Due to Illinois' state government response to COVID-19 being a shelter-in-place order for the foreseeable future, with no guaranteed end date, many have been left unemployed until further notice. The wave of income loss has impacted many tenants - who are now fully unable to, or uncertain in their ability to, pay rent. 

Since flattening the curve of this pandemic and promoting public health should be everyone's top priority at this time, it goes without saying that those who cannot pay their rent should not be at risk of harassment or eviction. 

In anticipation of April 1st, we called Saccone & Sons, explained our situation, and asked for a rent reduction. They said that they would not negotiate any rent assistance or forgiveness.  We don’t think it’s fair for them to punish us if we can’t pay our rent during an emergency that we have no control over. We think if we all spoke up together we can stop that kind of thing from happening. 

At this time, Saccone Tenants are organizing to make demands of our landlord, including a rent freeze for the duration of the shelter-in-place order, as well as rent forgiveness. With this petition, we hope to extend our support system beyond the confines of our landlord-tenant agreements. 

In signing this petition, you are expressing solidarity in our efforts of forming a tenant union and undergoing collective action to achieve a rent freeze now! 

*** For more information on how to get involved if you are a Saccone renter, please email sacconerenters@gmail.com ***