The quest for affordable housing in Chicago faces a significant hurdle as Mayor Brandon Johnson struggles to gain the necessary support for his proposed Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance.
Alderman Bennett Lawson (44th), who has overseen the City Council’s Zoning Committee during a tumultuous period, has warned that without a compromise, the city risks losing out on vital housing solutions.
The stalled ADU ordinance has become a point of contention in the city, primarily between bungalow belt alderpersons and those representing more densely populated areas.
Lawson, who stepped in as acting chair after the resignation of Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th), has worked diligently for over a year to find common ground on this contentious issue.
While Mayor Johnson’s ideal proposal advocates for the ability to build ADUs citywide without special permits, Lawson’s more moderate plan seeks to mitigate concerns by requiring special use permits in areas designated R-1 and R-2, which predominantly feature single-family homes.
“I knew that didn’t have the votes, where mine did. So, I’ve held off on calling it,” Lawson told the Sun-Times.
His approach has included a pilot program supported by local alderpersons, addressing both the demand for housing and the concerns of constituents.
There’s a pervasive need for affordable housing across Chicago, with Lawson noting, “There’s demand for this all over the city.”
As the impasse continues, Lawson has shifted to more practical solutions, such as allowing the conversion of underutilized commercial spaces into residential units without requiring a zoning change and waiving parking requirements.
Additionally, he has proposed legislation that would facilitate the creation of first-floor dwelling units behind commercial storefronts, ensuring accessibility while preserving the commercial aspect of neighborhoods.
Johnson’s vision for the ADU ordinance emphasizes that the only way to address the current shortage—estimated at 120,000 affordable units—is to permit the construction of ADUs citywide by right, effectively removing the power of local council members to veto projects through aldermanic prerogative.
However, Lawson argues that Johnson’s reluctance to compromise is detrimental to the city’s housing goals.
“If the mayor wants to put a brick on the compromise and we come up with nothing, then we’re really losing out. We’re letting the perfect be the enemy of the good,” he states.
Lawson highlights the lost potential of over 100,000 units that could have been initiated if progress had been made in the past year.
The current political landscape suggests that Johnson’s strategy, which hinges on persuading the more conservative alderpersons from the bungalow belt to accept his broader vision, may be misguided.
Alderman Marty Quinn (13th) and colleagues from similar districts express concern that new regulations could transform their neighborhoods, which consist mainly of single-family homes, into areas with increased density and a higher rental population.
“Now, everybody gets a two-flat. A street of bungalows becoming a street of two-flats, in their minds, is a concern and a big change in the dynamic of their neighborhood,” Lawson notes.
Despite these concerns, Lawson stresses that introducing ADUs in a controlled manner is more sustainable and could strike a balance between preserving neighborhood character and addressing the housing crisis.
The stalemate over the ADU ordinance has stirred discussions among lawmakers and constituents alike about the future of housing in Chicago, emphasizing the need for cooperation and compromise to develop effective solutions.
With pressure mounting for a resolution, the outcome of this debate may shape the city’s approach to affordable housing for years to come.
As both sides grapple with their visions and the implications of their decisions, the residents of Chicago continue to wait, hoping for a path forward that meets the pressing demand for affordable housing.
image source from：https://chicago.suntimes.com/fran-spielman-show/2025/05/30/granny-flats-affordable-housing-alderman-bennett-lawson-mayor-brandon-johnson
