Gov. JB Pritzker advocated for his housing plan and pushed back on concerns that it would overturn local control, concerns Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Chicago) said are valid. 

Pritzker proposed the Building Up Illinois Developments or BUILD plan during his State of the State address in February. The plan aims to decrease restrictions on multi-unit housing, decrease red tape for new developments, limit parking requirements for new developments and allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) statewide.

The governor told members of the Illinois REALTORS Tuesday that the plan seeks to speed up housing development, with the state falling behind other states in recovering from supply chain issues over the past six years.

He said the state’s housing crisis affects all aspects of the state's economy. Families and individuals struggle to find homes, something Pritzker said makes it more difficult to attract businesses.

Pritzker blamed the problem, in part, on “restrictive regulations in local jurisdictions.” These regulations include restrictions on multi-unit housing and ADUs.

“We have realtors who are ready to sell those homes, and we have Illinoisans who need those homes, and it doesn't get done because of these regulations,” he said. "It's on all of us to help fix that problem.”

The BUILD plan would prevent local zoning boards from prohibiting multi-unit housing on residential lots above 2,500 square feet. The number of units allowed would be determined by how large the lot is.

It would also legalize ADUs — such as attic and basement conversions, coach houses and other types of granny flats — statewide and includes several provisions that aim to speed up the permitting and inspection process.

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Pritzker’s proposed budget also includes $250 million in infrastructure funding toward programs that aim to stimulate housing development.

The governor said the plan aims to help stimulate housing development statewide.

“City by city, town by town, neighborhood by neighborhood, block by block, a little more housing in each area of the state can make a world of difference, and it's an opportunity for our state's economy to grow,” he said.

Pritzker pushed back on the notion that the measure is seeking to overrule local authority over zoning.

“It is literally about just adding a few more homes everywhere in the state,” he said. “We're not talking about putting 100-unit buildings into a small, ranch-style housing area or neighborhood.”

Welch was not quick to dismiss concerns from municipalities over the plan, saying their worries are valid and that they should be part of the conversation around the plan.

“The last thing we want to do is solve one problem by creating another,” he said. “But here is what I also believe; we cannot allow the urgency of now and the urgency of this moment to divide us. We cannot afford to choose between state leadership and local partnership. We need both.”

Still, Welch said the state needs a plan to build more housing, something he agreed would lead to more economic development by making the state more desirable to businesses and transfers.

“We can strengthen schools, strengthen infrastructure and public safety,” he said. “We can give families something more valuable than policy. We can give them possibility. But none of that happens if we stay stuck. None of that happens if we let fear outweigh action.”