The fight for Renters Rights is heating up this month!
September 2nd, 2026
Get involved now to help pass the Protecting Renters Ordinance
The battle for increased renter protections is heating up! Chicago’s City Council is considering two bills. The Protecting Renters Ordinance would be the biggest improvement to tenant protections in 40 years, while the rival FAIR Ordinance would roll back existing rights. The corporate landlord industry may have more money, but there are more of us who want to see renter protections than there are of them! We need you to keep up the pressure on our alderpeople as they decide whose side they’re on! Check out ways to get involved below, and more housing justice news from the Northside.
Protecting Renters Ordinance Teach-In
Join us for a teach-in on Wednesday, September 2, from 5:30-7pm in-person at our office. We’ll review how this ordinance will benefit renters, share how the real estate interests are fighting against it and actively advancing the (un)FAIR ordinance that will roll back existing tenant protections, and we will offer tangible actions you can take in the meeting itself to help pass this historic legislation!
We are on track for this critical law to protect renters to be voted on at the Housing and Real Estate Committee on Wednesday, September 16. Sign up to attend a rally and press conference downtown at City Hall at 9am.
MORE WAYS TO SUPPORT THE PROTECTING RENTERS ORDINANCE
If you haven’t already, email your alderperson right now to tell them to vote YES on PRO and NO on the rival (un)FAIR ordinance. They are hearing a lot from the real estate lobby and not enough from tenants and allies! Fill out this form to send an email in less than one minute.
Sign up for a canvass shift to talk to neighbors in Lakeview about PRO! Ald. Lawson supports the (un)FAIR ordinance and is opposed to PRO. We need to make sure he is hearing from renters in his ward. Shifts on Tue/Thu evenings and Sun afternoons.
MORE NORTHSIDE HOUSING JUSTICE NEWS
Widespread misinformation about Emanuel Congregation’s redevelopment plan is being shared – here’s the truth
Earlier this year, Emanuel Congregation at Sheridan & Thorndale, an Institutional Member of ONE Northside, announced their plan to redevelop their synagogue into a mixed-use property that would include housing, among other amenities. After multiple meetings with the congregation, developer and neighbors, Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth approved a plan includes 3 buildings, with up to 605 new units, 20% of which will be affordable. The development will increase public access to the lakefront and nearby parks, a public restroom, and storage facilities for the Park District, $200,000 in donations to improve infrastructure and safety in the parks and playgrounds nearby, and sustainability measures throughout the project. The project has drawn pushback from the community. We condemn criticisms that have relied on antisemitic tropes, which is an attack on our vision of a diverse, pluralistic north side community.While ONE Northside focuses our organizing energy on deeply affordable housing, we know we need more housing to be built to address the high demand we’re seeing in our neighborhoods. We fought hard to win and improve the Affordable Requirements Ordinance many years ago. It is an important tool for ensuring new developments include housing that is affordable to moderate-income households. This development will include these affordable units. ONE Northside remains committed to the belief that increased density is one step toward building and maintaining housing affordability and we will continue to fight for increased funding for deeply affordable housing and other solutions.
Chicago rents are rising more than other major cities
A new study confirms what we already know – the rent is too damn high! More than half of Chicago households are renters, and the supply of housing isn’t keeping up with demand. The rent prices are just zooming higher and higher.
Federal cuts to permanent supportive housing put thousands at risk
Homelessness services advocates are sounding the alarm about the federal government’s continued attempts to cut funding for permanent supportive housing! This article highlights the critical work of one of our members, Deborah’s Place. Luckily, this current effort was blocked by the courts. But the fight isn’t over. If you want to get involved in this fight, our team is working on city funding alternatives – join us at Membership Council to learn more.
Join us to build a diverse, united North Side of Chicago acting powerfully for our shared values of racial, social, and economic justice in communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
