Legislators returned to Springfield this week and most of the attention was on Gov. JB Pritzker’s State of the State and Budget address. In his seventh address, Gov. Pritzker highlighted some of the glaring issues Illinois faces and discussed some of the important programs he intends to create and extend. We were pleased that he not only addressed the current housing inventory shortage, but more importantly emphasized to legislators the importance of creating new housing initiatives that will aid in new developments and construction.

“Last year, I appointed a Director of Housing Solutions and formed an advisory committee of housing experts. They proposed a slate of reforms to unlock new financing, attract capital, incentivize builders, and eliminate unnecessary barriers to housing construction. This year, I’m asking the General Assembly to put those recommendations to work so we can make Illinois housing more available and economical.”

Illinois REALTORS® CEO Jeff Baker was among the housing experts selected for the Governor’s Ad Hoc Housing Advisory Committee. Through collaboration with and recommendations made by this advisory committee, Illinois REALTORS® has launched the “Housing Stability & Affordability Initiative,” a concentrated and comprehensive plan to address the lack of housing inventory and affordability in Illinois.

Learn more about the “Housing Stability & Affordability Initiative” at www.illinoisrealtors.org/housing.