The DuPage County GOP is warning that the Illinois Build Act would limit local zoning authority and dramatically reshape suburban communities across the state.
“The Illinois Build Act, like most progressive policies, will work out in reverse of its stated goal,” the DuPage GOP wrote in a May 20 post on X. “Once developers are able to tear down single family homes and replace them with apartments – by right, meaning without having to ask the village or city for zoning changes and without having to go through public hearings – do you really think that is going to lower the price of modest single family homes?”
The organization argued the legislation would instead encourage developers to purchase modest suburban homes, demolish them, and construct apartment complexes in their place.
“It will do the opposite,” the DuPage GOP wrote.
According to the text of the legislation, the Illinois Build Act would allow higher-density residential development in areas traditionally reserved for single-family homes, expand the use of accessory dwelling units, reduce minimum parking requirements near transit hubs, and limit some municipal restrictions on multi-family construction. Critics contend the proposal would weaken local control over development decisions and alter the character of suburban communities.
The DuPage GOP believes the proposal would increase pressure on schools, traffic infrastructure, and existing housing stock throughout suburban communities.
“Every suburb will be swamped with apartments as modest single-family housing will be bought up and torn down by developers,” the organization wrote. “This will upend everything in the suburbs, from our schools to traffic to single-family home housing stock.”
The DuPage GOP also warned that local governments would have limited ability to block such developments if the legislation passes.
“Your local officials will be powerless to stop it,” the organization wrote.
Kevin Coyne, chairman of the DuPage GOP, urged residents to contact state lawmakers and oppose the measure in Springfield. He also called on municipalities to adopt formal resolutions against the proposal and suggested placing advisory referendum questions on local ballots in November.
“Please tell your representatives in Springfield to oppose the Illinois Build Act,” Coyne said. “Please ask your local officials to pass formal resolutions opposing it. Advisory ballot questions on this bill for our voters to weigh in on in November would be even better!”
The DuPage County GOP is led by Chairman Kevin Coyne, a former Naperville City Councilman and current member of the Naperville Public Library Board of Trustees. Coyne, who became chairman in 2025, is also the founder of the political action committee Safe Suburbs USA and has been involved in national Republican campaigns.
