Housing

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.

Appropriates $10,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for the Housing is Recovery program. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that it is a civil rights violation in the Real Estate Article to unlawfully discriminate because of a person's history of experiencing domestic or sexual violence. Defines "domestic violence" and "sexual violence".

Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Community Housing Reintegration Fund. Provides that moneys in the Fund may be used to provide housing-related costs for eligible persons who are either (i) transitioning out of congregate long-term care settings into less restrictive independent and community-based housing or (ii) facing impending placement in a congregate long-term care facility due to lack of affordable accessible housing. Amends the Property Tax Code. Increases the real estate transfer tax from $0.50 per $500 of valuation to $0.75 per $500 in valuation. Provides that a portion of the proceeds from the real estate transfer tax shall be deposited into the Community Housing Reintegration Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act. Prohibits the total amount of a security deposit from exceeding the amount of the first full month's rent for the tenant's dwelling that is the primary residence of the tenant. Allows a landlord to only charge a tenant a security deposit upon the signing of an initial lease agreement. Prohibits a landlord from charging a tenant an additional security deposit or increase the total amount of a security deposit upon the renewal of a lease or upon an increase in rent. Prohibits a landlord from increasing rent by more than 3.5% in a 12-month period for a dwelling that is the primary residence of the tenant. Requires that a landlord provide a tenant with a minimum of 30 days' written notice before increasing rent. Provides that if written notice is not provided, the tenant is not liable for the difference between the initial rent and the increased rent. Provides that any person alleging a violation of these new provisions may bring a civil action, in accordance with applicable law, in any court of competent jurisdiction and the court may order injunctive relief, monetary relief, attorney's fees, and costs.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that certain property on which a community-integrated living arrangement is located is entitled to a reduction in its equalized assessed value in an amount equal to the product that results when the number of occupants who use the community-integrated living arrangement as a primary residence is multiplied by $2,000. Provides that property qualifies for the homestead exemption for persons with disabilities even if the person with a disability is not an owner of record of the property or liable for paying property taxes if a family member of the person with a disability meets those criteria. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, in the case of residential property that is subject to an application for judgment and sale for delinquent taxes, the county collector shall notify all known occupants of those dwelling units that an application for judgment and sale has been filed with respect to that property.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that termination of water utility service to a residential user, including a tenant of a mastermetered apartment building, for nonpayment of bills is prohibited: (1) on any day when the National Weather Service forecast for the following 6 days covering the area of the utility in which the residence is located includes a forecast that the temperature will be 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below; (2) on any day when the National Weather Service forecast for the following 6 days covering the area of the utility in which the residence is located includes a forecast that the temperature will be 90 degrees Fahrenheit or above; or (3) when the National Weather Service issues an excessive heat watch, excessive heat warning, or heat advisory covering the area of the utility in which the residence is located. In provisions concerning procedures for a large public utility to acquire a water or sewer utility, provides that if the water or sewer utility being acquired is owned by the State or a political subdivision of the State, a referendum will be required to approve the acquisition of the water or sewer utility by the large public utility (rather than only requiring a public meeting and publication of the terms of acquisition in a newspaper of general circulation in the area that the water or sewer utility operates). Effective immediately.

Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act. Provides that a tenant of a residential lease whose residential unit, dwelling, or common areas in the tenant's building is in violation of any applicable health or safety codes because of the fault of the landlord may terminate a lease without penalty or liability by providing the landlord with at least 30 days' written notice. Provides that "fault of the landlord" also means a failure to timely remove any violation of applicable health or safety codes. Provides that on the death of the tenant or if there is more than one tenant, upon the death of all tenants, the landlord or the representative of the tenant's estate may terminate the lease upon at least 30 days' written notice to the other party. Provides that after the lease agreement was entered into, a tenant or the legal representative of a tenant who has been determined to need long-term, full-time care may terminate a residential lease without penalty or liability by providing the landlord with at least 30 days' written notice and include an explanation of the reason and expected length of time for the tenant's departure. Provides that on termination of the lease, if any rent payment was made in advance, the landlord must return any unearned portion and security deposit paid, except to the extent that there are actual damages or repairs to be paid from the security deposit as provided in the lease agreement. Prohibits any attempted waiver or waiver provision in a lease agreement of the right to terminate is null and void. Prohibits any lease provision or agreement requiring a longer notice period than required by the Act is null and void, unless the landlord and tenant or tenant's personal representative agree to modify other specific provisions of the Act. Provides that the amendatory Act applies to leases executed on or after its effective date.

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.