Build More Homes
Illinois should be a place where people want to move, build their futures, raise families, and grow businesses. However, we cannot expect our population to grow if we continue making it difficult and expensive to build homes.
I believe one of the most important steps toward stronger communities is allowing more housing to be built.
Remove Barriers to Housing
Housing shortages and rising costs do not happen in isolation. Government regulations, restrictive zoning, lengthy permitting processes, and unnecessary construction requirements can make building new homes more difficult and expensive.
Local governments should make it easier to build different types of housing, including single-family homes, duplexes, three-flats, four-flats, and larger residential developments where appropriate.
Property owners should have greater flexibility to develop their land without navigating unnecessary government obstacles.
Building more housing creates opportunities for existing residents to remain in their communities while making room for new neighbors.
Grow Illinois’ Population
Population growth is important to the long-term health of our communities.
When people leave Illinois, communities can lose workers, customers, taxpayers, and investment. Over time, population decline can place additional financial pressure on the residents and businesses who remain.
We should be asking why people leave and what would encourage them to stay or move here.
Affordable housing, economic opportunity, reliable public services, and a reasonable cost of living all play a role.
Rather than spending taxpayer money on temporary incentives to attract residents, government should address the barriers that make Illinois less attractive in the first place.
Build Neighborhoods That Support Growth
Housing alone does not create strong communities.
New and existing residents need access to businesses, employment, transportation, and public spaces.
Neighborhood commercial corridors should be accessible to nearby residents and welcoming to customers from surrounding communities.
Streets should allow people to travel safely, whether they are walking, driving, cycling, or using public transportation.
Local governments should also make it easier for small businesses to open near the communities they serve.
When housing, businesses, and transportation work together, neighborhoods become more attractive places to live and invest.
Let Communities Grow
Not every community needs the same type of development.
Chicago, suburban municipalities, smaller cities, and rural communities face different challenges. However, they all benefit when government removes unnecessary barriers to housing and investment.
Local governments should not use restrictive regulations to prevent reasonable development simply because a community does not want to change.
Property rights should be respected, and residents should have opportunities to participate in decisions affecting their neighborhoods. However, existing residents should not have unlimited power to prevent others from finding a place to live.
Illinois has the opportunity to grow again, but that requires making room for people.
My belief is simple: If we want Illinois to grow, we need to build more homes, welcome new residents, and stop allowing unnecessary government restrictions to hold our communities back.