An Illinois House bill that would provide matching funds to employers who help workers buy homes near their jobs failed to make it out of Senate committee. MPC will be back in Springfield next session in hopes of moving it to a vote.
An Illinois House bill that would provide state matching funds to companies so their employees can buy homes closer to work passed overwhelmingly in the House but failed to make it out of Senate committee.
The bill will still be alive next year, and the Metropolitan Planning Council plans to come back with a strong campaign in hopes of moving it to a vote, said Peter Skosey, vice president of external relations for the council.
Under the proposal, employers who want to provide employer-assisted housing programs but cannot afford to do so without help would split the cost with the state 50-50, Skosey said.
The council, along with eight local housing groups and Chicago Metropolis 2020, has spearheaded its own employer-assisted housing program to ease the commute on workers and to help companies retain valuable employees.
"This bill would make it easier for other employers to do it, too," Skosey said.