Housing

Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act. Provides that in any eviction proceeding in which the trier of fact determines that the tenant has complied with the terms of the last written and signed lease as to the amount and timeliness of rent payments, the proceedings shall be sealed.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Creates an eviction moratorium for residential real estate for a 12-month period against a tenant or a member of the tenant's household who: (1) has been unable to work for any period of time because of detention by immigration authorities within the previous 12 months; or (2) has experienced termination of benefits under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, or Social Security within the previous 12 months; and (3) the detention or benefit termination has materially affected the tenant's ability to pay the agreed rent. Provides that the court may issue a residential eviction order if a covered tenant poses a direct threat to the health and safety of other tenants or an immediate and severe risk to property. Prohibits a residential landlord from commencing or continuing a residential eviction action a tenant who has provided the landlord with a declaration that the tenant is a covered tenant under the Act during the 12-month period. Prohibits a residential landlord from charging any fees, penalties, or other charges related to the nonpayment of rent by a covered tenant during the 12-month period. Provides that nothing in the Act may be construed as relieving any individual of the obligation to pay rent or comply with any other obligation that an individual may have under a lease or rental agreement. Provides that the Illinois Housing Development Authority may adopt rules to create the required form for a declaration.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, each municipality shall, by ordinance, authorize the development of accessory dwelling units. Provides that each municipality shall permit accessory dwelling units in all zoning districts that permit single-family dwellings without additional requirements for lot size, setbacks, aesthetic requirements, design review requirements, frontage, space limitations, or other controls beyond those required for single-family dwelling units without an accessory dwelling unit. Provides that a municipality is not required to allow more than one accessory dwelling unit for any single-family dwelling. Provides that accessory dwelling units may be constructed at the same time as the principal dwelling unit. Provides that no municipality shall: (A) require additional automobile parking spaces for a property with an accessory dwelling unit beyond the requirements for a single-family dwelling unit without an accessory dwelling unit; (B) require the establishment of a familial relationship between the occupants of an accessory dwelling unit and the occupants of a principal dwelling unit; or (C) establish a minimum or maximum limit on (i) square footage of an accessory dwelling unit or (ii) the number of bedrooms of an accessory dwelling unit. Limits home rule powers.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that, if a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more that receives grant funding from the Department of Human Services for emergency and transitional housing fails to achieve compliance with federal and State disability discrimination laws by July 1, 2027, the Department of Human Services shall require 30% of funds allocated for emergency and transitional housing to go toward improving accessibility and achieving compliance with federal and State disability discrimination laws.

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that in the Articles governing employment, financial credit, and public accommodations it is a civil rights violation to use criteria or methods including practices, policies, and groups of practices or policies that has the effect of subjecting individuals to discrimination prohibited under the Act. Changes the definition of "unlawful discrimination" to mean discrimination against a person, whether by purpose or effect, because of his or her actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, order of protection status, disability, military status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, reproductive health decisions, or unfavorable discharge from military service as those terms are defined in the Act.

Creates the Home Construction Cost Reduction Act. Provides that the Act shall only apply to single-family homes. Provides that municipalities may not prohibit factory-built, single-family homes that comply with (1) a national building safety code; (2) rules adopted by State agencies that satisfy the requirements of the Act; and (3) all local architectural, aesthetic, and design standards applicable to site-built homes in the same district. Provides that a State agency may not impose requirements on home construction that are inconsistent with any national building safety code unless the State agency provides (i) a housing cost impact statement; (ii) a compelling public safety concern that would be addressed by the additional requirements; and (iii) notice to the General Assembly in the manner specified in the Act. Provides that each housing cost impact statement shall include (1) an estimate, in dollars, of how the proposed rule would increase the cost to construct a single-family home or factory-built home; (2) an estimate of how the proposed rule would increase the time required to construct a single-family home or factory-built home; (3) a description of how the proposed rule deviates from national building safety codes; (4) whether a lower-cost compliance alternative to the proposed rule exists; and (5) whether the requirements of the proposed rule would disproportionately affect rural or low-income homebuyers. Provides that a rule adopted after the effective date of the Act without a housing cost impact statement is void. Provides that, if a State agency fails to approve or deny a construction-related permit within 45 days, then the permit is deemed approved. Provides that the State shall waive all State-level permitting, inspection, and plan review fees for the construction of starter homes. Provides that a State agency may not increase any permitting, inspection, or plan review fee applicable to the construction of single-family homes for 5 years following the effective date of the Act. Provides that, on or before January 31 of each year, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall submit a written report containing specified information to the General Assembly. Provides that the Act is repealed 5 years after the effective date of the Act. Effective immediately.

