Every day at the Illinois Capitol brings something different, and this Wednesday was no exception. Our statehouse team was in the thick of it with several hearings scheduled, some at the same time, requiring our team to successfully navigate between hearing rooms to ensure our members’ voices were heard.

Of note, the House Executive Committee heard testimony on HB 5626, introduced by Leader Kam Buckner. The legislation represents the Governor’s BUILD Plan and is strongly supported by Illinois REALTORS®. Three panels of proponents and two panels of opponents testified during the hearing. Illinois REALTORS® testified about the severe housing crisis impacting the state and the need to incentivize the development of new housing.

For additional background on the Governor’s BUILD Plan, please refer to the April 24 State Capitol Report.

One of the opponents to the BUILD Plan has been the Illinois Municipal League (IML), which last week introduced a plan attacking REALTORS® by calling for the state to pass a law containing several anti-REALTOR provisions.  The Illinois Municipal League, through the bill sponsor Rep. Will Davis, introduced HB 5765, the legislative version of the IML proposal released last week. The measure contains several provisions strongly opposed by Illinois REALTORS®, including RENT CONTROL and caps on real estate commissions. This legislation represents a direct attack on REALTORS® and private property rights in communities across Illinois. Illinois REALTORS® is working to ensure this bill doesn’t see the light of day.

To close out the week, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on SB 3777. The legislation would expand human rights violations to apply broadly to nearly all business practices and policies — whether intentional or unintentional, actual or perceived. Two years ago, following extensive negotiations, the real estate industry was exempted from the concept of disparate impact within both the Human Rights Act and RELA. Disparate-impact discrimination is a legal doctrine that considers certain policies unlawful if they produce disproportionately negative effects on a protected class, even when there was no intent to discriminate.

SB 3777 would significantly broaden the application of federal standards to virtually every aspect of business operations, including listing advertisements, background checks, and other common business practices. Illinois REALTORS® strongly OPPOSES this legislation. The bill passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on a partisan vote and has now advanced to Second Reading in the Senate. Illinois REALTORS® is urging business organizations across the state to join in opposition to the measure.

Only three weeks remain before the scheduled adjournment date of May 31, 2026. Significant work remains ahead, and your continued involvement and advocacy will be critical as we move through the final weeks of session.