Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness

After the completion of the Illinois General Assembly’s legislative session on May 31, CCH is celebrating successful state budget advocacy by our policy, Law Project, and organizing staff, alongside our grassroots leaders. Working with organizational and legislative allies, our efforts prevented additional cuts to the Home Illinois program and secured new funding for students experiencing homelessness. Meanwhile, we also recognize the urgent need to increase state revenue to ensure funding can grow as threats to federal homelessness programs become more dire. Read more at our blog: uniqo.de/cch-advocacy-2026

HB 1429 would protect people experiencing unsheltered homelessness from being subjected to fines and arrests for existing in public spaces. Thank you, Stefano for sharing your story and uplifting the importance of HB 1429 in protecting those experiencing homelessness.

Reach out to your representative about HB 1429 to thank them for their support or ask them to move this bill forward: https://act.chicagohomeless.org/a/hb1429-2026

🚨Contact your state legislators TODAY to demand they protect Illinois’ homeless and housing services. 🚨

Through these programs, street outreach teams, case managers, and social workers support individuals experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. They reduce rates of homelessness by providing immediate assistance, assessments, housing, and emergency support. As the cost of living rises across the state and federal supports are disappearing, the state must build upon these past successes to get us closer to ending homelessness.

The legislative session wraps up this weekend, so please join CCH, Supportive Housing Providers Association - SHPA and Housing Action Illinois in asking your legislators to restore HOME Illinois funding to the FY25 level of $290 million: chicagohomeless.org/homeil

According to news reports, about 120,000 Illinoisans lost benefits on May 1, including many who may be eligible for on-going food assistance if they can provide documentation of work, training, or community service, or qualify for an exemption.

The CCH Law Project and Legal Aid Chicago are helping people get their benefits back. If you have any questions or need assistance with SNAP or other public benefits, contact the CCH Law Project at (800) 940-1119 or Legal Aid Chicago at (312) 341-1070. Learn more on our blog: chicagohomeless.org/SNAP-changes

Katie Prout’s Chicago Reader article documents how the people living in Legion Park joined together to resist eviction by the park district and attempted to negotiate a compromise to preserve the supportive community that developed there, the only home they had. Through their resistance, they set a precedent for others who are facing displacement without viable options to fight for what they need. Read the full article: https://chicagoreader.com/news/legion-park-homeless-encampment-sweep-closure-eviction/

Join our Associate Board for Yoga at We the People (1229 N North Branch St) on Saturday, June 6 at 10:30 am. All proceeds from this 60-minute class benefit CCH and our mission to build community power and advance racial equity through organizing, advocacy, legal assistance, and education to prevent and end homelessness. Register here: act.chicagohomeless.org/a/yoga-jun-2026

HB 1429 would protect people experiencing unsheltered homelessness from being subjected to fines and arrests for existing in public spaces. Thank you State Representative Kevin Olickal, State Representative Lindsey LaPointe, State Representative Dagmara Avelar, State Representative Mary Beth Canty, and Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch for your response to the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board’s troubling take on HB 1429 and your leadership on this important legislation.

Though the bill did not make it out of the House before the House bill deadline, Lead Sponsor Rep. Olickal is exploring opportunities to move HB 1429 forward during the remainder of this legislative session or veto session next fall. Email your representative to thank them for their support or ask them to move this bill forward: act.chicagohomeless.org/a/hb1429-2026

Thank you for sharing the stories of vendors and grounding the conversation in the systemic and structural barriers that cause homelessness. CCH Manager of City Policy M Nelsen discusses the primary drivers of homelessness, including racism, lack of access to affordable housing, and low wages. Read more: https://www.chicagoreporter.com/how-a-street-newspaper-creates-jobs-for-chicagoans/ (link in bio)