Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Ald. Roy Williams is renewing an attempt to pass a landlord registration ordinance in the city of Springfield.

He’s tried it before but said Tuesday he is upset it never got anywhere. “I call it a stall game,” he said, “and it makes them mad, but I’ll just say we haven’t produced as a council, and back then, people were here, saying they had a problem with their housing. So I would like for you to know that I’m submitting an ordinance, and you will be hearing from folks from here until we go through the process.”

For most of the rest of Tuesday’s meeting, a parade of public commenters shared their opinions and stories about rental houses and apartment complexes alike.

“When buildings fall into disrepair, it doesn’t just harm the tenants; it affects the entire community,” said one.

“Look at cities like Milwaukee, which has everything from zero percent loan program to rent abatement,” said another.