To ease arduous zoning requirements that are keeping developers in Illinois from building an abundance of affordable housing, State Senator Sara Feigenholtz is teaming up with Governor JB Pritzker to spearhead legislation as part of the Building Up Illinois Developments, or BUILD, initiative.
“The data is clear: the best way to overcome the nationwide shortage of affordable housing is to build more affordable homes,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “Lifting zoning hurdles that stand in the way of housing developers is an innovative and cost-effective solution that can help build more housing for families in every corner of our state.”
In Illinois, a lack of housing options leaves fewer and fewer available homes for those searching. A 2025 report by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute and Project for Middle Class Renewal at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that Illinois is short more than 140,000 housing units and would need to build 225,000 new units over the next five years to keep up with demand.
Feigenholtz’s initiative – Senate Bill 4061 – seeks to address Illinois’ shortage of affordable multifamily housing. The measure would end Illinois’ dual staircase requirement, allowing for the construction of single-stairway buildings. The goal is to spur increased development of multifamily housing, particularly in neighborhoods where vacant land is scarce or expensive. Single-stairway designs tend to be easier for developers to build for several reasons, including their lower cost and smaller size.
The Feigenholtz-led measure aims to ensure statewide housing policy reflects the reality that there are not enough available homes to meet demand. In conjunction with additional housing affordability measures, the BUILD initiative aims to spark statewide housing development and support stronger, more resilient communities.
Senate Bill 4061 awaits further discussion.
