Housing

Amends the Illinois Housing Development Act. Provides that the Illinois Housing Development Authority shall make grants to nonprofit corporations for housing counseling services, subject to appropriation for that purpose and in accordance with rules adopted by the Authority.

Creates the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act. Establishes a statutory right of first refusal for tenants and tenant associations if an owner seeks to sell a residential rental property in Illinois. Applies to all rental property with 11 exceptions. Allows tenants or a tenant association to purchase the property on the same terms as a third-party offer. Requires owners to provide advance notice of intent to sell no less than 60 days before listing for buildings with 5 or more units and no less than 30 days for buildings with 4 or fewer units. Requires that the notice must include property details, asking price, and a summary of tenant rights. Provides that after receiving a notice of sale, tenants of 5 or more units have 90 days to form a tenant association, for 3-4 units have 30 days; and for 1-2 units, at least one tenant has 15 days to declare intent to exercise the right of first refusal. Provides that tenants must match the third-party offer and provide the owner with a letter of intent of financing or preapproval within 120 calendar days from the date of the notice for 5 or more dwelling units and 60 days for 4 or fewer units. Prohibits the owner from requiring a tenant to pay a deposit of more than 5% of the contract sale price. Provides a civil cause of action and remedies for a violation of the Act. Authorizes the Illinois Housing Development Authority to adopt rules. Makes other changes.

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.

Amends the Fair Patient Billing Act. In provisions concerning hospitals and their agents pursuing collection actions, provides that, for any legal action initiated against a patient for unpaid medical debt, a hospital may not file for or be granted a lien upon that patient's primary residence or on any other real property owned by the patient. Effective January 1, 2027.

Appropriates $50,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Housing Development Authority for the purpose of depositing into the First-Generation Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Fund to provide down payments and closing costs assistance to eligible first-generation homebuyers, and other administrative expenses under the First-Generation Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program. Effective July 1, 2026.

Appropriates $352,200,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for grants and administrative expenses of the Home Illinois Program. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Department of Revenue Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Revenue shall administer a program to provide assistance to qualified mobile home owners who have experienced rent increases associated with lots in mobile home parks. Provides that a qualified mobile home owner is an individual who (i) is 65 years of age or older during the calendar year for which the subsidy is awarded, (ii) has an ownership interest in a mobile home that is located in a mobile home park or a manufactured home that is located in a mobile home park, (iii) uses the mobile home or manufactured home as the individual's principal dwelling place during specified periods of time, and (iv) has a household income that does not exceed certain limitations. Effective immediately.

Creates the Starter Home Incentive Zone Act. Provides that a municipality may establish a Starter Home Incentive Zone within a designated area if the municipality adopts any 3 of the following reforms within a designated zone: (1) reduced minimum lot sizes applicable to detached single-family homes; (2) reduced minimum dwelling size requirements permitting homes of 1,600 square feet or less; (3) fast-track permitting with a decision issued within 10 to 20 business days; (4) reduction, waiver, or cap of impact fees for detached single-family homes; or (5) reduced setback requirements. Provides that municipalities containing a Starter Home Incentive Zone shall receive specified benefits from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Provides that municipalities containing a Starter Home Incentive Zone may receive specified benefits from the Department of Transportation. Provides that, on or before January 31 of each year, a SHIZ-certified municipality shall submit a report, not to exceed 2 pages, containing specified information for each Starter Home Incentive Zone within the municipality. Requires the Department to adopt rules necessary to implement the Act in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Provides that the Department may not require any municipality to submit reports, data, analyses, or documentation beyond the annual compliance report, unless expressly authorized by the Act. Limits home rule powers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Housing Development Act. Requires the Illinois Housing Development Authority (Authority) to establish and administer a First-Generation Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program to provide targeted assistance to eligible first-generation homebuyers throughout the State for the purchase of a single-family or non-commercial multi-family residence. Sets forth eligibility requirements. Permits the Authority to prioritize assistance to applicants purchasing homes in designated community priority areas, applicants with household income below 80%, and applicants purchasing homes in areas with low homeownership rates, high housing costs burdens, or limited access to affordable mortgage credit. Provides that assistance under the program shall be provided as a forgivable loan to be forgiven pro rata on a monthly basis over a 5-year period of continuous owner-occupancy. Sets forth the available loan amounts and provides that assistance funds may be used for down payments, closing costs, mortgage insurance, interest rate buydowns, or principal reduction. Permits the Authority to waive repayment in cases of documented financial hardship that is beyond the control of the homebuyer. Permits the Authority to adopt rules to implement and administer the program. Effective July 1, 2026.

Creates the Let the People Lift the Ban Act. Includes legislative findings and purpose. Defines terms. Excludes specified types of residences and occupancies from the Act. Includes provisions relating to rental agreements, tenant and landlord rights and obligations, tenant and landlord remedies, security deposits, retaliatory conduct, lockouts, and conflict with other provisions of law. Amends the Rent Control Preemption Act. Provides that a prohibition on a unit of local government enacting, maintaining, or enforcing an ordinance or resolution that would have the effect of controlling the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential or commercial property does not apply if the voters of the unit of local government have approved a referendum allowing rent control. Adds provisions about local rent control regulation, including regulation within a district, precinct, ward, or other similar subdivision of a unit of local government. Changes the home rule preemption of the Act to concurrent exercise of home rule powers by a unit rather than exclusive exercise by the State. Repeals the Retaliatory Eviction Act. Effective immediately.