Cook County Passes "RTLO"

Chicagoland Apartment Association Disappointed by Cook County Board’s Passing of Incomplete Ordinance

RTLO fails in balanced approach to protect interests Of both landlords and tenants facing unprecedented circumstances

CHICAGO — The following statement can be attributed to Michael Mini, executive vice president of the Chicagoland Apartment Association:

“Poor housing conditions are of course unacceptable, but this ordinance adds excessive administrative burdens that have historically led to unscrupulous class-action lawsuits based on insignificant technicalities and inadvertent errors. These administrative burdens will increase costs, slow the leasing processes, and ultimately result in higher housing costs for some tenants.

We are amid an unprecedented pandemic in which our industry has been asked to absorb tremendous costs. The county board sacrificed an opportunity to continue working with stakeholders to develop sound policy that fully supports the housing market for both tenants and landlords as we all continue to navigate the stresses of a global pandemic.”

Since its introduction in July, CAA has actively opposed the Cook County Residential Tenant and Landlord Ordinance and participated in dozens of meetings to offer amendments to the ordinance on behalf of the industry. The association's internal "RTLO Task Force" has been meeting frequently to develop comprehensive feedback and CAA's overall "position."

Because the final draft of the legislation was not as balanced to landlords as CAA would have liked, CAA testified in opposition along with the Illinois Realtors. Unfortunately, the ordinance passed unanimously with many commissioners citing a "compromise."  CAA is still actively trying to amend the ordinance before it becomes effective on June 1, 2021.

For more information, review CAA's Policy Brief for Members on the Cook County Residential Tenant and Landlord Ordinance.