New Report: Code Enforcement as a Tool for Safe, Equitable & Affordable Housing

In December 2024, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Housing Action Illinois released a report on code enforcement and the ecology of rental housing regulation in Illinois, culminating three years of research.  In this report, we examine housing code enforcement practices in Illinois from multiple perspectives, including that of code enforcement administrations and local governments, property owners and landlords, and community institutions. We rely on statewide data as well as local case studies, having conducted an in-depth analysis of code enforcement practices in five mid-sized cities in Illinois, as well as Chicago. 

This report highlights the urgent need to shift from punitive measures to proactive strategies to support housing stability, health, and safety for all. Download the full report to explore our findings and recommendations here.

*This description draws from the Housing Action Illinois press release for the report.