R2026-96 Resolution of the City of Decatur in Support of Municipal Housing Authority

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LEGAL DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM NO. 2026-3 May 4,2026 TO: Honorable Mayor Moore Wolfe and Council FROM: Melissa Hon, City Manager SUBJECT: Resolution in Support of Municipal Housing Authority SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council approve the attached Resolution in Support of Municipal Housing Authority to provide input to the Illinois General Assembly and Governor regarding the importance of local municipal authority in the area of land use and zoning. BACKGROUND: Recent proposals from the State are currently being discussed that would alter the ability of municipalities to govern and regulate our individual land use and zoning situations. These proposals, known collectively as BUILD, aim to assist current housing shortage and affordability issues in the state by overhauling the residential zoning laws in Illinois and include statewide zoning standards such as minimum lot sizes,allowance of dwellings in accessory buildings, elimination of parking requirements based on numbers of occupants and increased residential density uses in low density residentially zoned areas that they would not currently be allowable in certain areas. The increased residential density uses would allow the construction of multi-dwelling units on lots currently restricted to single family homes. Proponents of the BUILD proposals limiting local control suggest that the current housing affordability is because of a lack of supply that is caused by local governments regulations and rules and the difference in those regulations and rules between the municipalities throughout the State. They argue that the result of the BUILD proposals will increase construction of varied affordable housing which will in turn increase tax revenues. Municipalities and others opposed suggest that municipalities are unique and different and should be able to make zoning and land use decisions that fit their individual communities, that the BUILD proposals infringe on and preempt home rule communities' authority, and that the issue of affordable and available housing in Illinois is not caused by municipalities zoning and land use decisions, regulations or rules. The Illinois Municipal League argues that "Illinois communities vary widely in geography, population density, infrastructure capacity and housing demand" , that "uniform statewide standards cannot adequately reflect those differences or the planning efforts underway or completed in many municipalities", and that "zoning and land use decisions are best made locally by the leaders elected in each community." Staff believes that our zoning and land use issues are best left to the decisions of our elected officials who are familiar with our community and that those decisions should not be preempted by the State. STAFF REFERENCE: Melissa Hon, City Manager.