Chicago residents protest surprise eviction notice during freezing cold snap.
Travaris Ivy and dozens of other South Shore building residents were shocked when they received a note informing them that they must vacate the premises on or before December 12, despite temperatures plummeting below freezing. The residents are still reeling from a federal immigration raid on September 30.
"This is my community, and I should not be forced out, especially at a time like this where it's literally freezing outside," said Ivy during a news conference. Residents protested the move-out date and expressed frustration with the lack of support from property managers and elected officials.
A court order signed by Cook County Circuit Judge Debra Seaton on November 24 requested the emergency motion to set the move-out deadline, which was reportedly requested by Wells Fargo, now the building's owner. However, residents claim that they were not given sufficient notice or an opportunity to provide input.
The City of Chicago proposed December 12 as a possible move-out date but is now working with tenants to push it back. Mayor Brandon Johnson stated that his administration is "working overtime" to secure housing relocation for the affected families.
Tenants are demanding at least 60 days to vacate, $7,500 in relocation funds per resident, and help placing them in apartments nearby. They also want Friedman Communities, the property's receiver, to communicate with residents as a group.
Friedman Communities has not responded to requests for comment. The city's Law Department stated that it cannot file a motion on behalf of individual tenants but is working to find alternative avenues for relief.
Travaris Ivy and dozens of other South Shore building residents were shocked when they received a note informing them that they must vacate the premises on or before December 12, despite temperatures plummeting below freezing. The residents are still reeling from a federal immigration raid on September 30.
"This is my community, and I should not be forced out, especially at a time like this where it's literally freezing outside," said Ivy during a news conference. Residents protested the move-out date and expressed frustration with the lack of support from property managers and elected officials.
A court order signed by Cook County Circuit Judge Debra Seaton on November 24 requested the emergency motion to set the move-out deadline, which was reportedly requested by Wells Fargo, now the building's owner. However, residents claim that they were not given sufficient notice or an opportunity to provide input.
The City of Chicago proposed December 12 as a possible move-out date but is now working with tenants to push it back. Mayor Brandon Johnson stated that his administration is "working overtime" to secure housing relocation for the affected families.
Tenants are demanding at least 60 days to vacate, $7,500 in relocation funds per resident, and help placing them in apartments nearby. They also want Friedman Communities, the property's receiver, to communicate with residents as a group.
Friedman Communities has not responded to requests for comment. The city's Law Department stated that it cannot file a motion on behalf of individual tenants but is working to find alternative avenues for relief.
this is wild. People are being told to leave their homes in the middle of winter, it's just not right. Interesting how some property owners and companies think they can just evict people without considering their safety or well-being during such a harsh time 
. I hope the city's efforts to push back the move-out date are successful and that the tenants get the support they need 
. And what's with Wells Fargo just dropping this bombshell out of nowhere? 
like, can't they see how crazy that is?! my heart goes out to Travaris and all the others who are being thrown out on the streets when it's literally freezing outside. 
60 days is a decent amount of time but $7,500 is still super low considering the ppl have been living there for years 
how can they just ignore their requests like that? 
i wish the city would do more to help these ppl out, maybe find some alternative housing options or something 
It's like, hello! You need support, not a boot out the door! I feel so bad for those people who are already reeling from that immigration raid and now they're facing this. 60 days is way too short, they should get at least 3-4 months to figure out their next move. And $7,500 relocation fund per person? That's a good starting point! 
I wish those property managers would be more considerate of people's well-being. It's like, you're not just renting a place, you're building a life here! 
. I mean, who gets evicted during a polar vortex?! It's like, come on, Wells Fargo and the city need to get their acts together. The fact that residents didn't even get a chance to weigh in on the move-out date is straight-up whack 
. And now they're pushing for 60 days to vacate and some decent relocation funds? It's about time, if you ask me 
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. Mayor Johnson needs to step up his game and make sure everyone has a place to call home. This isn't just about one building or one family; it's about the community as a whole 
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. Like, what kind of people do this to their own community? The city needs to step in and help these families out, stat! I'm all for the tenants pushing back and demanding more support 
. They should get at least $10k relocation funds per person and a guaranteed spot in a nearby apartment complex. It's not too much to ask, considering they've already been through so much 
. hopefully, Wells Fargo's new ownership is more sympathetic to their situation, fingers crossed they're not just trying to collect on some fancy court order 
it aint right! i mean, wat about the ppl who got raided back in sept? didnt they deserve some kinda support or understanding? now they gotta deal w/ this move-out date & relocation funds too? thats just 1 big stress bomb 
. The city's all talk and no action, saying they're "working overtime" but that's just a PR stunt 
. These tenants are counting on the city for help, and it's about time someone held Friedman Communities accountable for their lack of communication 
. We need to get our priorities straight and make sure these families aren't left out in the cold 
. Tenants deserve so much better than 60 days' notice, $7,500 relocation funds, and a warm place to call home during the winter months 
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lets hope the mayor can come up w/ a better solution ASAP!
. Like, can't you just give them some time to figure stuff out? And $7,500 relocation funds per resident sounds like a decent offer... but 60 days seems kinda short? I feel bad for these families who already had to deal with the immigration raid and now they're getting the boot? Mayor Johnson should step up his game 