Illinois has become ground zero in America’s housing debate. Families feel squeezed by rising rents and mortgages, developers complain about endless delays and red tape, and policymakers face pressure from every side to “fix” the problem. At the heart of this struggle is a simple but profound question: why is it so difficult to build in Illinois compared to other states? And more importantly, what would it actually take to create real housing abundance?

That’s the conversation we tackle on this episode of The Real Finds Podcast, where I sit down with Josh Bandoch, Senior Policy Advisor at the Illinois Policy Institute and author of the upcoming book How to Get What You Want: Mastering the Art and Science of Persuasion. Josh brings a data-driven and candid perspective on housing policy, highlighting how Illinois falls far behind peers like North Carolina, Texas, and Florida when it comes to approving new units—and why Chicago in particular has become a case study in regulatory gridlock.

This is not just a policy chat. It’s a deep dive into how Illinois’ housing challenges intersect with real estate development, capital flows, and the future of our communities. We unpack the role of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Cut the Tape initiative and Governor J.B. Pritzker’s Missing Middle report, both of which signal that leaders are beginning to recognize the scale of the crisis. And we explore whether Illinois can follow the lead of cities like Minneapolis and Los Angeles, which have cut barriers and seen measurable progress.

📘 Check out Josh’s new book, How to Get What You Want, on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/How-Get-What-You-Want-ebook/dp/B0FDBGV22N

In this wide-ranging conversation, we cover:

- Why housing costs are straining families across Illinois and beyond.

- How Chicago’s zoning restrictions and permitting delays push development elsewhere.

- Why Illinois authorizes far fewer new housing units per capita than states like North Carolina, Texas, and Florida. - What “housing abundance” actually means—and how to get there.

- The real barriers to adaptive reuse in Chicago’s office and retail corridors.

- What Brandon Johnson and J.B. Pritzker are doing to cut red tape.

- Why accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and reduced parking minimums could unlock thousands of units.

- Lessons from Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Montana on successful housing reform.

📌 Resources & Links: Josh’s book: https://www.amazon.com/How-Get-What-You-Want-ebook/dp/B0FDBGV22N

Hardcover listing: https://www.amazon.com/How-Get-What-You-Want/dp/1637748302

Author website: https://www.joshuabandoch.com/

Publisher author page: https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Joshua-Bandoch/244700930 I

llinois Policy Institute: https://www.illinoispolicy.org/

Learn more about Gordon’s Chicago Commercial Brokerage Team