Tenants of a dilapidated South Shore apartment building at the center of an immigration raid that drew national attention now have until Dec. 12 to relocate, despite an emergency motion seeking more time.
The building, located at 7500 S. South Shore Dr., was thrust into the national spotlight in September when federal immigration agents raided it in the middle of the night. Since then, the state of the building has remained in the local spotlight as tenants shared details of non-working electric, heating issues, and problems with the elevator.
Cook County Judge Debra Ann Seaton also noted testimony from city inspectors about the conditions of the building, a reason she cited for denying the tenants’ union’s push for more time. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office also requested more time for the tenants, as well as more financial support.
“Knowing the conditions of this building, I cannot grant additional time,” Seaton said in court Monday. Seaton also denied the request for additional relocation money.
The building’s owner is involved in ongoing litigation with the city over code violations. NBC Chicago has attempted to reach the owner but has not made contact with them.
Seaton called the state of the building “a dire hazard to residents inside.”
Darren Hightower is a current tenant. He agrees it’s not an ideal place to be.
“We know we can’t stay here past Friday. That’s a done deal. It’s unsafe in here we know that,” he said during a press conference Monday.
Hightower’s concern is where he’s going to go next and if he has enough time to make arrangements.
The building is under a court receiver who is helping tenants relocate. Hightower said he has nothing against the receiver, Friedman Communities.
“They have done more than the last management company has done,” he said.
But the resources to relocate are not enough, according to him and other tenants who spoke Monday. They’ve been offered relocation assistance of up to $5,000 and resources for other management companies.
“I’ve been calling these numbers. I’ve been reaching out,” Hightower said.
“They’re handing us a piece of paper with phone numbers on it,” said tenant Raymond Corona.
Corona plans to stay with family come Dec. 12, but some tenants, like Larry Ashley, aren’t sure.
“You can give me $10,000, if I ain’t got nowhere to go, what am I going to do? Eat the money?” Ashely said.
At least 12 tenants have accepted relocation offers, according to the judge on Monday. Some have moved out on their own and others are still weighing their options.
“At this point the union is about protecting everyone in the building to make sure no one will be homeless,” said organizer Infiniti Gant with Southside Together.
The judge in court pushed back against claims tenants were not involved in this process, and said the court’s judgement Monday was about safety.
“This court is not making anyone homeless. This court would never do that,” Seaton said.
Johnson’s office told NBC Chicago that the mayor does not dispute any of the city’s findings about the deplorable conditions of the building.
“The mayor has not been presented with a comprehensive plan to re-house the tenants by the deadline provided by the court,” a spokesperson for the mayor’s office said.
A status hearing is scheduled for Dec. 19. The vacate date for tenants remains Dec. 12.
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