Help Us Defend Housing Access in Rockford
We want to share an update on our ongoing lawsuit challenging the City of Rockford’s zoning ordinance that threatens to displace people on supervised release and cut off access to affordable housing.
What this case is about
In late 2023, the City of Rockford adopted a zoning rule that effectively bans more than one person on mandatory supervised release from living at the same address in most residential neighborhoods in the City.
This law singles out people on supervision and makes shared housing illegal. This threatens to put an end to housing programs that have enabled many people to get out of prison and start rebuilding their lives, and it even makes it illegal for a landlord to decide to rent to people on parole.
Why this case matters beyond Rockford
If this ordinance is upheld, the ripple effects will be felt across the state, exacerbating the crisis caused by Illinois’ housing restrictions, which are already some of the most extreme in the nation.
Other towns and cities will have a clear roadmap to pass similar laws, pushing people out of housing and into a cycle of homelessness and reincarceration.
This case will help determine whether municipalities can create a patchwork of local laws that make the situation for returning residents impossible.
Where the case stands now
The case is currently pending before the federal district court.
Expert discovery is ongoing. This work is essential to show — with real data and professional analysis — that Rockford’s ordinance is based on fear, animus and unfounded assumptions; not facts about what actually makes a community safe.
Expert discovery is resource-intensive, but it is critical. It allows us to build a factual record that can protect communities statewide.
Illinois Voices for Reform is supporting this litigation, helping ensure that people on supervision can establish stable homes and succeed in the community.
Please consider making a donation to help support the work needed to stop this ordinance — and to prevent similar laws from spreading across the state.
We are deeply grateful for your support and will continue to keep you updated as the case moves forward.