DuPage County Board considers formal resolution opposing BUILD Act: ‘Municipalities should have full control’
District 3 DuPage County Board member Kari Galassi is actively considering a resolution opposing the controversial Building Up Illinois Developments (BUILD) Act.
The legislation, HB 5626, which failed to pass the General Assembly during the spring session, would expand state authority over local land-use decisions.
The proposal also includes an additional $100 million allocation to the Illinois Housing Development Authority for subsidized housing and seeks to ease placement of state-supported housing, such as units tied to Section 8 vouchers.
If passed, the BUILD Act is expected to have lasting implications for the character of suburban communities throughout the collar counties.
Galassi noted at the June 9 DuPage County Board meeting she would be working on a resolution opposing the BUILD Act.
"I am working with our state's attorney to draft a resolution opposing the Build Act, because I do believe strongly that local municipalities should have full control over their building and zoning ordinances,” Galassi said.
Galassi’s comments come as Gov. JB Pritzker is reportedly preparing to revive the BUILD Act during the fall veto session, scheduled for Nov. 17-19 and Dec. 1-3.
The BUILD Act aims to relax zoning restrictions in single-family residential areas to allow higher-density housing, including up to eight-unit developments on neighborhood lots traditionally zoned for single homes.
In a May 15 interview with FOX 32 Chicago, Roselle Mayor David Pileski, president of the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference, said more than 70% of surveyed DuPage County voters oppose the BUILD Act. He warned that mandated higher density could strain roads, sewers, stormwater systems, schools and other services, ultimately increasing costs for taxpayers.
Whether the remaining 17 members of the Democratic-majority board will support a formal resolution in opposition to state Democratic leadership or align with local sentiment remains an open question.
Other counties and municipalities have passed their own resolutions opposing the BUILD Act.
In May the Grundy County Board passed a resolution formally opposing the BUILD Act on the grounds that it would diminish local control over zoning and land-use decisions. The resolution notes that the legislation represents "a significant overreach of state power and a threat to local self-governance."
Several DuPage municipalities have already approved their own resolutions against the measure, including Burr Ridge, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Brookfield, Riverside, Elburn and Bolingbrook.
Isobel Michaud, a candidate for DuPage County Board District 4, also opposes the BUILD Act.
“Local control and local zoning are always best. That is why over 70% of DuPage residents (DMMC county-wide poll May 2026) oppose the BUILD Act,” Michaud told the DuPage Policy Journal. “As a member of the DuPage County Board, I would spearhead a resolution opposing the BUILD ACT (HB 5626) because it is a blatant Springfield power grab that strips our local municipalities of zoning authority.”
“I stand with our towns, including Wheaton, Winfield, Lombard, Lisle, and Downers Grove, who have formally opposed the act and I would urge our current County Board members and cities across DuPage—including the village of Glen Ellyn—to take a strong stand against the BUILD Act.”
DuPage County Board District 4 candidate Isobel Michaud. (Isobel Michaud)
Republican candidate for Illinois Lieutenant Governor Aaron Del Mar argues the bill would fundamentally alter suburban life.
In a widely shared Facebook video, Del Mar described a scenario in which a single-family home on a quarter- to half-acre lot could be demolished and replaced by an eight-unit building “by right,” without local review.
He highlighted increased parking demands, potentially 16 cars per such property, strain on utilities like water, sewer and power, and the likelihood of higher property taxes to cover infrastructure upgrades that new development revenue may not offset for years.
“You could be in your neighborhood. Having single-family, single- family, single family, single family then all of a sudden you have an eight-unit development on a quarter acre of land across from your house or next door,” Del Mar said.
Concerned Parents of Illinois, which is based in Hinsdale and led by activist Kristina McCloy, has also been vocal on social media, urging immediate action.
Kristina McCloy, founder of Concerned Parents of Illinois. (Kristina McCloy)
“No more words, posts, or just talk. The BUILD Act is the most important thing affecting our suburbs! Pass formal resolutions opposing the BUILD Act now!!!” Concerned Citizens of Illinois said on InstaGram.
Concerned Citizens of Illinois warned of sweeping impacts on suburban communities should the BUILD Act pass this fall.
“It returns in November and will impact suburban life more than anything Illinois has ever seen. Our homes, communities, and families are everything we have worked for, our biggest investments! This bill will ruin it all,” the group said.
The group further argued that the proposal would fundamentally reshape suburban neighborhoods and local governance.
“It forces Section 8 subsidized housing into our suburbs, turning them into extensions of Chicago,” Concerned Citizens of Illinois wrote. “Everything wrong with the city, crime, chaos, and decline, will be imported to our towns. It overrides local zoning, takes away all local control over housing, burdens schools, infrastructure, traffic, safety, and single family neighborhoods - plummeting property values and school ratings, bringing criminals and illegal aliens into our communities, and gerrymanders our towns with Democrat government dependent voters who demand more handouts and big government.”
The group also issued a direct call to action for local elected officials to take immediate action and formally oppose the legislation
“No more words, posts, or talks! Mayors, village board members, and County Board members across the state: Pass formal resolutions opposing the BUILD Act NOW!” Concerned Citizens of Illinois wrote. “The bill strips away all local control over housing. Every local official has a duty to formally oppose it. Any who refuse to officially pass a resolution are complicit with the Democrats. Hinsdale, DuPage County, and every suburb: Pass a resolution now!”