* Press release…

As the state’s gradual phaseout of the pandemic eviction moratorium continues, Governor JB today encouraged renters and landlords to apply for $500 million in existing aid and announced that an additional round of assistance will open this fall.

For Illinois renters still struggling to pay their rent, the Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP) is currently open and accepting applications for the current round of assistance until 11:59 p.m. this Sunday, July 18. Applications can be completed at: ILRPP.IHDA.org.

“Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Illinois implemented one of the largest emergency housing assistance programs in the nation – and as a result, tens of thousands of Illinois families have been able to access housing assistance so far,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “These resources have made a life-changing difference for these families, as the eviction moratorium comes to a close, we want to make sure that every eligible Illinoisan applies for this help. This year, Illinois quadrupled the relief that was available last year and were there for our residents when it mattered most. I’m pleased that we’ll be offering additional rounds of this critical funding to keep people in their homes.”

Governor Pritzker announced earlier this summer that the eviction moratorium would be lifted in August, with a gradual phaseout throughout the summer.

On July 23, the Governor will issue an Executive Order that allows eviction filings against covered persons to begin on August 1. The current prohibition on enforcement of eviction orders entered against covered persons will remain in place until August 31. Enforcement of eviction orders entered against covered persons will be allowed after August 31.

The Governor’s Office has been in close communication with members of the Illinois Supreme Court’s COVID-19 Task Force to ensure an orderly phase out of the eviction moratorium. Through a coordinated approach, we hope to relieve the potential pressure on the court system while also ensuring that tenants and landlords have every opportunity to benefit from the State’s rental assistance programs.

…Adding… Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance…

Today Governor J.B. Pritzker announced plans to bring stability to the State’s housing industry, which has been providing a crucial public service to fight the pandemic, often without public support.

The Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance (NBOA), which advocates for policies to support neighborhood housing providers, recommends that tenants who believe they are facing a possible eviction to communicate with their housing provider as soon as possible.

“Housing providers all over the State of Illinois are doing an amazing job throughout this pandemic of keeping people housed, often at great sacrifice to themselves and their families” said Michael Glasser, President of the NBOA. “Renters who are behind in their rent should work with their housing providers, and apply for help through the State’s emergency rental assistance program.”

NBOA research has shown that neighborhood housing providers have lost over $1 billion in unpaid rent since the beginning of the pandemic. It also shows that many neighborhood housing providers have tenants who refuse to communicate with them regarding their situation.

NBOA research has revealed that because of the pandemic many smaller housing providers now lack the funds for basic building necessities. Glasser said, “We haven’t asked grocery stores to give away free food, or pharmacies to give away free medication, and we can’t keep asking housing providers to give away free housing without destabilizing the housing system, which was already fragile before the pandemic.”

Moreover, according to the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), approximately 30 percent of the funds requested by housing providers for rental assistance were automatically voided simply because the renter refused to participate in the program. Applying for rental assistance typically only takes a few minutes. Multiple community organizations have been retained by the State to assist renters with the process, and almost all housing providers are more than happy to assist tenants with the application process. Renters who want to participate in the next round of rental assistance can visit https://chicookilrenthelp.org for more information.

The filing of an eviction does not necessary mean that a housing provider wants to remove the tenant. Housing providers do not enjoy evictions, but frequently use them as a tool to jump start negotiations. The improving economy and jobs situation, as well as with the State’s rental assistance programs, should go far in mitigating the so-called “wave of evictions.”