CHICAGO (WLS) — Fresh pleas have emerged for assistance to support families residing in a distressed apartment complex on Chicago’s South Side.
The property, located at the intersection of 75th and South Shore, has been plagued with financial woes for some time. It garnered national attention following a dawn raid by Border Patrol agents earlier this year.
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According to ABC7, 36 residents continue to inhabit the building. Reports indicate that many are enduring severe living conditions, including a lack of heating, electricity, standing water, and structural damage such as broken elevators and damaged walls and ceilings.
“This is a call for help. It’s not just me; it’s a community of us living here. Many remain in this building, and the issues here are unrelated to the ICE incident. The building’s condition has been declining for over a year,” stated resident Darren Hightower.
On Monday, tenants gathered outside, urging authorities to address the necessary repairs and provide relocation stipends.
The recent demands follow a federal raid in September under the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration initiative, “Midway Blitz.” A professionally edited video of the operation was released, and residents recounted to ABC7 experiences of separation and children being restrained during the raid.
“We stay on the fifth floor. We heard the helicopters. They came down. We heard the helicopters,” said tenant Margaret Nicholson.
The group of tenants have now formed a tenant union.
“It really got worse after ICE did their raid,” said tenant Mashawnda Price. “They have not fixed the lights in the hallway. It is dark, very dark. It’s scary. It’s dangerous.”
They told ABC7 that they have reached out to the mayor and governor’s offices for help.
“It started with ICE, and now, it needs to center on the tenants who are here, these tenants who are having to experience these horrible conditions,” said Infiniti Gant with Southside Together.
ABC7 reached out to the receivership now in control of the building. They say they have only taken over in the past week or so.
In the meantime, it is cold in this lakefront community and getting colder.
