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Imagine the house next door being torn down, subdivided, and replaced by four apartments. If the proposal, “Building Up Illinois Developments (BUILD) Act,” passes, this alarming scenario would be possible.

Under this zoning change, recommended by the State of Illinois, local municipalities would be stripped of the authority to determine the size of residential lots, as well as what could be built on them. One of the proposals would establish a minimum lot size of only 2,500 square feet. As a comparison, Wheaton’s current minimum lot size is 6,500 square feet, and Chicago’s is about 3,250 square feet. Why is someone proposing a lot size—in any community—that is smaller than the lots in a major metropolitan city?

What that means is, a 10,000 square foot lot, in the City of Wheaton, could be subdivided into four separate lots. What’s worse, there would be limited restrictions as to what could be built on those lots. This is simply bad policy.

It comes as no surprise that the suggested changes are not popular in local communities. The DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference (DMMC) recently conducted a county-wide poll showing that more than 70 percent of respondents believe zoning and land-use decisions should remain local, while more than half say growth is already happening at the right pace. People who took the poll also prioritized affordability, taxes, and cost of living over increased neighborhood density and expansion. In learning about the BUILD Act 61% of DuPage voters believe that it is a bad idea.

“Today is about ensuring growth happens responsibly, with long-term planning that keeps our communities sustainable for future generations.” —Wheaton Mayor and DMMC Vice President Phil Suess

“Statewide mandates may look simple on paper, but local governments are the ones responsible for managing the real-world impacts.” —Debby Sosine, Algonquin Village President, representing the McHenry County Council of Government

“State policy should support local collaboration, not override established community planning processes.” —Billy McKinney, Lake County Municipal League President and Mayor of Zion

Leaders also emphasized local efforts to responsibly expand housing opportunities, inviting state leaders to join existing initiatives. More than 6,100 multi-family homes have been built in DuPage County alone since 2020, with thousands more on their way. Within Wheaton, over 500 new housing units are currently under construction, approved, or proposed. A balanced approach that preserves municipal planning control, provides funding for infrastructure, and allows communities to address their housing needs is the best strategy. This blueprint for progress better aligns with the poll findings, which show that residents prioritize protecting community character over accelerated housing growth.

What You Can Do

If you believe the BUILD Act is a bad idea and you do not want multi-family housing built next to your single-family home, reach out to your state legislators. The contacts for Wheaton can be reached as follows:

• • Margaret DeLaRosa | District Office: 630-812-9292; Springfield Office: 217-782-8037; Email: ilhouse42@gmail.com
  • Laura Ellman | District Office: 630-601-9961; Springfield Office: 217-782-8192; Email: info@senatorlauraellman.com; senatorellmandistrictoffice@gmail.com
  • Amy Grant | District Office: 331-218-4182; Springfield Office: 217-558-1037; Email: grant@ilhousegop.org
  • Seth Lewis | District Office: 630-349-0645; Springfield Office: 217-782-9463; Email: lewis@ilsenategop.org
  • Others may be found on the Illinois General Assembly Website

See Mayor Suess interviewed about the legislation in the news segment on NBC5, below:

LEARN MORE: See the ABC7 segment on this zoning change.