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.
See how Evanston's density bonus law rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.