The Midwest is having a moment. The question is whether Illinois is ready for it.
A recent Atlantic article highlights growing migration to the Midwest driven by affordability, and names Rockford as one of the most popular housing markets in the country. It’s true.
But here’s the reality.
Rockford’s affordability wasn’t engineered through policy. It has remained affordable largely because demand was historically lower, shaped by population trends, economic shifts, and a long recovery from the housing crash.
That is exactly why this moment matters. The question is whether Rockford, and communities like it, are prepared to respond through the policies that allow housing to be built.
As demand increases, affordability does not hold unless supply keeps pace. Rockford is already seeing prices rise. Other regions have gone through this before and lost affordability because they were not prepared to build.
Some communities are taking steps to address these challenges, but they aren’t enough. Housing markets do not stop at municipal boundaries, and a patchwork approach will only go so far.
This is where the conversation around the Illinois BUILD package matters.
As with any policy that challenges the status quo, concerns have been raised about what these changes will mean in practice.
The BUILD package is not introducing new ideas. It addresses the same barriers other states have already acted on, including parking mandates, accessory dwelling units, and restrictive zoning.
Montana, Oregon, and Washington faced the same concerns we are hearing now. They still moved forward and focused on removing barriers to housing. Many of the predicted impacts have not materialized to the scale suggested. What has become clear is that restrictive zoning was the real constraint.
Zoning determines what can be built, how it can be built, and how much can be built, which directly shapes housing supply and influences affordability.
More communities across the country continue to adopt similar reforms, recognizing that the greater risk is not building enough housing. These concerns are not new, and neither are the results.
Illinois has a choice.
We can learn from what is working elsewhere and position our communities for growth, workforce stability, and long-term business success, or choose the alternative: fall behind while opportunity continues to move elsewhere.
A storyline many Illinoisans know well.
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Strong housing policy begins with clear data, thoughtful collaboration, and a shared commitment to expanding opportunity for every community.
—Neeley Erickson
Neeley Erickson is a Government Affairs Director specializing in housing policy, local governance, and community development across Illinois. Her work focuses on advancing practical solutions that expand housing opportunity and strengthen communities.