MLK Day 🏡

Given that we're honoring Dr. King today, I've been reflecting a lot on his time in Chicago. Six decades ago ago, he was in our city leading the Chicago Freedom Movement. The goal of this movement was to integrate the city's egregiously segregated housing stock.

To this end, the Movement used a pioneering if straightforward technique. They sent black volunteers, pretending to be customers, to realtors and landlords in segregated neighborhoods asking for vacancies, and then sent white volunteers to do the same.

The results were unsurprising. Dr. King said:

“We sent Negroes in large numbers to the real estate offices in Gage Park. Every time Negroes went in, the real estate agent said ‘Oh, I’m sorry we don’t have anything listed.’ And then soon after that we sent some of our fine white staff members into those same real estate offices and the minute those white persons got in, they opened the book. ‘Oh yes, we have several things, now what exactly do you want?’”

The sad truth is, segregation and racism are still endemic in our housing system in Chicago. Our city remains one of the most segregated places in America. And just three years ago, the Chicago Lawyers Committee for Better Housing did the same kind of testing experiment as Dr. King did in the '60s and found racial discrimination in 27% of cases. One out of four landlords was discriminating against black tenants.

Fair, equitable, high-quality, affordable, integrated housing must be a part of any vision of a better city and a better nation. Dr. King knew it. He fought for it. And we still have a long way to go before we realize his vision.

As chair of the Housing Committee in the Illinois House, I'll do everything I can to make that vision a reality. And we can all do our part in bringing to life Dr. King's broader vision of a loving, just, and decent society, where we drive out darkness with light, and hate with love.

Enjoy the holiday, and lets recommit ourselves to the work for justice together.

*Dr. King speaking in Chicago during the Summer of 1965.*

RENT ASSISTANCE

While the State's rent assistance program has ended, Chicago residents facing eviction or homelessness can still apply for the City's Rental Assistance Program until Jan. 31 to get money for past or future rent payments, or security deposits.

Click here to learn how to apply.