With Extreme Heat Warning in effect for Cook County, temperature rising Autumn Ridge Apartments in Park Forest without AC
Share this @internewscast.com

PARK FOREST, Ill. (WLS) — Heading into a heat wave, one suburban building is now dealing with no air conditioning.

The building has had issues with heating and air for months.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Residents said they’re paying over $1,600 a month in rent. In south suburban Park Forest, frustration is rising, along with the mercury.

“I’ve reached out to numerous people, but it feels like no one is listening to our concerns. We’re just ordinary people not asking for much,” said Celina Lawson, a resident of Autumn Ridge Apartments.

Residents say the air conditioning in multiple buildings hasn’t been working all season.

“They claim it’s a repair issue, but when the heat first hit, they told us to wait until June 1st. June 1st has come and gone, and still nothing,” shared resident Doreal Veal.

With the temperature in the 80s, in many of the units, fans can only provide so much relief.

“My wife and I are confined to one room with three fans blowing on us. If we want to move to another room, we have to carry all three fans along,” explained resident Ronald Golston Jr.

But fans won’t cut it, with the dangerous heat on the way.

Park Forest Trustee Randall White says there’s only much the village can do.

“The more you push on them, the more they kind of back up, and we don’t want to have these families displaced, but we’re doing everything that we can,” White said. “The management office has air, but the residents, seniors, our families, our babies, our children, they don’t.”

Lawson said all winter her apartment didn’t have heat.

“I’m a working single mom. Can you imagine? I don’t have heat. I don’t have air,” Lawson said.

Messages left for the management company were not returned. The village has set up a cooling center at the Park Forest Police Department and First Baptist Church of Park Forest, where they’re asking people to donate fans.

An Extreme Heat Warning is in effect for Cook County until midnight Tuesday.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Raging debate around use of license plate readers, Flock cameras: Are they advancing safety or violating privacy?

Controversy Erupts: Do License Plate Readers and Flock Cameras Enhance Safety or Threaten Privacy?

If you’re a car owner and driver in Illinois, it’s highly likely…
‘Fix the audio!’ DSA debate turns into online trainwreck as broken livestream sparks viewer revolt

Technical Glitch Derails DSA Debate, Frustrated Viewers Voice Outrage Over Poor Livestream

A highly anticipated mayoral debate in Los Angeles, organized by the Housing…
Family sues La Mirada senior living facility after Jonathan Michael Alvarado charged with rape of CA Alzheimer's patient

Family Files Lawsuit Against La Mirada Senior Living Facility Following Rape Charge Involving Alzheimer’s Patient

A man, aged 39, has been taken into custody and faces charges…
Congress launches probe into California hospice fraud

Congress Initiates Investigation into Alleged Hospice Fraud in California

California finds itself under scrutiny as a powerful congressional committee has initiated…
DeSantis doesn’t rule out a 2028 presidential run: ‘We’ll see’ 

DeSantis Hints at Potential 2028 Presidential Bid: “We’ll See

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently hinted at the possibility of another bid…
EU blocks US vote to define gender as biological men and women at UN women’s forum

EU Opposes US Proposal to Define Gender Based on Biological Sex at UN Women’s Forum

In early March, the United States found itself isolated at the United…
Russia's largest oil port crippled in huge Ukrainian drone attack

Ukrainian Drone Strike Significantly Disrupts Operations at Russia’s Major Oil Port

A devastating air assault by Ukrainian drones has severely impacted Russia’s largest…
1 in 5 TSA agents call out at Long Beach Airport amid staffing crisis

Amid Staffing Challenges, 20% of TSA Agents Absent at Long Beach Airport

Over the weekend, Southern California faced a significant staffing crisis in the…
Downtown LA mass stabbing at Zaya sparked by fight over bill

Shocking Downtown LA Stabbing: Bill Dispute Escalates into Violence at Zaya

A dispute over who should cover the brunch bill led to a…
Confessed hitman in Jared Bridegan murder-for-hire case gets motion approved to withdraw guilty plea

Jared Bridegan Case: Alleged Hitman Maintains Innocence in Latest Court Appearance

Henry Tenon, implicated in a contract killing related to the death of…
Shanann Watts' father says family faced years of 'evil' online hate after Chris Watts murders

Shanann Watts’ Father Speaks Out: Battling Years of Online Hate Following Chris Watts Tragedy

Although Chris Watts’ guilty plea in 2018 brought an official end to…
Shocking footage shows aftermath of knife rampage at Zaya restaurant in downtown Los Angeles

Stunning Video Captures Chaos After Knife Attack at Zaya Restaurant in Downtown LA

A startling video captures the chaotic scene following a mass stabbing at…