Chicago Evictions Data Portal

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.

Over 20,000 Chicago evictions predicted once Governor’s moratorium is lifted

Research shows ongoing racial disparities in eviction filings, need for emergency rental assistance

December 17, 2020 posted in Eviction, Chicago Evictions Data Portal, COVID-19

"The landlord cut off my lights and heat and forced me to move," says Auburn Gresham resident Tamy, "It was the day after my birthday." Tamy, a client of Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing (LCBH), is one of many renters who despite Governor JB Pritzker’s eviction moratorium have experienced an illegal lockout or unlawful eviction.

At a virtual town hall forum on Thursday, December 17, LCBH announced a new report, "Eviction Filings, Unemployment, and the Impact of COVID 19," in partnership with Loyola University Chicago's Center for Urban Research and Learning (CURL). The report uses statistical modeling of the historical relationship between unemployment and eviction filings to address concerns about a possible wave of eviction filings due to COVID-19. Chicago may see as many as 21,000 formal evictions in the first month after the moratorium is lifted, according to the model. For comparison, prior to the health crisis, the average number of eviction filings the first two months of 2020 was 1,567. The forum also discussed informal evictions and the much larger number of renters at-risk of displacement due to COVID-19.

Observations on the Mayor's Poverty Summit by Mark Swartz

March 6, 2020 posted in Eviction, Chicago Evictions Data Portal, Court-Based Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA), Right to Council

I had the privilege to attend Mayor Lightfoot's Chicago Solutions Towards Ending Poverty (STEP) Summit on February 20, 2020. The Summit convened academics, researchers, artists, grassroots community activists, business leaders, and government officials to launch a year-long movement to address poverty and economic hardship affecting Chicago residents. Among the many thoughtful panel discussions, a few remarks stood out to me. Dr. Luke Shaefer, from the University of Michigan, stated, "we can also intervene to make sure people have more money so that they can pay more of their rent." LCBH couldn’t agree more!

One of the key findings our Chicago Evictions Data Portal revealed is that 82% of Chicago eviction cases filed in 2010-17 made claims for back rent. In 18%, the rent owed was less than $1,000, and an additional 44% were under $2,500. LCBH's new Court-Based Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program provides eligible Chicago renters with supportive services, free legal aid, and access to State Homelessness Prevention Funds—up to $5,000—for back rent and or security deposits as a means of resolving unpaid rent claims.

Mark’s Musings – January 2020 Edition

January 29, 2020 posted in Chicago Evictions Data Portal, Court-Based Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA), LCBH News, LCBH 40th Anniversary

I'm excited to share some of the "new year" resolutions we've set here at LCBH.

Plan ahead. Housing justice in Chicago is ever-evolving and we want to ensure LCBH is both nimble and effective for our clients and community. This week, we begin the process of creating a new three-year strategic plan for the organization. Email me if you have thoughts or suggestions for us to consider.

Build on 2019 Accomplishments. It was a big year for LCBH! Among many accomplishments, I want to highlight three of our most notable:

Whiteside Brings Personal Experience to LCBH Board of Directors

January 6, 2020 posted in Board of Directors, LCBH News, Chicago Evictions Data Portal

Last summer, Mae Whiteside did something that’s highly unusual in the world of non-profits.

"I picked up the phone and called to see if Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing had any openings for board members" she shares. "I needed to get back involved in this fight, because being homeless shaped me into who I am today."

Whiteside's childhood homes included tiny kitchenette studios, rooms with no heat, acquaintances' couches, and even homeless shelters. Her family's journey through homelessness began in 1985 when Mae's older sister turned 18 and financial support for her ended. Mae's mother tried but couldn't get their household income adjusted with the Chicago Housing Authority.

"She met with many pro bono and legal service providers – they couldn’t help, didn’t care," Mae says.

Robinson Brings NYC Expertise to Advocacy Efforts

October 29, 2019 posted in LCBH News, Right to Council, Just Cause, Lift the Ban, Chicago Evictions Data Portal

Sally Robinson and Illinois Supreme Court Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr.

After a somewhat lengthy process, our newest staff attorney Sally Robinson was recently sworn in to practice here in Illinois.

Sally joined LCBH in May after moving to Chicago from New York City, where she held staff attorney and supervisory positions as a tenant-side housing advocate. Most recently, she was a managing attorney in housing at Legal Services of New York City, an organization that saw unprecedented growth in the wake of the New York passage of right to counsel for housing cases.

That experience is proving extremely beneficial. While waiting out the admittance process, in addition to her supervised assistance in eviction defense cases, Sally has been involved in LCBH’s advocacy work around Right to Counsel and Just Cause.

Mark’s Musings - September Edition

September 30, 2019 posted in Annual Benefit, Fellows, Eviction Diversion Program, Right to Council, Chicago Evictions Data Portal

Hello!

I'm pleased to share that policy recommendations from LCBH's Chicago Evictions data portal launch event last May have led to several notable results:

LCBH will be an All Chicago Emergency Fund grantee, allowing the Eviction Diversion Program to expand and keep more renters housed.
The Chicago Reporter fully endorsed our recommendations.
Right to Counsel advocacy efforts are taking shape with our community partners.

You'll learn more about each of these when you attend the 39th Annual Bringing Justice Home Fall Networking and Awards event on Monday, November 4. I'm grateful to LCBH's Young Professionals Board for their hard work - this evening is one of my favorites. Get your ticket today and save $10.

An exciting addition this year is our inaugural Sharon L. King Distinguished Alumni Award presentation. So many dedicated individuals do and have done the front line work with individuals facing eviction in Chicago. Learn more about this award and nominate an LCBH "alum" who deserves recognition.

Statement on Chicago's Quarterly Progress on 5-Year Housing Plan

July 17, 2019 posted in Chicago Evictions Data Portal, Eviction, Affordable Housing

Mark Swartz, LCBH’s Executive Director, speaks at The City of Chicago’s Committee on Housing and Real Estate

The City of Chicago’s Committee on Housing and Real Estate met today. The agenda included a quarterly progress report on the Department of Housing’s 5-year housing plan. Mark Swartz, LCBH’s Executive Director, provided the following statement on Chicago’s ongoing eviction problem:

Good Afternoon. My name is Mark Swartz and I am the Executive Director of Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing.

As we embark upon the new 5-year Housing Plan, I want to address the topic of eviction both as a driver of displacement of our most vulnerable citizens as well a threat to the Plan’s principals of diversity and equity between and among our communities. I also want to share with you a resource that LCBH designed to help understand Chicago’s eviction landscape.

On May 16 of this year, LCBH launched the Chicago Evictions data portal along with a series of 3 reports highlighting some of the impacts eviction has had on the City. The data show that since 2010, on average, there have been just over 23,000 evictions in Chicago each year – that’s about 1 in 25 renters and their families each year who are facing eviction.

Chicago Evictions Community Forum Recap

June 17, 2019 posted in Eviction, Chicago Evictions Data Portal

On May 16, 2019 we held a community forum at Austin Town Hall Park to release our Chicago Evictions data portal that analyzes eviction court records filed during the calendar years of 2010-2017 with the Circuit Court of Cook County. Our guest speakers were Deborah Bennett (Polk Bros. Foundation), Taft West (Chicago Community Loan Fund), Peter Rosenblatt Ph.D (Loyola University), Diane Limas (Communities United), Frank Avellone (LCBH), and Anthony Simpkins (Chicago Dept. of Planning & Development). If you were not able to attend – or if you were there and want to revisit some of the insights and recommendations our panelists shared — you can now view the full forum on YouTube!