advertisement

Crime-free housing law not what it seems

“Crime-free housing.” Is that what we are getting? Illinois legislators would like you to think so. They have sent SB1766 to the governor, claiming this “feel good” legislation will reduce crime in rental property.

It does not. SB1766 is based on municipal crime-free housing ordinances, which have been used to shift the burden of crime control from police to property owners who don’t have the necessary training, resources or tools. These laws unjustifiably impose penalties on property owners if they don’t evict tenants when local government orders them to. The property owner is put in the position of investigator and prosecutor to prove in court that the crime has been committed.

Some crime-free housing laws penalize owners just for tenants making calls for help to police. Others require that an owner evict everyone from their homes when a family member or guest is accused but not yet convicted of a crime or lose the right to rent their property.

Crime-free housing laws are becoming more common in cities across Illinois and are abusive to both the owner and tenant. SB1766 moves state law in the wrong direction. It copies the municipal crime free housing model by requiring all residential leases in Illinois to include the existing law which has been ineffective controlling crime. The same language is used in public housing leases where it has also failed to control crime.

This bill provides nothing new to address the problem of crime in rented property. Our legislators should be using tax dollars to come up with ideas on how to partner with property owners to deal with criminal tenants and make rental property crime free. Imposing penalties for behavior which is beyond the control of a property owner is not effective. It’s also not fair.

Jane Garvey

Chicago Creative Investors Association

Glen Ellyn