The Chicago City Council’s Housing Committee advanced Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed overhaul of tenants’ rights on Wednesday, moving the legislation closer to a full council vote despite staunch opposition and competing proposals. The committee voted 12-9 in favor of forwarding Johnson’s “Protecting Renters Ordinance” (PRO) to the full council, signaling a contentious battle ahead over one of the year’s most significant housing measures.

The package aims to strengthen tenant protections, regulate landlord practices, and enhance enforcement mechanisms amid growing concerns over rising rents and eviction practices. Key provisions include the establishment of a new Bureau of Rental Housing Services to enforce rental rules, the creation of a city-funded legal defense for low-income tenants facing eviction, and a rental registry intended to uncover hidden landlords operating through shell companies. Additionally, the ordinance would ban a range of “junk fees” charged by landlords.

Earlier this week, Johnson amended the proposal by removing a controversial rule that would have required landlords to provide specific reasons for evictions or non-renewals or face relocation fee penalties of up to $10,000. This concession aimed to address critiques from landlords and some aldermen concerned about the ordinance’s scope.

During committee debate, supporters emphasized the urgency of addressing tenant mistreatment and pointed to successful models in other jurisdictions. Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33rd) highlighted a blueprint for tenant protections that she said would benefit renters in Chicago. Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th) recounted cases of severe landlord neglect in her ward, including a child hospitalized due to a roach infestation, underscoring the need for a robust rental registry to hold landlords accountable.

Opponents argued the plan either fell short or risked unintended consequences. Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) described the measure as a “feel-good ordinance” that failed to tackle underlying problems such as enforcement against slumlords already violating existing laws. Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) expressed skepticism about the revenue projections tied to the registry fees, warning that many property owners might evade payment, potentially burdening taxpayers.

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th), who intends to advance a rival tenants’ rights proposal through committee on Thursday, cautioned against framing opposition as anti-renter. He called for a more balanced approach and urged the mayor to slow the push for final approval. Villegas said his countermeasure has sufficient support to reach the full council and pledged to hold the administration accountable through negotiation, even if a veto from Johnson follows.

The mayor’s policy chief, Jung Yoon, defended the legislation as a means to level the playing field between responsible small-scale landlords and large property owners accused of cutting corners. She also noted the expected $22 million annual revenue from rental registry fees would fund tenant services and enforcement efforts.

With the full City Council scheduled to vote next week and competing proposals advancing, the future of the city’s tenants’ rights framework remains unsettled as factions within City Hall continue to debate the balance between renters’ protections and landlords’ interests.