News & Media
Timely updates about our work and public policy recommendations.Blog
Welcome to LCBH’s Blog. Our blog delivers original articles written by our staff, interns and volunteers. We strive to provide informative stories about the work we do on behalf of Chicago renters and the issues renters face.
Mark’s Musings: May 2026
Greetings from May! It’s hard to believe we’re already in the second quarter of 2026. Over the past few months, we’ve been busy meeting with community and government partners, donors, and volunteers across the city, sharing strategies to improve housing outcomes for renters through service...
Debra Stark named 2026 Sharon L. King Distinguished Alumni Award Winner
We’re pleased to announce that UIC Professor of Law and advocate for domestic violence (DV) survivors, Debra Stark, will receive the 2026 Sharon L. King Distinguished Alumni Award at LCBH’s Fall Benefit on October 15th. The SLK Distinguished Alumni Award is given annually in honor of LCBH’s...
LCBH receives $100,000 Impact Grant to sustain homelessness prevention services for Chicago’s renters
LCBH was awarded $100,000 in unrestricted funding from Impact Grants Chicago, a women-powered collective giving organization, to continue serving Chicago’s low-to-moderate income renters in and outside of eviction court. “We are incredibly grateful to be a 2026 Impact Grant recipient. LCBH...
Why I Give: Sharon L. King
Sharon L. King is a long-time LCBH donor and former board president. Sharon was instrumental in establishing the Brach-Brodie Endowment which provides funding for LCBH to host legal fellows and recent law school graduates to gain experience in a legal aid setting. Sharon recently made the lead...
Mark’s Musings: January 2026
Greetings from 2026! Working at LCBH, the importance of safe and stable housing is always on my mind. But, during weeks like these, when the temperatures dip well below zero, it becomes impossible to ignore just how essential our work is for neighbors facing displacement due to eviction. In...
Mark’s Musings: November 2025
I was recently reminded of the saying, “In November, we count blessings more than worries,” and, this year, amid city and federal budget uncertainty, it feels especially true. That’s why, in the spirit of gratitude, I’d like to take a moment to express my gratitude for the staff, volunteers,...
Mark’s Musings: October 2025
It’s hard to find the right words to describe this October. Usually, when I sit down to write my Musings, I want to be a cheerleader for the agency, describing yet another great month at LCBH. And don’t get me wrong; this month has been nothing short of amazing: We hosted another successful...
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Renter Stories
LCBH’s services make a big impact on renters’ lives.
Donna’s Story
"Donna,” a Chicago Public Schools teacher, had lived in her Logan Square apartment for more than a decade when she learned that her landlord’s adult children were selling her building. “I was close with this family for a very long time, almost 15 years. I was told by them more than once, that...
Emily’s Story
Emily had been living in her home for nearly seven years when she lost her waitressing job and fell behind on rent. Having experienced homelessness before, Emily was determined to stay in her unit, and negotiated a payment plan with her landlord, promising to pay her rent for the next 12...
Carla’s Story
To Carla, a single mom, stability starts at home. Her 3-bedroom house is perfectly situated so her mom can help her youngest get to school on time and she can catch the train to work, all while feeling safe in their neighborhood, which, after COVID and other big life events, is essential to...
Ari’s Story
When Ari isn’t performing at the local theater, you can find him spending time with his brother, sister-in-law, and nephew down the street. The family has called Berwyn home for decades and doesn’t have any plans to leave, which made the eviction notice taped to Ari’s door even more...
See all of our Renters Stories.
Volunteer Stories
Pro bono attorneys, legal interns, and social work students power our mission.2026 Sealing Clinic Wrap Up: Volunteer Story
LCBH teamed up with DePaul College of Law to host a community-based Eviction Sealing Clinic in April! More than 50 student and attorney volunteers helped tenants draft 63 motions to seal old eviction records, which can create a harmful barrier to future housing. We are so grateful for...
Shiva Kooragayala – Volunteer Attorney
Shiva, the 2022 Barbara Grau Outstanding Housing Advocate Award winner, joins our board from Massey & Gail. Shiva has an extensive background in fair housing work and served as a volunteer with LCBH during the COVID-19 pandemic and eviction moratorium while working at Skadden, Arps, Slate,...
Peter Bermes – Volunteer Attorney
I was looking for pro bono opportunities that fit my needs and career. LCBH’s Rentervention program was a great fit for my work style. I have been participating since June 2020.LCBH and Rentervention fill the gap where tenants don’t understand their rights when faced with housing issues....
LCBH Alumni discuss their experiences and the KCRO
We recently caught up with two LCBH alumni, Rachel Blake and Charles Nicholls. Rachel is Associate Director for Regional Housing Legal Services in Glenside, Pennsylvania. Her work is a mix of policy advocacy, organizational strategy and strategic planning. Charles is an attorney at Nicholls Law...
Meet Laurel Chen – LCBH Alumni Spotlight
Laurel Chen was an intern in LCBH's supportive services department during the 2018-2019 academic year. LCBH is grateful to have Laurel's voice and advocacy. If you are a former pro bono attorney, supportive services intern, or legal fellow, we encourage you to Share Your Story. How did you get...
See all of our Volunteer Stories.
Reports & Publications
Get informed about housing justice issuesSEARCH OR BROWSE THE RESOURCE LIBRARY
The Case for Right to Counsel: Independent evaluator finds RTC Pilot creates greater access to justice for Chicago’s renters
Stout, a global advisory firm, released its independent evaluation of Chicago’s Right to Counsel (RTC) Pilot Program in late November. Compiling nearly three years’ worth of data from LCBH and our partners, Legal Aid Chicago and CARPLS,...
No Time for Justice: A Study of Chicago’s Eviction Court
Residential landlords and tenants participate in contractual relationships in which the landlord provides habitable housing and tenants pay their rent on time. Although the success of these relationships is essential to the health of the...
Time to Move: The Denial of Tenants’ Rights in Chicago’s Eviction Court
The housing market in Chicago grows continually hostile to tenants, particularly those with low and moderate incomes. As the affordable housing market shrinks, the stakes to maintain housing rise, as does the value of possessing an affordable unit.
Prejudged: The Stigma of Eviction Court Records
Tens of thousands of families and individuals face eviction in Illinois each year. The vast majority live in Cook County, which has more rental units than the other 101 Illinois counties combined.
History of LCBH’s work to pass and protect the Keep Chicago Renting Ordinance (KCRO)
Meet the community partners, pro bono volunteers, and renters who rallied to protect Chicago renters living in foreclosed buildings.
LCBH Eviction Data Portal Reports
Three reports were released in tandem with the launch of the Chicago Evictions data portal: 1) Chicago’s Eviction Crisis, 2) Most Families Forced Out for Less than $2,500 Back Rent, and 3) Legal Aid Attorneys Make the Difference.
LCBH Eviction Sealing Project
Supported by community partners and 165 pro bono volunteers, LCBH hosted 15 community-based clinics over the course of nine months to help tenants seal old eviction filing records
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