Shifting from Punitive to Proactive Code Enforcement: Lessons from Illinois

Code enforcement can help protect residents and improve neighborhood conditions—but too often, traditional approaches to code enforcement fail to address the root causes of violations and contribute to housing instability.  A new report from Housing Action Illinois and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers a path forward. 

Based on case studies from midsize Illinois cities and statewide data, Code Enforcement as a Tool for Safe, Equitable & Affordable Housing offers policy and practice recommendations for more effective code enforcement that prioritizes compliance while reducing unintended harm.   

Join this webinar to: 

• Learn how disparities in enforcement, accountability gaps, and prioritization of property value affect housing conditions 

• Discover policy and practice recommendations that improve code enforcement systems 

• Understand how these findings can apply to municipalities across Illinois and beyond 

Speakers: 

• Sharon Legenza – Executive Director, Housing Action Illinois  

• Emma Walters – PhD Candidate, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 

• Tarik Abdelazim – Vice President, Technical Assistance, Center for Community Progress