📰 What Happened: Illinois lawmakers adopted the People Over Parking Act as part of a sweeping transit reform bill. Starting June 2026, cities—including home-rule cities like Chicago—can no longer require parking for most developments near frequent transit. The law applies to both new builds and renovations near rail stations and high-frequency bus routes.

🔍 A Closer Look: The law defines transit-served areas as within a ½ mile of a transit hub or ⅛ of a mile from a frequent bus corridor. While exemptions exist for lodging uses, most residential and commercial projects qualify. The policy is designed to lower project costs, streamline permitting, and encourage the reuse of existing buildings without costly parking requirements.

🧠 Why It Matters: By removing costly and space-consuming parking mandates, Illinois empowers developers to create more affordable, transit-oriented housing and commercial space. It also marks a shift to smarter land-use planning that prioritizes walkability, sustainability, and equitable access to transit in cities across the state.