Elmhurst Mayor Warns Of 'Radical' Housing Bill Before Legislature

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst's mayor on Monday warned of a "radical" and "dangerous" bill before state lawmakers that would remove much local control over zoning.

Referring to the BUILD Act, Mayor Scott Levin said it would allow up to eight-unit buildings on many single-family lots.

He also said it would repeal minimum parking requirements for developers of multifamily housing complexes.

Additionally, Levin said it would let developers hire third-party plan reviewers to make decisions if towns don't meet certain state-mandated deadlines.

"This is a complete usurpation of local control. It's something that is very important to us," the mayor said.

Levin joins leaders of many towns who have come out in opposition. Earlier this month, La Grange's village president expressed similar issues with the legislation.

Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker is leading the charge for the BUILD Act. The idea is to increase the supply of housing, making it more affordable.

Levin called aldermen and residents to action, asking that they call local lawmakers.

Most of Elmhurst is represented by state Rep. Marti Deuter, a former Elmhurst alderman, and Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton of Western Springs, both Democrats. (Patch left messages with both Tuesday morning.)

Without naming them, Levin said local legislators may feel political pressure from Pritzker to vote for the BUILD Act.

That's why residents need to start calling their representatives, Levin said, so the lawmakers can tell Pritzker, "Sorry, I just can't back this."

Levin, who lives on Arlington Avenue, also questioned whether the bill would achieve the aim of affordability, using his house as an example.

"If I were to sell my lot and someone put up eight units, I don't think those units would be particularly affordable," the mayor said. "It's a great block, and people would want to live there. Those condos may be $800,000. That doesn't really achieve the goal of affordability because this is Elmhurst."

He suggested the state consider a system of incentives for affordable housing.

The average Elmhurst home sale price these days is $761,000, up from $410,000 five years ago, according to the city.

In his State of the City address in January, Levin recognized affordable housing was an issue in Elmhurst.

He said the city wasn't looking for what is often considered low-income or Section 8 housing. Rather, he said he would like to see workforce housing.

"Can our police officers, our teachers, our firefighters afford to live here in town?" Levin said in his speech. "I'm very interested to see it."