Cook County does not maintain a countywide density bonus ordinance, but the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act (310 ILCS 67) and IHDA programs allow developers to seek density relief in certain non-exempt municipalities, plus voluntary suburban inclusionary programs.
Illinois has no statewide density-bonus mandate parallel to California's Density Bonus Law. The Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act (310 ILCS 67) requires non-exempt municipalities (those below 10 percent affordable housing) to submit affordable housing plans, and developers proposing affordable units may appeal denials to the State Housing Appeals Board for density and bulk relief. Suburban Cook municipalities like Evanston, Highland Park, and Oak Park have adopted voluntary inclusionary zoning offering FAR or unit-count bonuses for set-aside affordable housing. CHA and IHDA layer Low-Income Housing Tax Credit financing. Chicago's Affordable Requirements Ordinance is separate.
Falsely claiming density-bonus eligibility, missing affordability covenant deadlines, or failing to record long-term affordability restrictions triggers permit revocation, claw-back of bonus units, and IHDA enforcement under recorded land-use restriction agreements.
Cook County, IL
Cook County's Land Use Policy Plan and Chapter 102 zoning ordinance set district categories and standards for unincorporated areas, while each suburban munic...
Cook County, IL
Illinois state law (Rent Control Preemption Act, 50 ILCS 825) prohibits local rent control ordinances statewide. Cook County cannot impose rent control on un...
See how Cook County's density bonus law rules stack up against other locations.
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