Abundant Housing Illinois

Abundant Housing Illinois is preparing to deliver over 3,300 signatures in support of Ald. Lawson's ADU ordinance ahead of the City Council vote on Thursday, September 25, 2025 (come join us there in the morning).

Part of that delivery means creating a summary of the responses, highlighting why Chicagoans want ADUs legalized citywide. I've selected five comments that demonstrate their reasonings for supporting our petition.

People talk about how ADUs allow for extended families to live close by, have lower rents, restore density and bring back people who will shop at local businesses, and helps combat exclusionary zoning rules that end up keeping people out of transit-accessible neighborhoods.

Lena wrote:

"My neighbors live in a coach house that predates current zoning rules, here in Jefferson Park. When they found themselves on a small fixed income with disabilities, they were so thankful to find this place. They were able to stay in the neighborhood they grew up in, where they spent their lives, because they found someplace affordable that was just the right size.

I hear all the time about neighbors looking for someplace for a young adult kid or an aunt who lives alone, and there’s so few options around here that aren’t full single family homes. Not everybody needs or wants all that, so they have to search farther away.

ADUs open up opportunities for homeowners to use their space better and provide housing more affordably than a large-scale development. If I’ve got extra space in my backyard where I want to invite my mother in law to live, I should have the option to do so. ADUs give people options.

My neighbors in the coach house are awesome, always looking out for us. I want other Chicagoans, young and old, to be able to stay in their communities too. We need more affordable and flexible housing opportunities across Chicago."

Aaron wrote:

"Alder Waguespack, please please please help us address the scarcity of housing in the 32nd ward by supporting this legislation. If I'm a single issue voter on any subject, it's this one. The upside of this ordinance is substantial whereas the downside is minimal. Increasing the housing supply will help address so many issues in our community and Chicago at-large."

Christopher wrote:

"Legalizing ADUs in wealthy, transit-rich Chicago neighborhoods is a racial justice issue. Single-family zoning is an exclusionary practice that increases the cost of housing, increases the cost of scarce land, and denies additional affordable homes in walkable, vibrant neighborhoods.

ADUs are a climate-friendly housing option. Allowing more new, high-efficiency homes in walkable Chicago neighborhoods reduces the demand for sprawling, greenfield development in the suburbs.