Chicago City Wire

Illinois community college students will soon find it easier to locate affordable housing.

On July 9, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation which authorizes Illinois community colleges to develop affordable housing for its students, and the legislation will take effect Jan. 1.

"This will be a major bonus for not only students but community colleges as well," Sen. Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago) said in a Facebook post three days after the signing. "There are many advantages to living on campus for students, but the benefits go far beyond having an onsite dorm room or apartment. Studies show that students who live on campus complete more credit hours and have higher grade point averages."

Sims, who sponsored and helped push the legislation through the state Senate, for months tracked the bill's progress and talked about it to keep it in the public eye.

"House Bill 374 is about bettering the college experience for every student in this state," Sims said in a May 4 Facebook post shortly after the bill made it out of the Senate Higher Education Committee. "Research shows that students who live on campus have higher GPAs, and when students live on campus they are more plugged in to the campus community and have more opportunities to join clubs, attend events and meet new people."

HB 374 amends the state's Public Community College and Housing Authorities acts to allow community colleges to develop student housing, something that had been prohibited under prior law. Next year, community colleges will be allowed to partner with local housing authorities to provide affordable housing options to its students.

HB 374 was introduced into the state House in late January by State Rep. Nicholas Smith (D-Chicago) and passed that chamber on April 15 with 81 yeas, 31 nays and 1 "present" vote. The legislation unanimously passed the state Senate on May 25.