Abundant Housing Illinois is preparing to deliver over 3,300 signatures in support of Ald. Lawson's ADU ordinance ahead of the City Council vote on Thursday, September 25, 2025 (come join us there in the morning).
Part of that delivery means creating a summary of the responses, highlighting why Chicagoans want ADUs legalized citywide. I've selected five comments that demonstrate their reasonings for supporting our petition.
People talk about how ADUs allow for extended families to live close by, have lower rents, restore density and bring back people who will shop at local businesses, and helps combat exclusionary zoning rules that end up keeping people out of transit-accessible neighborhoods.
Lena wrote:
"My neighbors live in a coach house that predates current zoning rules, here in Jefferson Park. When they found themselves on a small fixed income with disabilities, they were so thankful to find this place. They were able to stay in the neighborhood they grew up in, where they spent their lives, because they found someplace affordable that was just the right size.
I hear all the time about neighbors looking for someplace for a young adult kid or an aunt who lives alone, and there’s so few options around here that aren’t full single family homes. Not everybody needs or wants all that, so they have to search farther away.
ADUs open up opportunities for homeowners to use their space better and provide housing more affordably than a large-scale development. If I’ve got extra space in my backyard where I want to invite my mother in law to live, I should have the option to do so. ADUs give people options.
My neighbors in the coach house are awesome, always looking out for us. I want other Chicagoans, young and old, to be able to stay in their communities too. We need more affordable and flexible housing opportunities across Chicago."
Aaron wrote:
"Alder Waguespack, please please please help us address the scarcity of housing in the 32nd ward by supporting this legislation. If I'm a single issue voter on any subject, it's this one. The upside of this ordinance is substantial whereas the downside is minimal. Increasing the housing supply will help address so many issues in our community and Chicago at-large."
Christopher wrote:
"Legalizing ADUs in wealthy, transit-rich Chicago neighborhoods is a racial justice issue. Single-family zoning is an exclusionary practice that increases the cost of housing, increases the cost of scarce land, and denies additional affordable homes in walkable, vibrant neighborhoods.
ADUs are a climate-friendly housing option. Allowing more new, high-efficiency homes in walkable Chicago neighborhoods reduces the demand for sprawling, greenfield development in the suburbs.
You can take a brave step to unlocking new homes, protecting the environment, and providing roofs over heads. Please support ADUs citywide and help make Chicago a more inclusive, affordable, and climate-friendly city!"
Pamela wrote:
"While I am unfamiliar with any potential for ADUs in my neighborhood of the 42nd Ward, I as an architect design ADUs and other in-law arrangements in Chicago and outlying suburbs. I have seen first hand how ADUs allow extended families to live closer in greater comfort, or create income streams where none previously existed. Young families need every opportunity to be able to have extended family close."
Marilyn wrote:
"I fully support the expansion of the ADU initiative and believe citywide expansion will provide the opportunity for housing that is desperately needed in our neighborhoods. It seems like a two or even three-flat is downzoned to a luxury single family in my neighborhood, greatly reducing the rental stock AND population needed to support our cherished local businesses. I call on my Alder and the full city council to support the ADU expansion."
Other comments:
- "Our housing crisis is getting worse. Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies notes that this year Chicagoland has some of the lowest rates of new construction, and highest rent increases, of any city in the country."
- "This is a great way to increase housing. Has to be somewhat affordable so union requirements would make it impossible to build."
- "Legalize ADU construction without onerous requirements. The city needs to build and grow the tax base."
- "Anything that brings in more housing options is a win for any city. ADUs fill the missing gap for multigenerational families."
- "I am afraid of my rents continuing to rise and see ADUs allowing for rental prices to be tempered. Please support Ald. Lawson’s ordinance."