URBANA, Ill. (Chambana Today) — Champaign-Urbana renters grappling with rising housing costs and worsening living conditions are expected to pack the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center on Saturday for an affordable-housing town hall hosted by the Lift the Ban coalition.

The event, set for 1 p.m. on Nov. 22, will give residents a chance to describe how Illinois’ housing crisis is affecting their daily lives. Organizers say they anticipate a turnout even larger than the emotional, standing-room-only crowd of 50 to 60 people who attended a similar forum in Bloomington in September.

Renters across the region have reported a range of challenges—from black mold and leaking ceilings to steep rent hikes imposed by large corporate landlords. “Everyone in the state is impacted by this housing crisis,” said Rebekah Mangels, the Champaign-Urbana coordinator for Lift the Ban. “Renters are subject to landlords, especially big corporations. They have a lot of power, a lot of money, and are able to raise rent rates as much as they want. In essence, landlords aren’t regulated.”

Lift the Ban, a statewide coalition of community groups, nonprofits, unions, elected officials, and residents, is gathering testimony from renters to present to lawmakers in Springfield. The group is pushing for legislation to repeal the state’s 1997 Rent Control Preemption Act and restore the ability of municipalities to enact rent control measures.

Saturday’s town hall will be held at the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center, 202 S. Broadway Ave. For more information on Lift the Ban and its statewide housing advocacy efforts, visit LTBcoalition.org.