Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – “Illinois needs more housing,” said State Sen. Mattie Hunter (pictured, second from right) (D-Chicago). “It needs affordable housing, and it needs to protect the tenants already housed in our communities.”

Attempting to make good on one of Gov. JB Pritzker’s 2026 priorities, Illinois Senate Democrats Tuesday rolled out numerous bills which they want to pass by the scheduled adjournment of the legislature May 31.

“We must in this moment stand up for our neighbors and ensure their ability to live and thrive in their neighborhoods and our neighborhoods,” said State Sen. Ram Villivalam (pictured, fourth from left) (D-Chicago).

SB 329 would prohibit owners from requiring potential tenants to work with a particular agent.
SB 330 would prohibit housing discrimination against someone based on their (real or perceived) status as a victim of domestic violence.
SB 331 would impose a fee on private-equity buyers of residential property.
SB 332 would give tenants the right of first refusal when their homes are put up for sale.
SB 608 would prohibit work requirements for people who live in public housing.
SB 635 would incentivize faith-based groups to build housing on under-utilized land by exempting them from some zoning requirements.
SB 640 would require communities to relax zoning requirements to facilitate construction of lower-income housing.
SB 643 would streamline the permitting process for homebuilders.

The Illinois Municipal League opposes the components here which it says infringe on local control of zoning matters.