Renters urge Bloomington council to endorse bill letting communities vote on rent limits
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Summary
Three speakers during public comment urged Bloomington’s council to back Illinois House Bill 3687, which would lift the statewide ban on rent control and allow local referenda or ordinances on rent limits; speakers asked councilors and candidates to publicly support the measure.
Three Bloomington residents told the City Council during public comment that they want local officials to support Illinois House Bill 3687, which would lift a statewide ban and allow municipalities to decide whether to set local rent‑limit policies.
Georgine Chiselle of Ward 2 said rent in Illinois has risen about 55% since 2019 and described statewide eviction statistics; Chiselle asked whether council members would champion and advocate for a city resolution backing HB 3687. “Will you champion, vote for, and advocate for a city council resolution backing HB 3687?” she asked.
Sonny Garcia, introduced as the McLean County organizer for the Lift the Ban campaign and a Ward 6 resident, repeated the statistics cited by Chiselle and urged elected officials and mayoral and council candidates in the room to take a public position supporting the bill. Garcia also described a personal housing example — his adult daughter moving back home because she could not afford rent — and said rent pressures are increasing multigenerational living.
Rebecca Mangels, who said she holds a master’s degree and multiple jobs, told the council that people who are well‑employed are nevertheless struggling to afford rent and urged councilors to “stand in solidarity with renters” and support HB 3687.
No council motion or formal agenda action on HB 3687 was recorded during the meeting; the speakers’ request was submitted as public comment. Several of the speakers also asked area candidates and elected officials present that evening to state their positions publicly.
Clarifying details: the bill number cited by speakers was HB 36 87 (HB 3687); speakers asked the council to adopt a resolution in support but the transcript records no council vote or staff direction on that specific request.
