Dozens of renters and housing advocates protested outside the Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance's "Summer Soiree," urging passage of the Protecting Renters Ordinance (PRO) and greater landlord accountability. Protesters called for just-cause evictions, relocation assistance, bans on predatory fines, a rental registry and expanded legal aid. Demonstrators also highlighted allegations tied to a former NBOA chair and an ICE raid, and said organizers will continue pushing both public pressure and policy change.
Chicago Renters Rally Outside Landlords' Gala, Press for Just-Cause Evictions and Stronger Tenant Protections
Photo Credit: iStock
Dozens of Chicago renters and housing advocates gathered outside the Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance's annual "Summer Soiree" to demand stronger tenant protections, accountability for alleged landlord misconduct, and passage of the Protecting Renters Ordinance (PRO).
Representatives from One Northside, the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, the Chicago Union of Tenants, the Belden Sawyer Tenant Association, the Metropolitan Tenants Organization and other groups held signs, chanted and gave speeches as fundraiser guests arrived. Organizers said the demonstration briefly disrupted traffic for about two hours as participants directed their message to attendees and passersby.
What Protesters Want
A central demand was passage of the Protecting Renters Ordinance, introduced to the Chicago City Council in May. Supporters say the PRO would:
- Require just cause for evictions and nonrenewals;
- Mandate relocation assistance in certain circumstances;
- Ban predatory fines and fees;
- Create a rental registry to track rental properties and compliance;
- Expand legal supports for tenants facing eviction, including broader access to counsel.
Why Advocates Say It Matters
Advocates argued that eviction threats, surprise fines and nonrenewals can rapidly destabilize households — especially for residents already stretched by rising costs. They emphasized that stronger tenant protections and expanded legal aid can prevent displacement and give renters leverage to address unsafe or unfair housing conditions without risking immediate loss of housing.
"We're here demanding a system in which landlords can no longer take advantage of their tenants," said 39th Ward resident Dalya Lessem Elnecave. Tory de Martelly of the Belden Sawyer Tenant Association credited Chicago's Right To Counsel pilot program with helping neighbors avoid eviction when legal representation was available.
Protesters also pointed to broader everyday restrictions some tenants face — such as rules barring gardens or clotheslines — that can increase utility costs and limit low-waste, money-saving household choices.
Demonstrators raised additional concerns about landlord accountability after allegations involving former Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance chair Corey Oliver and an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid at a South Shore apartment building were highlighted at the event. Organizers said accountability should cover the full range of harms tenants report experiencing.
Organizers intend to continue combining public pressure with policy campaigns, arguing that the PRO and expanded legal assistance would give renters stronger protections before disputes escalate into displacement.
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