YIMBY Action Applauds Governor Pritzker's Signing of The Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act, Repealing Outdated Parking Mandates

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — YIMBY Action and its Illinois chapters, Abundant Housing Illinois, CUrbanism Club, and Rockford Area YIMBY, applaud the passage and signing of the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act, improving transit, eliminating parking mandates, and unlocking more walkable neighborhoods statewide! YIMBYs are making a difference in tackling the affordability crisis in this country.

This bill invests $1.5 billion into public transit and provides Chicagoland with a central agency to plan, fund, and deliver a world-class transit system. Frequent, accessible, and reliable public transit is essential for creating communities where homes are affordable, walkable, and abundant. The NITA Act also contains a key YIMBY priority: repealing outdated parking mandates. The bill repeals costly local parking mandates near transit hubs and along transit corridors – making space for more homes!

"This law proves that changing the status quo is not only possible, but that it's happening because advocates and public servants are working together to create a more affordable and accessible future. By ending expensive, outdated parking mandates near transit, Illinois is prioritizing freedom and empowering residents to decide how they get around and where they live,” said Joh Gehlbach, Senior Campaigns Manager at YIMBY Action.  "The Northern Illinois Transit Act unlocks space for much-needed homes, local businesses, and vibrant communities instead of asphalt wastelands. This is how we turn smart policy into real choices for how people travel and what kinds of communities they live in  — and it’s only the beginning."

This victory came after a year-long effort by Illinois YIMBYs, who collaborated with Representative Kam Buckner and Senator Mike Simmons to introduce the People Over Parking Act at the start of the 2025 General Assembly Session. Ultimately, the bill’s language was included in the final version of the NITA Act to support transit-friendly, walkable communities across Illinois.

Our members in Illinois are excited to celebrate progress, and to build on the momentum of this victory in the new year. We will continue to work with our fellow advocates, representatives, and coalition partners to build a future of abundant, affordable, inclusive housing for all in Illinois.