Illinois eyes looser zoning

Governor JB Pritzker is pushing Illinois to let more small apartment buildings rise on land now reserved for single-family homes. (nprillinois.org) The package would generally allow four units on residential lots larger than 2,500 square feet, six units on lots over 5,000 square feet, and eight units on lots bigger than 7,500 square feet. It would also legalize accessory dwelling units statewide and cut some minimum parking requirements. (nationaltoday.com) One bill already filed, House Bill 1814, says cities with 25,000 or more people must allow “middle housing types” on residential lots larger than 5,000 square feet. It also says towns with more than 10,000 and fewer than 25,000 residents must allow duplexes on residential lots that permit detached single-family homes. (ilga.gov) Pritzker first rolled out the zoning push in his State of the State address on February 18, 2026, after issuing a housing development executive order on December 11, 2024. That order said nearly one-third of Illinois households spend more than 30 percent of income on housing and called for a broader state strategy to add homes. (capitolnewsillinois.com) (illinois.gov) The housing type at the center of the plan is often called “missing middle” housing: duplexes, four-flats, courtyard buildings and backyard units that fit between a house and a high-rise. State advisers said in a September 2024 report that Illinois needs a package of supply-focused changes to produce more of those homes. (gov.illinois.gov) Accessory dwelling units are a key part of that approach. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning defines them as a second housing unit on a single-family lot, such as a basement apartment, garage apartment or backyard cottage. (cmap.illinois.gov) Chicago already moved in that direction in December 2020, when City Council approved an accessory dwelling unit ordinance that took effect on May 1, 2021 in five pilot areas. On April 1, 2026, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Housing announced a permanent expansion that widened eligibility to about 60 percent of the city, according to Chicago Cityscape. (chicago.gov) (help.chicagocityscape.com) The state is also tightening building rules at the same time it debates zoning. Illinois says statewide building codes took effect January 1, 2025, setting a floor for structural, energy, accessibility, plumbing and fire standards even as local zoning rules still shape what can be built. (cdb.illinois.gov) Local officials are pushing back on the zoning part. The Illinois Municipal League says “zoning and land use decisions are best made locally,” and Peoria Mayor Rita Ali said a statewide mandate cannot reflect the differences between places like Peoria, Eureka and Chicago. (iml.org) (centralillinoisproud.com) What happens next is legislative, not automatic. House Bill 1814 was re-referred to the House Rules Committee on April 11, 2025, and the broader 2026 package still needs votes in the House and Senate before any statewide zoning rewrite can take effect. (ilga.gov)