The Protecting Renters Ordinance (PRO) was in the news a lot this week, and if your head is spinning, you’re not alone! A lot happened very quickly, but here’s a quick recap and what comes next:
Last Friday, the corporate caucus, who has been backing the (un)FAIR ordinance, used a technical procedure to suddenly move the scheduled vote on both PRO and FAIR up to September 29. It looked like they had enough votes to pass FAIR. Then, thanks to public pressure and work by elected officials championing PRO, 4 alders backed off and announced they would not vote for FAIR without significant changes. The vote on September 29 was cancelled, and rescheduled for October 14.
Now both sides are moving forward to negotiate on a compromise. Between now and October 14, we have to let our alders know what protections we want them to fight for in the final ordinance. Email your alderperson now using this form. (Even if you contacted them already about PRO!)
Then, there are two more ways to get involved in the last push for an ordinance that will put renters’ rights before profits for big corporate landlords:
Housing Justice Team Meeting
Tuesday, October 6, 6:00pm-7:30pm
ICA Building, 4750 N Sheridan Rd
We’ll talk about our final push for renters’ rights, and the Keep Chicago Housed campaign.
Pack City Hall for the Final Vote
Wednesday, October 14, meet at 8:15am
City Hall, 121 N LaSalle
Wear your orange ONE Northside shirts and let’s show up in numbers for the final vote! Let our alders know we’re watching how they vote!
This day is also the mayor’s budget address, and we will also be advocating for our budget priorities with our allies in the People’s Unity Platform. This will be a packed day of fighting for people over profits!
Keep Chicago Housed Press Conference
Thursday, October 8, 9:00am-10:00am
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street
Help us keep 3,000 Chicagoans housed! Federal funding cuts are putting thousands of Chicago residents at risk of losing their homes. The Keep Chicago Housed campaign is working to prevent 3,000 Chicagoans from becoming homeless, and we need City Council to step up and save three crucial housing programs in the 2027 city budget.
Join us at our press conference to show city leaders that Chicagoans are watching, and that keeping our neighbors housed is a priority.
ONE Northside Orientation
Monday, October 19, 6:00pm-7:00pm
ONE Northside Office, 4750 N Sheridan Rd, Ste 200
Learn about ONE Northside, community organizing, and how you can get involved in the work of building a more just and equitable world right where you live. This one-hour intro is led by members of ONE Northside and is a great way to jump into our work!
Lakeview Make Polluters Pay Community Info & Listening Session
Tuesday, October 13, 6:00pm-7:30pm
Lake View Presbyterian Church, 716 W Addison
Join ONE Northside and Illinois State Representative Ann Williams as we talk about how climate change is already impacting Northside Chicago communities and what we can do to fight back against corporate polluter greed!
Get Ready to Vote!
Election Day is November 3, 2026. Early voting will be available in all 50 wards in Chicago beginning October 19.
In America, most of us believe voters should pick our leaders, but this regime wants to keep people from voting so they can control our elections and seize more power. We won’t let them do that! These elections are a critical opportunity to flex our power en masse against the billionaire class who have taken over our federal government and are making everything more expensive. Voting is one act of resistance.
US citizens who are 18+ by Election Day are eligible to vote. Check your voter registration status here.
Find polling places, learn who is on your ballot, register to vote, and more info about voting at ChicagoElections.gov.
