Chicago is facing a housing crisis—and families are being blocked from using the space they already have to solve it.

Right now, most homeowners can’t legally rent out a basement, finish an attic for a family member, or convert a garage into a small apartment without navigating expensive permits or politics. These are the same spaces where a grandparent could age safely near loved ones. Where a single mom could stay close to her support system. Where a homeowner could finally earn extra income and stay afloat.

This isn’t about luxury. It’s about survival, stability, and using what we already have to meet what we urgently need.

We’re calling on Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago City Council to pass a citywide, by-right law legalizing accessory dwelling units (ADUs)—without the red tape of special use permits that shut working people out of the process.

Let’s legalize the homes that already exist. Let’s make room for multigenerational families, caregivers, and renters who can’t find a place they can afford. Let homeowners decide how to use their homes—and let Chicago lead on real housing solutions.

Sign if you believe your basement shouldn’t be illegal. Your coach house shouldn’t sit empty. And your city shouldn’t block more homes during a housing shortage.