Toni Preckwinkle President at Cook County Government | Official website
Toni Preckwinkle President at Cook County Government | Official website
The Cook County Department of Human Rights and Ethics has announced a new research partnership with Roosevelt University’s Policy Research Collaborative. This collaboration aims to study the effects of the Just Housing Amendment (JHA) on housing access for residents in Cook County. The JHA, part of the Cook County Human Rights Ordinance, seeks to prevent housing discrimination against individuals involved with the criminal justice system.
Funded by the Cook County Equity Fund and supported by Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, this partnership is intended to assess both challenges and successes related to fair chance housing laws. President Preckwinkle highlighted the significance of such laws, stating, “With over 30,000 individuals returning home from prison annually in Illinois, fair chance housing laws, like JHA, are increasingly important for housing equity.”
The enforcement of the JHA began in February 2020 but faced difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges included limited public awareness and outreach efforts. Despite these obstacles, the Cook County Commission on Human Rights (CCCHR) received a 2023 NACo Achievement Award for its innovative outreach strategies.
The CCCHR acknowledges that understanding of JHA's impacts has been largely anecdotal or based on filed complaints. The newly announced research partnership aims to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of JHA's success and barriers.
Director Jennifer King expressed gratitude for Dr. Laura Nussbaum-Barberena and Dr. Tania Arvanitidis’ leadership in this study: “[W]e take our role as the enforcement agency of this historic legislation seriously and we understand the necessity of protecting Cook County residents who are searching for affordable, accessible housing.”
Dr. Nussbaum-Barberena from Roosevelt University's Policy Research Collaborative added that they are "honored to partner with CCCHR" to help inform approaches toward implementing this critical ordinance.
Roosevelt University’s Policy Research Collaborative is an interdisciplinary center focusing on applied research aimed at fostering equity through policy and advocacy work.
The Cook County Commission on Human Rights works against discrimination in various areas including employment and housing within Cook County. Residents who believe they have faced housing discrimination can reach out to them for assistance.
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