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These are incredibly challenging times for middle-class and working families across our state. The COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating aftermath are only adding to the pain.
In the city of Chicago and Illinois’ more populous areas, the housing crisis is all too real and frightening. We have been battling a dwindling stock of affordable housing for years. What rented for $700 a month a few years ago now costs $1,500 a month. Property taxes have quadrupled. People have jobs and the incomes to live somewhere reasonably priced, but there is nowhere to turn.
Opinion
In the more rural areas of Illinois, the problems are almost reversed, yet equally frustrating. Populations have declined and jobs are scarce. Families with some security stay in their homes for many years, and developers simply do not have the means or the resources to build affordable homes and apartments. Those who must find a place to live often end up traveling long ways from home to make ends meet.
SPRINGFIELD
 â One day before consolidated elections, the Illinois State Board of Elections executive director was placed on administrative leave after being the subject of an online extortion attempt, ISBE said in a news release.
The eight-member elections board voted unanimously on Monday, April 5, to place Director Steve Sandvoss on leave, according to the release.
The board also approved the appointment of Assistant Executive Director Bernadette Matthews to serve as interim director while Sandvoss is on leave.
âThe board also authorized the agencyâs Chief Information Security Officer, Jeremy Owens, to cooperate fully with the law enforcement investigation, as well as conduct an internal assessment of all SBE devices to which Director Sandvoss had access and ensure the security of the Boardâs systems,â the release states.
Tim Kirsininkas
Capitol News Illinois
SPRINGFIELD – As economic uncertainty continues to linger one year into the COVID-19 pandemic, housing advocates across the state are planning next steps to protect tenants and landlords and create additional affordable housing opportunities.
Over the past several weeks, the General Assembly has considered various bills on the subject, including emergency rental assistance, lifting the state ban on rent control, and subsidizing future affordable housing construction in the state.
Advocates for affordable housing in Illinois, including Rep. Delia Ramirez, a Democrat representing the 4th House District in Chicago, say the pandemic has shed new light on an ongoing affordable housing crisis and sparked a new sense of urgency to support tenants and landlords struggling to afford rent and upkeep their properties.
By Tim Kirsininkas & Capitol News Illinois
• 4 hours ago
As economic uncertainty continues to linger one year into the COVID-19 pandemic, housing advocates across the state are planning next steps to protect tenants and landlords and create additional affordable housing opportunities.
Over the past several weeks, the General Assembly has considered various bills on the subject, including emergency rental assistance, lifting the state ban on rent control, and subsidizing future affordable housing construction in the state.
Advocates for affordable housing in Illinois, including Rep. Delia Ramirez, a Democrat representing the 4th House District in Chicago, say the pandemic has shed new light on an ongoing affordable housing crisis and sparked a new sense of urgency to support tenants and landlords struggling to afford rent and upkeep their properties.