Illinois’ comeback story starts here.

Chicago’s hidden housing solution: How additional dwelling unit expansion can make city more affordable

Chicago’s hidden housing solution: How additional dwelling unit expansion can make city more affordable

Chicago’s 2020 Additional Dwelling Unit Ordinance, while well-intentioned, has stifled development. Despite 71% of Chicagoans being in favor of putting additional dwelling units on existing residential lots – higher than the national average – restrictive and inequitable regulations have ensured very few are built.1 Only 44% of pre-approved applications have received building permits since the...

By LyLena Estabine

Joseph Miscimarra

Joseph Miscimarra

Joseph Miscimarra is a proponent of additional dwelling units, such as coach houses and granny flats. He supports a Chicago City Council ordinance that would expand and improve a pilot program to again allow the units, but the proposal is currently stalled in committee. “In the spring of 2023, some friends from college told me...

5 principles to guide Illinois’ public pension reform

5 principles to guide Illinois’ public pension reform

With nearly $214 billion in state and local pension debt threatening both retirees and government finances, Illinois needs a new path forward. Here are five principles to guide the state, protect taxpayers and safeguard public servants.

By LyLena Estabine

Elizabeth Nachtwey

Elizabeth Nachtwey

“This is a trade. It’s something that should be accessible for these communities. As it is, that kind of commitment together with the cost of training makes it very difficult to do.”