Renters Receive Additional Protection During Ongoing Economic Hardship Due to the Pandemic

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch congratulates Assistant Majority Leader Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago) in passing legislation that will ensure the state’s most vulnerable residents have a roof over their head as so many have experienced economic hardship due to the pandemic.  

"It is critical that vulnerable households have the resources and support they need to stay in their homes as we recover from this pandemic, and I am working hard in Springfield to ensure this aid is available to those most in need,” said Ramirez. “I encourage those who have experienced financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 to speak with their landlord and apply today.” 

Governor JB Pritzker recently signed HB 2877 into law which will establish a new structure to efficiently distribute rental assistance to Illinoisans and seal of eviction records until August 1, 2022. 

The legislation creates the COVID-19 Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program Act, which gives additional protections to renters and homeowners and will create a program that will administer assistance to struggling households.  

“This is such an important piece of legislation, providing help for the families suffering the most and who are worrying about losing their homes,” said Welch. “I am so proud of the work Leader Ramirez put into this bill and how she made it her top priority from the start of this session. Thanks to this legislation, vulnerable families have the resources and support they need to keep a roof over their heads.” 

Now that this bill has been signed into law, it halts foreclosure proceedings, protect tenants from the long-term effects of eviction records and enacts provisions of the federal financial rental assistance program. It is effective immediately.