By Michael Romain
The Cook County Board of Commissioners recently approved a measure that makes it easier for people with arrest records to secure housing in the county. The board passed the “Just Housing” amendment as a new clause in the Cook County Human Rights Ordinance during a meeting on April 25. The board’s two Republican commissioners — Pete Silvestri (9th) and Sean Morrison (17th) — were the only votes against the measure. “This amendment will provide greater family stability for more than 3,300 people who return to communities in my district each year from prison,” said Commissioner Brandon Johnson (1st), the amendment’s chief sponsor whose district includes most of Austin, where he lives. The measure is Johnson’s first major legislative achievement since he took office in December.
Source: JusticeCenter