Last week the Cook County Board of Commissioners voted to pass the Just Housing Amendment, a measure that would limit landlords’ and property owners’ ability to ask a potential tenant about their criminal history.
The move was hailed by supporters as a major step toward reuniting families and fighting housing discrimination, but some property owners say the board rushed the decision without sufficient public input.
Morning Shift checks in with the measure’s sponsor, Commissioner Brandon Johnson, about why he thinks the measure was important to add to the existing housing ordinance in Cook County, and respond to landlords’ concerns.
GUEST: Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, sponsor of the bill
LEARN MORE: County Board limits landlords’ inquiries into tenants’ criminal histories (Chicago Sun-Times 4/25)