Housing (Homeownership)

Amends the Illinois Housing Development Act. Provides that the Illinois Housing Development Authority shall ensure that program staff have expertise in the community land trust model and shall implement procedures that remove barriers to the timely and effective execution of approved community land trust projects. Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that property that is owned by a non-profit community land trust, as defined in the Community Land Trust Home Ownership Act, and that is used exclusively for the creation and maintenance of permanently affordable owner occupied single-family or multifamily residences is exempt beginning with the taxable year in which the property is acquired by the community land trust and continuing through the taxable year in which the property is sold to a homeowner. Effective immediately.

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Veterans Housing Protection Act. Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that it is a civil rights violation to refuse to sell or rent or to otherwise make unavailable or deny a dwelling to any buyer or renter who is a veteran because of the results of a criminal, credit, or eviction history records check. Provides that the prohibition against the use of the results of a veteran's criminal history records check shall not preclude an owner or any other person engaging in a real estate transaction, or a real estate broker or salesman, from prohibiting the veteran, a member of the veteran's household, or a guest of the veteran from engaging in unlawful activity on the premises. Expands the Act's definition of "source of income" to include any federal, State, or local public assistance, and federal, State, or local housing subsidies, such as federal Department of Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers, rental assistance under the Supportive Services for Veterans Families program, and veterans' benefits. Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to administer a statewide Landlord Rental Guarantee Program which reimburses landlords up to $3,500 for damages or unpaid rent associated with veteran tenants using any federal, State, or local housing assistance or veterans' benefits to pay all or a portion of the rent. Provides that reimbursement payments shall be paid out of the Veterans Rental Guarantee Fund, a special fund created in the State treasury. Requires the Department to also establish and administer a pilot program to increase affordable homeownership opportunities among the veteran population. Provides that under the pilot program veterans shall be able to use federal or State housing vouchers to partially subsidize homeownership expenses for up to 10 or 15 years depending on the mortgage term.

Creates the Owner-Occupied Housing Incentive Act. Requires the Illinois Housing Development Authority to administer an owner-occupant housing incentive program that provides financial incentives to qualifying purchasers for the purchase of moderately priced owner-occupied homes. Requires the Authority to develop necessary forms, establish verification procedures, and adopt rules to implement the program that are consistent with the provisions of the Act. Requires the Authority to provide a $7,500 owner-occupant housing incentive to any qualifying purchaser of an eligible property. Provides that the owner-occupant housing incentive may be provided as a grant, closing cost credit, down payment assistance, or any other similar mechanism approved by the Authority, subject to available appropriations. Contains provisions concerning eligibility requirements; hardship exemptions; program restrictions; verification and compliance; and penalties and repayment. Provides that the Act shall be construed narrowly to promote owner-occupied home purchases and that nothing in the Act shall be interpreted to regulate or restrict lawful rental housing, landlord activity, or property ownership outside the scope of the incentive created under the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax Act. Imposes a tax upon hosting platforms that facilitate the renting, leasing, or letting of short-term rentals. Provides that the tax is imposed at the rate of 4% of 94% of the gross rental receipts received by the platform from the renting, leasing, or letting of short-term rentals in this State. Provides that the proceeds from the tax shall be deposited into the Community Land Trust Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Community Land Trust Fund. Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that property that is owned by a non-profit community land trust and that is used exclusively for the creation and maintenance of permanently affordable single-family or multifamily residences is exempt beginning with the taxable year in which the property is acquired by the community land trust and continuing through the taxable year in which the property is sold to a homeowner. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates the Welcome Home Illinois tax credit. Provides that each taxpayer who is a first-time homebuyer of a principal residence in the State during the taxable year is entitled to an income tax credit in an amount equal to $500. Effective immediately.

Appropriates $50,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Housing Development Authority for the purpose of depositing into the First-Generation Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Fund to provide down payments and closing costs assistance to eligible first-generation homebuyers, and other administrative expenses under the First-Generation Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Illinois Housing Development Act. Requires the Illinois Housing Development Authority (Authority) to establish and administer a First-Generation Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program to provide targeted assistance to eligible first-generation homebuyers throughout the State for the purchase of a single-family or non-commercial multi-family residence. Sets forth eligibility requirements. Permits the Authority to prioritize assistance to applicants purchasing homes in designated community priority areas, applicants with household income below 80%, and applicants purchasing homes in areas with low homeownership rates, high housing costs burdens, or limited access to affordable mortgage credit. Provides that assistance under the program shall be provided as a forgivable loan to be forgiven pro rata on a monthly basis over a 5-year period of continuous owner-occupancy. Sets forth the available loan amounts and provides that assistance funds may be used for down payments, closing costs, mortgage insurance, interest rate buydowns, or principal reduction. Permits the Authority to waive repayment in cases of documented financial hardship that is beyond the control of the homebuyer. Permits the Authority to adopt rules to implement and administer the program. Effective July 1, 2026.

Appropriates $5,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago for costs associated with funding equitable mortgage lending and homebuyer subsidies, foreclosure prevention services, and other support. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Housing Authorities Act. Provides that, unless otherwise required by federal law or regulation, a housing authority shall not establish or implement any rules, policies, or procedures that impose time limits or work requirements as a condition of initial or continued eligibility for any rent subsidy or assistance provided to qualifying tenants of the housing authority or to qualifying individuals through any rent subsidy or other housing assistance program administered by the housing authority. Permits a housing authority to establish, implement, or encourage an applicant or recipient of a rent subsidy or assistance to participate in a voluntary employment or job training program if the program: (1) does not impact the applicant's or recipient's initial or continued eligibility for the rent subsidy or assistance; and (2) has one of the specified goals for program participants, including, but not limited to, (i) increasing personal income, (ii) homeownership, or (iii) expanding employment options. Effective immediately.

Appropriates $5,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a grant to Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago for costs associated with funding equitable mortgage lending and homebuyer subsidies, foreclosure prevention services, and other support. Effective July 1, 2026.