Pritzker Promotes ‘BUILD’ Plan to Tackle Housing Shortage at McLean County Roundtable (Bloomington-Normal, IL) – Gov. JB Pritzker convened local leaders, developers and community stakeholders in McLean County to promote a sweeping housing proposal aimed at lowering costs and boosting supply across Illinois.
The roundtable focused on the governor’s Building Up Illinois Developments (BUILD) initiative, a multi-pronged plan designed to address the state’s housing shortage by cutting regulatory barriers, investing in infrastructure and expanding financial assistance for homebuyers.
“For too long, a patchwork of local restrictions have made it too difficult and expensive to build and buy housing,” Pritzker said. “Through BUILD, we’re fighting for the most significant housing affordability package in decades.”
Illinois currently faces a shortage of roughly 142,000 housing units and is projected to need more than 225,000 new homes over the next five years to meet demand. Limited inventory has driven up both home prices and rents, placing increased pressure on working families.
The BUILD proposal seeks to address those challenges through a combination of legislative reforms and targeted investments. Among its key components are efforts to streamline permitting processes, allow more flexible housing types, and reduce local regulatory hurdles that can delay or prevent development.
The plan also includes new financial tools, such as expanded down payment assistance programs for first-time homebuyers, along with additional support for affordable and middle-income housing construction.
State agencies would play a central role in administering the initiative. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity would oversee a proposed $100 million investment to fund infrastructure improvements — including water, sewer and site access — aimed at unlocking stalled housing developments. Officials estimate the funding could activate about 100 sites and lead to the construction of 2,000 to 4,000 new homes.
Meanwhile, the Illinois Housing Development Authority would manage an additional $150 million to support new rental units, starter homes and homeownership programs.
“Illinois is making a significant commitment to housing affordability at a time when families are coping with rising costs and limited inventory,” said IHDA Executive Director Kristin Faust. “This gives us the tools we need to expand housing opportunities and support first-time buyers.”
Local leaders at the event emphasized the urgency of addressing housing shortages in fast-growing regions like Bloomington-Normal, where job growth has outpaced housing availability.
“In communities like ours, housing availability directly impacts workforce growth and economic stability,” said Nora Harrison of the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council. “This plan creates real opportunities to move projects forward.”
Health care leaders also highlighted the ripple effects of the housing crunch. Eunmee Shim, president of OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington, said a shortage of affordable housing is making it difficult for essential workers to live in the communities they serve.
“When nurses, technicians and support staff can’t afford to live where they work, it affects the entire system,” Shim said. “Workforce housing must be treated as essential infrastructure.”
The BUILD package is backed by a series of legislative proposals in Springfield aimed at encouraging denser and more flexible housing development, including measures to allow accessory dwelling units, reform parking requirements and accelerate permitting approvals.
Real estate and business groups have voiced support for the initiative, calling it a necessary response to a growing statewide crisis.
“Roundtables like this are critical to hearing directly from those experiencing the supply shortage firsthand,” said Illinois REALTORS CEO Jeff Baker.
The proposal now heads to the General Assembly, where lawmakers will debate its scope and funding. If approved, supporters say it could mark one of the most significant housing policy overhauls in Illinois in decades.
Pritzker Promotes ‘BUILD’ Plan to Tackle Housing Shortage at McLean County Roundtable
