SPRINGFIELD, ILL. – Illinois REALTORS®, the state’s leading authority on housing matters, applauds Gov. JB Pritzker’s support of missing middle housing solutions, included in today’s 2026 state budget address.

“For the past six years, our members have been the leading voice at the Capitol and in local city and village halls advocating for common-sense solutions to our state’s housing crisis,” said Illinois REALTORS® CEO Jeff Baker. “We are pleased to see the Governor embrace the roadmap we have proposed—specifically the expansion of ADUs and zoning flexibility for ‘missing middle’ housing.”

The measures highlighted in today’s state budget address mirror the core pillars of Illinois REALTORS®’ legislative platform since 2020. Since then, Illinois REALTORS® has met with hundreds of local and state officials to discuss these initiatives. In 2024, Baker served on the Governor’s Ad-Hoc Missing Middle Housing Solutions Advisory Committee.

In December 2024, Baker spoke at the Governor’s announcement of the housing solutions reporter and reminded everyone that this is about strengthening Illinois’ housing economy for all Illinois families. “Our state’s housing shortage destabilizes families and communities. It doesn’t just prevent us from realizing the American Dream of homeownership, it drives some of out the housing market all together.”

Jeff Kolbus, Illinois REALTORS® Board President added: “While we have been proposing these measures for years, having the Governor’s support is a significant turning point. We look forward to working alongside the administration and the legislature to ensure these association-backed priorities become law.