For a moment, let us sidestep the staggering statistics, the debates, and the studies like this one from the nonpartisan Urban Institute, which found that Illinois’ ban on rent control “constrained local housing policy responses to COVID-19.” First, let us be clear about the scenes we will bear witness to. They won’t include a UHAUL truck or friendly movers.

A baby’s crib thrown onto the front lawn. Precious family heirlooms picked over by passerby. A toddler crying into the arms of her humiliated parents, who have been evicted for the crime of losing their jobs during a global economic collapse. Most likely, the tenants will not move into a new apartment, but face homelessness and potentially suicide. Their community will destabilize a little further, and phenomena like unrest and looting will increase.