Creates the Owner-Occupied Housing Incentive Act. Requires the Illinois Housing Development Authority to administer an owner-occupant housing incentive program that provides financial incentives to qualifying purchasers for the purchase of moderately priced owner-occupied homes. Requires the Authority to develop necessary forms, establish verification procedures, and adopt rules to implement the program that are consistent with the provisions of the Act. Requires the Authority to provide a $7,500 owner-occupant housing incentive to any qualifying purchaser of an eligible property. Provides that the owner-occupant housing incentive may be provided as a grant, closing cost credit, down payment assistance, or any other similar mechanism approved by the Authority, subject to available appropriations. Contains provisions concerning eligibility requirements; hardship exemptions; program restrictions; verification and compliance; and penalties and repayment. Provides that the Act shall be construed narrowly to promote owner-occupied home purchases and that nothing in the Act shall be interpreted to regulate or restrict lawful rental housing, landlord activity, or property ownership outside the scope of the incentive created under the Act. Effective immediately.

Creates the Senior Home Preservation Program Act. Provides that subject to appropriations, the Department of Human Services shall establish a 3-year pilot program known as the Senior Home Preservation Program (Program) to provide grants to delegate agencies to provide rehabilitation services to legacy resident low-income senior homeowners to preserve the habitability and safety of their homes. Provides that grants under the Program may be used for housing owned by a legacy resident senior to remove or correct health or safety hazards, to comply with applicable housing standards or codes, or to make needed repairs to improve the general living conditions of the legacy resident senior, including improved accessibility for seniors with disabilities. Provides that the Program shall initially be implemented in predetermined geographies with the expectation that the Program may grow to encompass all eligible populations in the State. Contains provisions concerning home repair project types and application process and operational requirements. Creates a Workforce Development Home Repair Program (Workforce Development Program) to promote the State's interest in enabling low-income senior households to age in place safely and securely. Provides that, through grants to delegate agencies, the Workforce Development Program shall aim to increase employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in census tracts with high rates of unemployment, underemployment, and poverty and to ensure that residents of those communities are able to access the work as a local employment engine. Provides that delegate agencies implementing Workforce Development Program sites shall connect trainees to jobs through committed employer partnerships related to improving the habitability and performance of homes; and shall use grant funding to cover cash stipends for trainees and costs related to the design and implementation of pre-apprenticeship and other job training programs. Requires the Department to submit annual reports. Creates the Senior Home Preservation Program Fund to cover the operational and administrative costs and program grants under the Senior Home Preservation Program. Amends the State Finance Act by adding the Senior Home Preservation Program Fund to the list of special funds.

Amends the Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax Act. Imposes a tax upon hosting platforms that facilitate the renting, leasing, or letting of short-term rentals. Provides that the tax is imposed at the rate of 4% of 94% of the gross rental receipts received by the platform from the renting, leasing, or letting of short-term rentals in this State. Provides that the proceeds from the tax shall be deposited into the Community Land Trust Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Community Land Trust Fund. Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that property that is owned by a non-profit community land trust and that is used exclusively for the creation and maintenance of permanently affordable single-family or multifamily residences is exempt beginning with the taxable year in which the property is acquired by the community land trust and continuing through the taxable year in which the property is sold to a homeowner. Effective immediately.

Creates the Standardized Protections for Residential Tenants Act. Prohibits a landlord, lessor, sub-lessor, or grantor from requiring a deposit or advance that exceeds the amount of one month's rent, unless the deposit or advance is for a seasonal use dwelling unit or unless the deposit or advance is for an owner-occupied cooperative apartment. Prohibits a landlord, lessor, sub-lessor, or grantor from charging an application fee that exceeds $20. Allows a fee for a background check or credit check of $20 or the actual cost, whichever is less. Exempts entrance fees charged licensed continuing care retirement communities, licensed assisted living providers, licensed adult care facilities, senior residential communities, or not-for-profit independent retirement communities that offer personal emergency response, housekeeping, transportation, and meals to their residents. Prohibits any payment, fee, or charge for the late payment of rent unless the payment of rent has not been made within 5 days of the date it was due, and the payment, fee, or charge does not exceed $50 or 5% of the monthly rent, whichever is less; provided a cooperative housing corporation shall be permitted to charge a tenant or lessee that is a dwelling unit owner or shareholder of such cooperative housing corporation a fee of up to 8% of the monthly maintenance fee for the late payment of the monthly maintenance fee if the proprietary lease or occupancy agreement provides for such a fee. Voids any agreement by a lessee or tenant of a dwelling waiving or modifying the rights in the Act. Authorizes the Attorney General to enforce the Act and adopt rules to implement and administer the Act. Provides that a violation of the Act is a violation of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act. Preempts home rule.