05/26/2026
State Representative Jed Davis (R-Yorkville) has filed the Family First Housing Act, legislation aimed at protecting the ability of Illinois families to care for aging parents on their own property without unnecessary government or homeowners’ association restrictions.
Across Illinois, aging parents want to remain close to children and grandchildren, while maintaining dignity, family connection, and independence. Nursing care expenses, restrictive local rules, and rising housing costs have made these arrangements increasingly difficult.
Rep. Davis says the Family First Housing Act is built around a simple belief — families should be allowed to take care of each other.
“There comes a point in life where many parents who once cared for us may someday need us to care for them,” said Davis. “For generations, families looked after one another, lived close together, and carried burdens together. Government should not stand in the way of a son or daughter wanting to keep mom or dad close to home.”
House Bill 5791 would allow owner-occupied residential properties to contain one accessory dwelling unit for a qualifying parent of the homeowner or the homeowner’s spouse. The bill applies only to family care situations and prohibits the units from being used as rental properties or short-term rentals.
The proposal preserves local authority over building safety, fire codes, and reasonable construction standards while preventing outright bans on family care units.
Davis concluded, “Many families simply want the freedom to create a small apartment above a garage, an in-law suite, or a dwelling where aging parents can remain near the people who love them most. As lawmakers, we spend a lot of time talking about strengthening families. This bill is a chance to actually do it.”
