Illinois raised the age limit for its ABLE savings program from 27 to 47, making about 250,000 more residents eligible. The accounts allow people with disabilities to save for expenses like housing and medical bills without losing Medicaid or SSI benefits.

Fox – 32 Chicago

A group of suburban mayors is concerned legislation meant to expand affordable housing in Illinois could take away local control over what gets built and where.

“We don’t believe that it’s been thought through. It doesn’t take into account how communities were created,” said Nicole Milovich-Walters, the mayor of Palos Park.

Instead of leaving zoning regulations up to local communities, the package of bills would make a series of changes that would affect housing statewide, including allowing small apartment buildings in residential areas and smaller second homes, like backyard cottages and granny flats, on lots that already have single-family homes.

Illinois is short roughly 142,000 housing units and will need to build over 225,000 units in five years to keep up with growing demand, according to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s office.

Because of that shortage, Pritzker introduced the Building Up Illinois Developments, or BUILD, plan as part of his “State of the State” address in February.

The governor’s office sees the legislation as a way to create more starter homes and cut red tape, so developers can build faster. But many suburban mayors have registered against the bills, in large part because they think zoning decisions should be left up to their individual towns and cities.

Some cities, including Palos Park have even drafted sample letters for residents to voice their concerns to Pritzker and lawmakers.

“We were developed intentionally over the last 114 years to keep open space. And giving up the idea of giving up our zoning rights and how we do things, it could be detrimental in many ways to Palos Park,” Milovich-Walters said.

Housing advocates voiced their support during a committee hearing Thursday.

“Everyone is struggling with a lack of affordable quality supply for people to buy homes, whether it’s a single family home or a condominium,” said Bob Palmer from Housing Action Illinois.

Jim Dodge, the mayor of Orland Park, said the legislation “needs some work.” His primary concern is how it would impact infrastructure.

“If we start adding a lot more housing, that’s going to impact flooding and stormwater management and other public services. So, we need to think those things through,” Dodge said.

He also added, “Is there a place for multifamily housing? Sure. Where to put it and how do you fit that into the design of your town is the open question, and that’s why every town in Illinois is different, which is why they’re going to get a lot of different opinions from every mayor in Illinois.”

There are concerns about impeding local control from officials and residents like Jay Vincent.

“In the end, we want to have a say in what is built in Palos Park,” Vincent said. “We just updated our code here in Palos Park, and we had great public participation throughout the community, and we really appreciate having a say on what gets built in our community.

Olivia Ortega, director of housing solutions for the Governor’s Office, responded to concerns during the hearing, explaining that communities would still guide the design of their neighborhoods.

“If your community is used to duplexes or four-flats, you can design standards to support those forms. If your neighborhoods are primarily single-family (homes), you can shape how smaller-scale options like cottage homes fit into those areas,” Ortega said.

What else is in the bills?

Changes would also be made to the the timelines in which housing permit reviews and inspections have to be conducted to prevent project delays. If deadlines are missed, third-party review would be allowed.

Another bill would limit how much parking cities in Illinois are allowed to require for new housing. For multifamily buildings, cities can require no more than half a parking space per unit.

Currently, buildings taller than three stories must have two separate exit stairways, but one of the bills would allow apartment buildings up to six stories to have a single exit stairway. The governor’s staff said that would expand the types of housing units that could be designed.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) — A big step for the Bears, but there’s still a long way to go for the team to commit to staying in Illinois.

The Illinois House passed a bill last night that could give tax breaks on a new stadium.

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With the Illinois House passed the so-called “mega-project” bill – now on its way to the Senate, most people ABC7 spoke with Thursday in Arlington Heights said they hope this means the Chicago Bears will get to remain the pride and joy of Illinois.

“We’ve been working on this for a few years and this is the first sign that we’re going to get to a finish line here in Arlington Heights,” Ernie Rose with Touchdown Arlington said. “I think there’s a growing sense of optimism that there’s something that will be built.”

A lot of excitement in Arlington Heights following the passing of the “mega-project” bill.

“Definitely a step in the right direction,” Cheryl Kolasa, who lives in Arlington Heights, said. “We have been waiting for this and going to all kind of meetings and hopefully it’s coming.”

People who live in Arlington Heights said they hope this means the Bears are one step closer toward moving to their village.

“You will not be able to get a ticket to the Bears game if they come to Arlington Heights for years because the support will be so phenomenal,” Gary Aspelian, who lives in Arlington Heights, said.

Still, the team said there’s more work to be done as far as infrastructure funding, saying in a statement, “We welcome the progress made on the House’s version of the mega project bill; however, additional amendments are necessary to make the Arlington Heights site feasible for our stadium project,”

Ernie Rose with Touchdown Arlington, said “All we’ve asked all along is to get an infrastructure in place that allows our residents, through our village board, to negotiate between the Bears. And this Bill provides us the framework for that.”

The Bears have owned the former home of the Arlington Race Track for more than three years now with plans to build a multibillion dollar stadium.

Under the mega-project bill, the Bears wouldn’t have to pay traditional property taxes.

Instead, they’d work out a deal with local leaders to make what’s called a “payment in lieu of taxes” or PILOT.

Then, by law, about half of that money would go back into property tax relief for homeowners.

“The only thing that would kind of be up in the air for me is the commute that affects my drive,” Bianca Garcia, who works in Arlington Heights, said. “I know some people are really excited so I’m like it would be really cool, the train is right there, and it’s hard getting in from Soldier Field.”

“Many, many residents are OK with it,” Kolasa said. “They’re on board with it. We’re excited. Some people you’re never gonna make them happy. They were like oh the traffic and the taxes and all that. I feel it’s only going to make it even better. Just bring people and money to the area.”

Governor JB Pritzker’s Office said this marks an important first step, saying, “Governor Pritzker has been clear and consistent for years that the Bears should remain in Illinois, and that any legislation needs to protect taxpayers.”

Arlington Heights released a statement saying they are encouraged and will continue working with the Bears and state legislators.

“I’m truly encouraged by yesterday’s progress and optimistic that we can maintain this momentum as the Bill moves through the legislative approval process,” said Mayor Jim Tinaglia. “Our belief that this property offers immense potential for the Chicago Bears, the region, and the State of Illinois, has never wavered. Now that the Bill passed the House, we’re one step closer to working towards a world class site concept that is a win for our community, the team, and the region as a whole.”

If Illinois lawmakers can’t come up with a deal the Bears like, Indiana lawmakers already passed their own legislation to entice the team across state lines, as well, which is still very much in play.