Judge Denies Extension for South Shore Residents Amid Urgent Eviction

BREAKING: A Cook County judge has just upheld a December 12 move-out deadline for residents of a Chicago apartment building raided by federal immigration agents, leaving many scrambling for housing with just days to go. During an emergency Zoom hearing, Judge Debra Ann Seaton denied requests for more time and resources, asserting the building’s conditions are uninhabitable due to heating failures and safety hazards.

Residents expressed outrage following the ruling, with many feeling abandoned by the court and the property management firm, Friedman Communities. “It seems like this is being made into a political issue; it should be a safety issue for the tenants,” Seaton remarked, defending the urgency of the eviction.

The 7500 South Shore Tenant Union held a press conference shortly after the hearing, revealing the paltry relocation support offered by Friedman. “Friedman is offering $2,500 up front and another $2,500 after you hand over the keys,” said tenant Raymond Corona, who has lived in the building for two years. He criticized the move as inadequate, stating, “They’re just handing us a paper to find other apartments, but those numbers are disconnected.”

Another tenant, Larry Ashley, claimed he was offered only $1,500. “They said I had to be out by Friday; it was up to me to find somewhere to go with $1,500 in my pocket,” Ashley lamented. “What good is the money if I have nowhere to go?”

Tenant organizers have also disputed the judge’s assertion that residents have had sufficient time to find new homes. “People found out about this vacate date on November 26,” stated Infiniti Gant, an organizer with Southside Together. Residents have raised concerns about the lack of communication and support from Friedman, with many feeling unheard during the proceedings.

In court, Jared Friedman, co-CEO of Friedman Real Estate, claimed that 12 residents have accepted the relocation offer. He assured the court that the building would be secured on Friday, emphasizing a willingness to assist residents in retrieving their belongings. However, residents have reported feeling rushed and unsupported in their search for new housing.

The situation has even drawn the attention of Mayor Brandon Johnson, who sent a letter to Friedman on November 4 requesting a postponement of the eviction date and additional relocation funds of $7,500 per household. Seaton dismissed this intervention as “undue influence,” emphasizing the need for immediate action due to the building’s hazardous conditions.

A spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office stated, “The Mayor’s request for an extension and additional financial resources for the tenants was made in an effort to prevent the tenants from becoming homeless in the middle of December.” They acknowledged the deplorable conditions but noted that a comprehensive relocation plan had yet to be presented.

As the December 12 deadline looms, many residents are faced with the grim reality of finding housing over a weekend. Tenant Darren Hightower expressed frustration after a meeting with Friedman was abruptly canceled. “I took a day off work for that meeting and now have to take more days off,” he said, worried about how this will affect rental applications.

For residents like Raymond Corona, the situation feels unjust. “I am being forced out of my home because of a series of choices that I did not make,” he said, recalling the distress calls made prior to the federal raid on September 30. “We did not call [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] to raid this building, and yet we have to deal with those consequences.”

With the clock ticking down to the deadline, the urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. The community is now rallying for immediate relief and support as they face the prospect of homelessness this December.