Extend the Eviction Moratorium

08/23/2020

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jawanza Malone
Phone: 312-805-4326
Email: jawanza.bmalone@kocoonline.org

MEDIA ALERT

Statement from the Lift the Ban Coalition on Gov. Pritzker’s Extension of the Eviction Moratorium

While we certainly appreciate the extension of the moratorium because given the severity of this moment, it is much needed. However, Illinois families need a greater sense of security than what a piece-meal approach gives them, like a short-term extension. In fact, since the “stay-at-home” order was declared, illegal lock-outs have doubled in Chicago. This is when a landlord subverts the eviction process, changes the locks to a residence, and prevents the lawful tenants from gaining entry.

That’s why we’re asking Gov. Pritzker to keep the moratorium in place until 3 months after Illinois enters Phase 5. We’re also asking the governor to retroactively cancel rent and mortgage payments for the duration of the “stay-at-home” order and the following 3 months. Otherwise, while necessary, 30-day extensions simply postpone near-certain displacement unless additional measures are enacted to address the accumulating debt.

We also need the governor to repeal the Rent Control Preemption Act, which bars municipalities from making any form of modification on rent collection on behalf of their residents.

We know when the government wants to get things done, elected officials find the means to execute. That’s exactly what’s needed here and now. Otherwise, hundreds of thousands of Illinois families are left vulnerable to be kicked out onto the street in the midst of a global pandemic.

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“It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn’t”
– author unknown