A nonbinding question is on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Voters in the city of Springfield will weigh in this year on whether they support requiring landlords to register their rental properties.
Such a registry could saddle landlords with registration fees, inspections or other requirements. A registry is intended to ensure landlord compliance with issues such as building codes, but the prospect raises questions:
- What problems would a registry solve?
- What would it cost landlords and taxpayers?
- How would the city measure whether it improves rental housing?
Last November, aldermen considered placing on the ballot a nonbinding question about landlord registration. Five aldermen supported the move, four opposed it, and one recused herself. It needed six votes.
After that effort failed, a former Springfield alderman and current Sangamon County Board member wrote a letter to the editor telling residents they could put an advisory question on the ballot via an initiative petition with just over 3,500 signatures.
That has resulted in this being on the ballot this fall: “Shall the City of Springfield adopt a landlord registry, inspection, and licensing program similar to other Illinois cities?”
The vote result is nonbinding on the city.
Springfield legal counsel previously estimated the city has 21,000 to 27,000 rental units. The city is dealing with a tight housing market, ranking top five Illinois metro areas for housing inventory drops.
A registry has failed before in Springfield. In 2023, the council rejected 6-to-4 a proposal covering buildings with more than 50 units and landlords owning at least 10 units across multiple buildings.
In November 2025, aldermen considered placing a nonbinding question about landlord registration before voters. Five aldermen supported the move, four opposed it, and one recused herself. It needed six votes to advance.
To establish a registry, Springfield officials would need to determine what it would require and cost.
Peoria offers an example, requiring rental and other non-owner-occupied residential properties to register annually. For 2026, the city charges $75 for a single-family property and $75 for the first unit of a multifamily property, plus $20 for each additional unit. Late registrations cost $150 per property, while unregistered properties can receive $300 citations. Peoria processes nearly 6,000 registrations annually.
The notion of a registry in Springfield also comes as Illinois lawmakers consider going further. Senate Bill 3671 would create a statewide rental registry administered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority, generally charging landlords $100 per unit annually. The bill is in the Senate Assignments Committee.
