CHICAGO (WLS) — Residents of a Chicago apartment building, which gained notoriety following a federal raid, claim they are now being evicted amidst deplorable living conditions.
On Tuesday morning, tenants at 7500 S. South Shore Drive were taken aback when they saw a crew boarding up parts of the building.
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The residents expressed shock upon discovering eviction notices posted right before Thanksgiving, adding to their distress.
“It’s unfair. We’ve done nothing to warrant this treatment,” said Travaris Ivy, a resident, expressing the tenants’ collective sentiment. “We don’t deserve this. It’s just not right.”
Despite efforts to organize and form a tenants’ union, the building remains without essential services like heat, electricity, and elevator access, and residents have received no assistance in finding alternative housing.
Recently, someone shared images depicting the dire state of the building’s interior.
“I have never been through anything like this in my life. I’m a good tenant. I work; this is bad,” Samantha Stamps said.
“There are elders in the building. There are disabled people in the building. There are people in wheelchairs in the building. How are they going to move if the elevators don’t work?” said Infiniti Gant, with Southside Together.
The building got international attention after an immigration raid by Customs and Border Protection agents Sept. 30.
The Trump administration released a highly produced video of the raid, and claims agents were going after alleged criminals inside in the building.
“Because of the ICE raid, there is literally garbage all in these empty apartments. If you all was in there you could smell the trash that left in there vacant apartments,” Ivy said.
“What happened at that building was abominable. I talked about it many, many times. So the tenants of that building are deserving of attention for the concerns that they have,” Gov. JB Pritzker said.
Organizers said they are trying to get tenant information to the mayor’s office to help expedite placements for tenants.
“My administration is working overtime with the organizers of these tenants to ensure that they have a place of comfort and a place where they can afford and feel good about,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said.
Two weeks ago a judge appointed a receiver for the building after financial problems with the owner.
ABC7 Chicago has attempted to get information about plans for the building and tenants from the receiver, but has not gotten any response.
Whatever help may be coming for the people still living here, the tenants will be moving, as temperatures are dropping.
