Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Affordable housing is in crisis in Illinois. And lawmakers hope a tax credit program can help.

Figures from the Illinois Housing Council show the state has lost one-fifth of its low-income apartments in the last thirteen years. State Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) says lots of people’s futures, and that of the state, depend on reversing the trend.

“Illinois is uniquely positioned to take advantage of other states that have failed to protect their residents who are struggling with housing, struggling with costs,” Peters said, “and to be able to come to a state that provides a sanctuary for you when it comes to your reproductive health, when it comes to who you want to live with, when it comes to your safety, you should be able to know that you can come to a state that’s also affordable when it comes to your housing.”

The $20 million dollar proposal would incentivize investment.