Housing

Appropriates $10,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Housing Development Authority for the Illinois Middle-Income Housing Grant Pilot Program. Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that a county opting out of the special assessment programs to reduce the assessed value of certain residential real property shall not disqualify or shorten the maximum eligibility periods for any property approved to receive a reduced valuation prior to the county opting out. Requires that the special assessment programs be available to all qualifying residential real property regardless of whether or not the property has or is currently receiving any other public financing or subsidies or subject to any regulatory agreements with any public entity, or both. If an owner is approved for the reduced valuation prior to December 31, 2037 and the provisions are not subsequently extended, this shall not disqualify or shorten the maximum eligibility periods for any property approved to receive a reduced valuation. Provides that, if the chief county assessment officer has not created application forms, the chief county assessment officer shall make publicly available and accept applications forms that shall be available to local governments from the Illinois Department of Revenue. If a county Internet website exists, the application materials, as well as any other program requirements used by the county (such as application deadlines, fees, and other procedures required by the application) must be published on that website, otherwise it must be available to the public upon request at the office of the chief county assessment officer. On an annual basis, requires the Illinois Housing Development Authority to calculate and make available on its website the minimum per square foot expenditure requirements to be applicable statewide to be eligible for the reduced valuation, which shall include the historical annual expenditure requirements starting with calendar year 2021. Changes reference to improvements to existing residential real property to substantially rehabilitated residential real property. Makes other changes.

Appropriates $6,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for a grant to the Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago for costs associated with funding equitable mortgage lending, homeownership rehabilitation and development, and homebuyer subsidies and support. Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends the Illinois Housing Development Act. Requires the Illinois Housing Development Authority to establish and administer a Housing Hardship Program to provide up to 3 months of emergency rental or mortgage assistance or up to $1,600 per month for 3 months, whichever is less, to eligible applicants who demonstrate a hardship or other extenuating circumstances that place them at risk of eviction or foreclosure. Lists certain financial hardships that qualify for assistance under the program. Provides that applicants may apply for assistance once every 2 years regardless of household income. Requires applicants to submit a financial affidavit supported by banking statements and other documentary evidence as prescribed by the Authority. Requires the Authority to provide assistance to eligible applicants based upon the following factors in order of priority: (1) Whether the applicant has never previously received housing or public assistance from any other State or federal program. (2) If the applicant has previously received housing or public assistance, the number of times the applicant received such assistance. (3) The severity of the applicant's declared hardship or circumstances. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Housing Hardship Program Fund.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that unless otherwise required by State law or federal requirements, a service provider shall not be subject to a matching funds requirement in order to be eligible to receive funds from the Department for the Emergency and Transitional Housing Program or the Supportive Housing Program. Provides that, when making funding determinations, the Department of Human services retains discretion to take into consideration the ability of a service provider to leverage other funding sources, as well as other factors that may demonstrate fiscal solvency of the service provider and that the service provider is not solely reliant on State funds for the provision of services. Effective immediately.

Amends the Electric Vehicle Charging Act. Exempts any tiny home for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and in need of secure, long-term affordable housing, if that tiny home is constructed by a specified nonprofit organization that exclusively funds and administers tiny homes for veterans. Provides that every county and municipality that has the power to issue building permits and otherwise control the construction of buildings shall require by ordinance that an applicant seeking a building permit to construct tiny homes for at-risk veterans must include with the permit application a completed and signed affidavit stating that all buildings constructed under the permit are designated for the exclusive use of qualifying veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and in need of secure, long-term affordable housing. Prohibits a county or municipality, including a home rule unit, from adopting any building code or ordinance that requires EV-capable parking spaces for tiny homes constructed for the purpose of providing affordable housing for at-risk veterans under the provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Allows for an abatement of taxes if the property is included in a new residential construction development that is located in a county with fewer than 300,000 inhabitants. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that a county shall not adopt, enforce, or implement any ordinance, resolution, policy, program, or other regulation that contains certain provisions such as imposing or threatening to impose a penalty against a resident, property owner, tenant, landlord, or other person as a consequence of requests for law enforcement or emergency assistance, on their own behalf or on behalf of another person in need of assistance, including, but not limited to, a request related to an incident of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or another act of violence or concerning an individual with a disability or a person entitled to protections under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that if a county adopts, enforces, or implements a crime-free housing or nuisance ordinance, resolution, policy, program, or other regulation, then the county shall create the Office of the Crime Free Housing Coordinator. Provides that the coordinator shall be designated by the county board and shall have no less than 3 years of experience in social work, social services, or community advocacy. Provides that the coordinator shall receive fair housing training from a qualified fair housing program, including training specific to housing protections for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other victims, persons with disabilities, and persons entitled to protection under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that any resident, property owner, tenant, landlord, or other person that receives a notice to quit due to a violation of a crime-free housing or nuisance ordinance, resolution, policy, program, or other regulation shall be directed to the Office of the Crime Free Housing Coordinator by the county. Provides that a home rule county may not regulate tenancy in a manner inconsistent with this provision. Amends the Illinois Municipal Code and the Housing Authorities Act to make conforming changes.

Makes various appropriations from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services and the Illinois Housing Development Authority for housing programs and related services for formerly incarcerated individuals. Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends the Housing Authorities Act. Requires every housing authority to post on its official website in a downloadable, printable format sample rental or lease agreements that are written in the 3 most common non-English languages spoken in the city, village, incorporated town, or county for which the housing authority was created.