A Growing Problem in Cook County
Cook County is facing a severe housing shortage, and its impact varies significantly across different communities. In District 1, where I live, Garfield Park and Bellwood face various challenges, but both are feeling the strain of rising property taxes and aging housing stock that long-time residents can no longer afford to maintain.
There’s also a strong demand for affordable starter homes and senior housing, yet funding for new construction and rehabilitation remains limited. According to Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED), Cook County has 11,142 fewer home listings than it did nine years ago, indicating a significant decline in availability.
We have fewer affordable homes today than we did a decade ago, and the gap is widening. Without new investment in home rehabilitation, infill development, and responsible zoning reform, more families will be priced out of the communities they’ve called home for generations.
My Approach
I believe the County’s job is to make housing easier to build and not more expensive.
That means focusing on efficiency, private-sector partnership, and fair rules that apply everywhere.
I support:
By-Right Zoning Reform: Automatically approve housing projects that meet existing safety and zoning standards to cut red tape and political interference.
Rehabilitation Tax Incentives for Owner-Occupied Homes: Encourage residents to reinvest in and preserve older homes rather than letting them deteriorate.
County Land Streamlining Act: Release idle County-owned parcels for private or nonprofit housing through open bidding or long-term leases.
These are low-cost, market-driven steps that expand supply, preserve existing homes, and reduce rent pressure, all without raising taxes or growing government.
Fairness and Transparency
The Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act (AHPAA) requires every Illinois community to plan for affordable housing, but compliance has been inconsistent. The County’s role should be to enforce fairness and transparency, not add bureaucracy.
I support tying County resources and partnerships to compliance, prioritizing infrastructure or grant funding for municipalities that meet their housing obligations. I also back a public scorecard so residents can see which communities are doing their fair share.
Every community benefits when teachers, first responders, and working families can afford to live near where they work.
More Innovative Use of County-Controlled Land
Cook County owns significant land both in unincorporated areas and within municipalities that could be put to productive use.
In unincorporated areas near transit, the County should model smart, low-cost, mixed-income housing through by-right zoning and streamlined permitting.
On vacant parcels within municipalities, the County should partner with private developers and nonprofits to turn idle property into homes and tax revenue.
This approach uses existing assets efficiently, encourages private investment, and helps address the housing shortage without new taxes or subsidies.
Property Taxes and Pensions
High property taxes drive up the cost of living for both homeowners and renters. The County must cut costs instead of raising revenue.
Much of the long-term pressure comes from growing payroll and pension obligations. I support reducing workforce bloat and contracting out functions that private vendors can perform more efficiently. This approach lowers current spending and limits future pension liabilities.
By focusing on performance-based contracts, efficiency audits, and transparent budgeting, Cook County can become leaner, more accountable, and less reliant on property tax increases, providing families with real, lasting relief.
In Summary
Affordable housing isn’t created through bigger government; it’s achieved through smarter government. By cutting red tape, utilizing county assets wisely, and keeping spending under control, Cook County can expand housing opportunities, strengthen communities, and protect taxpayers simultaneously.