| Status of the Two Ordinances and
How You Can Help Us Advocate
Both ordinances would amend the Chicago Residential Landlord-Tenant Ordinance (RLTO). Mayor Johnson’s PRO measure proposes sweeping changes to the RLTO, adds burdensome registration fees, and creates an entirely new City bureaucracy at a time when Chicago faces a deficit of nearly $1 billion.
Although far from ideal, the proposed FAIR Ordinance—sponsored by more than 20 aldermen—offers more measured changes to the RLTO, adding protections for renters without driving up the cost of providing housing.
Both ordinances were approved by City Council committees last week and are scheduled for a City Council vote this Wednesday, September 23. However, both measures will likely be deferred until the next City Council meeting in October.
In the meantime, we urge you to take two actions:
- Attend the City Council meeting this Wednesday, September 23, at 10:00 a.m. in the City Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall (121 N. LaSalle Street). Although the ordinances will likely not come to a vote, it is important for housing providers to attend in force. Our strong presence at last week’s committee meetings clearly affected the aldermen and provided an important counterweight to the tenant advocates who also attended.
- Call and/or write your alderman to express your strong opposition to Mayor Johnson’s PRO measure. Personal calls and emails from people who live or own property in an alderman’s ward can have a meaningful impact. Tenant advocates are making their voices heard; your alderperson needs to hear from you as well.
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