State Fiscal Year 2027 for the purpose of providing ongoing housing assistance to long-term care residents seeking to transition to less restrictive community housing shall be structured to ensure that housing assistance recipients pay no more than 30% of their income as housing costs and may relocate to a different residence that meets applicable Department rules without losing eligibility for such housing assistance payments. Effective July 1, 2026.

Appropriates $40,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services to provide on-going housing assistance for persons needing affordable housing in order to transition into less restrictive community housing from a long-term care facility regulated under Title 77, 59, or 89 of the Illinois Administrative Code. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Comprehensive Housing Planning Act. Requires the State to prepare and be guided by a 3-year Comprehensive Housing Plan, that is consistent with the affirmative fair housing provisions of the Illinois Human Rights Act and specifically addresses specified underserved populations including low-income households, individuals, and older adults with a population-specific need; survivors of gender-based violence; unnecessarily institutionalized persons; veterans; and youth, including those aging out of the foster care system; and any other high need population, as determined by the State Housing Task Force, to be defined in the Comprehensive Housing Plan, and revisited each planning cycle, as needed. Requires the Comprehensive Housing Plan to reflect the State's commitment to an affordable housing approach for priority populations that promotes access to opportunity and resources for low-income households through certain priority initiatives. Expands the membership on the State Housing Task Force to include the Directors or Secretaries of several State departments and agencies. Requires the State Housing Task Force to, in addition to other activities: (i) adopt a mission statement no later than June 30, 2027 that may be updated during each Comprehensive Housing Plan 3-year cycle, as needed; (ii) oversee the implementation of the Comprehensive Housing Plan; and (iii) vote on research questions and affordable housing topics, which will serve as a framework for meetings and activities, and on definitions to ensure they are aligned with State initiatives. Prohibits the Illinois Housing Development Authority from directly or indirectly having a financial interest in an Authority contract. Repeals a provision concerning the Interagency Committee and removes all references to the Interagency Committee.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Requires the Director of Insurance to examine and investigate the affairs of any company to determine whether the company has been or is engaged in any rate setting that is excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory regarding affordable housing developments. Requires the Director to submit a report concerning aggregated housing insurance market statistics for the prior calendar year on or before October 1 of each year to the Governor and the General Assembly that shall be posted on the publicly accessible websites of both the Governor and the General Assembly. Provides that submissions that constitute trade secrets or sensitive commercial information are confidential under the Freedom of Information Act. Requires the Department of Insurance to consult with excess line and Illinois property insurance underwriting associations regarding reporting formats that capture excess-line placements and assigned-risk activity without identifying individual insureds. Grants the Department authority to adopt rules or circular letters, harmonize data standards with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and other states, limit the burden on small insurers, and ensure data quality. Effective immediately.

Creates the Home for Good Act. Provides that the Home for Good Program is created as a statewide coordinated program designed to provide housing and services to persons with arrest and conviction records and persons who are currently or formerly incarcerated (targeted population). Provides that the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) shall be responsible for providing appropriate resources to potential applicants to acquire, develop, and rehabilitate permanent affordable housing units and transitional housing units that are designated exclusively for the targeted population. Provides that the granting and application process shall follow the existing program model of the Housing for Justice Involved Individuals Program. Requires IHDA to be responsible for providing site-based rental housing subsidies to community organizations who work with the targeted population which may be used to enter into lease agreements and master lease agreements for the purpose of providing housing for program participants, and tenant-based rental subsidies. Requires the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) to provide appropriate resources to community organizations who work with the targeted population. Provides that such resources shall be used to provide case management and reentry navigation services to Program participants; and to make supportive services available to Program participants, which may include housing and related services, physical and behavioral health, education, family reunification and relationship building, transportation, job training, acquiring vital documents, and meeting basic needs. Contains provisions concerning a requirement that a housing needs assessment tool be administered to all individuals exiting the Illinois Department of Corrections; a requirement that the Executive Director of IHDA create a Home for Good Institute to provide training and technical assistance to community organizations who intend to acquire, develop, rehabilitate, or operate permanent and transitional housing units for the targeted population; the establishment of the Home for Good Oversight Board; and rulemaking authority to implement the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, the corporate authorities of a municipality shall not require more than 0.5 automobile parking spaces per multifamily dwelling unit or more than one automobile parking space per single-family home. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, the corporate authorities of a municipality shall not establish minimum automobile parking requirements for (A) residential dwellings of less than 1,500 square feet; (B) affordable housing projects under the Illinois Affordable Housing Act; (C) assisted living establishments; (D) ground level nonresidential spaces in mixed-use buildings; or (E) buildings undergoing a change of use from nonresidential to residential. Provides that requirements for automobile parking spaces permanently marked for the exclusive use of individuals with disabilities are not subject to the provisions. Provides that, if the provisions conflict with a developer's contractual agreement or approved site plan with the corporate authorities of a municipality that was executed or approved on or before the effective date of the amendatory Act, then the contractual agreement or approved site plan is not subject to the provisions. Provides that nothing in the provisions prevents a municipality from enacting or enforcing an ordinance or resolution that establishes a maximum automobile parking requirement that is more stringent than or equal to the automobile parking requirements of the provisions. Provides that nothing in the provisions prohibits a developer from constructing additional automobile parking that is not available to the public. Limits home rule powers.

Creates the Faith-Based Housing and Mixed-Use By-Right Act. Provides that a unit of local government shall permit multifamily developments and mixed-use developments as allowable by-right uses on faith-based land. Provides that a unit of local government may not require a proposed multifamily or mixed-use development on faith-based land to obtain any discretionary approval in order to permit the proposed use and development or allow for the minimum development standards and limitations established by the Act. Provides that the by-right entitlement under the Act applies whether or not the faith-based organization continues to operate an existing religious, educational, or community facility on the same parcel or adjacent parcel, and regardless of whether the housing is owned, leased, operated, or developed by the faith-based organization or by a partner acting under agreement with the faith-based organization. Provides that nothing in the Act affects the authority of a unit of local government to apply to a development authorized by this Act requirements that are (1) generally applicable to comparable developments within the jurisdiction; (2) objective and ascertainable on the face of the ordinance or code provision; and (3) related to public health and safety. Provides that a unit of local government shall approve an application for a multifamily or mixed-use development on faith-based land if the development satisfies the unit of local government's generally applicable, objective land development and building regulations as limited by the Act. Limits the concurrent use of home rule powers. Effective immediately.

Creates the Residential Rental Property Registry Act and amends the Illinois Affordable Housing Act. Requires the State to establish the Residential Rental Registry to be maintained and monitored by the Illinois Housing Development Authority. Requires that each landlord of one or more dwelling units, including condominium and cooperative units, must register each dwelling unit by January 1 of each year with the Residential Rental Registry. Prohibits a person from allowing to be occupied or rented or charge, accept, or retain rent for any dwelling unit unless the landlord has registered the dwelling unit with the Residential Rental Registry. Provides that a landlord who has not paid the rental registry fee within the past 12 months for a particular dwelling unit may not increase the rent charged for the dwelling unit until the landlord pays, in full, the rental registry fee currently due for the dwelling unit. Requires all landlords of residential dwelling units to pay an annual registration fee in the amount of $100 per dwelling unit, excluding a local housing authority and an owner-occupied building of 6 or fewer units that pays a fee of $50 per dwelling unit. Authorizes the Illinois Housing Development Authority to administer the Act and adopt appropriate rules to implement the Act. Creates penalties for a landlord that provides false or misleading information to the Authority. Provides that registration fees and fines collected under the Residential Rental Property Act shall be deposited into the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund for the purpose of providing rental assistance.