Jane Addams Senior Caucus

05/08/2026

Today we are celebrating the life of one of our members, Mr. Daryl. Originally skeptical of the work of the tenant association, his curiosity kept him asking questions. After forming a nice friendship and relationship of trust with one of our organizers he began attending meetings, working with our Social Worker he was finally able to receive home care services and became an official dues paying member. Although he was fighting for his health, he still found a way to stand up for himself and his neighbors. He will truly be missed. Rest in Power Mr. Daryl.

05/01/2026

Ms. F isn't leaving.

Why not?

Her landlord exposed her and her neighbors to asbestos, requiring everyone to temporarily relocate. After first promising to test asbestos air concentration in the units, they are now refusing.

The Illinois EPA identifies the risks of asbestos as "Major health effects- include lung cancer, mesothelioma (a rare cancer of the lining of the lungs and abdomen), and asbestosis (a long-term, progressive lung disease)." Noting that, "The greater and longer the exposure, the higher the chance of harmful health effects. Symptoms of asbestos-related illness can take many years to appear, and these conditions can be difficult to diagnose."

This is why air quality testing is CRITICAL. Residents could become symptomatic or ill years after this exposure and without the necessary documentation they will have less tools for diagnosis and holding the proper people accountable.

This accountability is exactly why the landlord, Essence is avoiding this demand. They believe that relocation and basic cleaning is enough. We demand that they take responsibility for why this occurred, and for the potential long term health impacts on their tenants

However, Ms. F can not wait forever. We are currently looking to raise $1,000 for this test to be done.

Click here to donate: https://donorbox.org/jane-addams-senior-caucus-donation

05/01/2026

🚨 Tenants Deserve Safety, Not Silence 🚨
On April 3rd, residents delivered a clear list of demands to management — after ongoing issues were ignored. These aren’t optional. They’re necessary.
Before ANY relocation for asbestos exposure, we demand:
• Air quality testing BEFORE residents leave
• A clear, written relocation plan — reviewed with tenants
• Transparent test dates + shared results for ALL units
• Answers on what caused the exposure
• Clarity on when (and if) we can return
• Access to mail + packages
• Compensation for damaged or stolen belongings
• Safe, accessible relocation near transit + schools (or travel support)
• The right to bring support animals
• 24/7 security for our homes + belongings
• Mold remediation included in ALL rehab plans
• A relocation agreement signed by residents BEFORE anything begins
💥 We will not move without protections. We will not accept uncertainty.

04/30/2026

From Waukegan, to Aurora, to Pullman, developers promised big money rehabs, only for tenants to experience unreliable hot water, asbestos exposure, sudden displacement, and loss of routine maintenance, garbage collection, pest control, and security.

In January, Standard Communities asked for a consent decree to end the building court case but rejected the right of the tenants to negotiate it. Through March 25th, City attorney (soon judge) Steve Mackenzie and Commissioner Hopkins told tenants they stood with them. But in Court just days later they flipped, trying to push a deal through that tenants never had a chance to negotiate.

For months, tenants asked only to protect the basic conditions their neighbors in recently sold buildings have been denied. In court this week the City, HUD, Freddie Mac, and Standard replied that they were inexplicably blocking the rehab, and "getting an inch and asking for a mile".

The truth is tenants are the only ones who will endure whatever comes next. They will stay organized and Jane Addams Senior Caucus will stand behind them.

Read the full article from Block Club Chicago here: https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/04/24/sale-of-troubled-kenwood-apartment-complex-could-happen-soon/

04/28/2026

Building Commissioner Hopkins and city attorney (now judge) Steve Mckenzie lied to tenants at Ellis Lakeview. After promising to oppose a deal that bypassed the Tenant Association, they completely flipped their position in court.

Why did they lie? A company called Standard Communities is trying to buy Ellis Lakeview without any signed agreement on basic needs: routine maintenance, trash collection, and emergency relocation plans. In fact, they threatened to walk if they had to, so the City caved at the last minute. They decided it was in the ""best interest"" of tenants for the sale and ""rehab"" to go ahead.

But recent history proves we can't just trust ""reputable"" buyers to deliver:
❌ Waukegan: Tenants lost hot water and security after a similar sale. bit.ly/4emkq2X
❌ Aurora: Tenants faced asbestos exposure and two-month delays on basic repairs. bit.ly/fox-shore-apts-epa
❌ Pullman, Chicago: Tenants were relocated into units without functioning showers.

The Bottom Line:
The Tenant Association isn't ""blocking"" progress—they are demanding accountability. Ellis Lakeview tenants deserve a buyer who puts their safety in writing. We are calling on the City to stop the ""trust us"" narrative and start protecting the people who actually live in these buildings.

Lamont J. Robinson Chicago Mayor's Office Chicago Department of Buildings Steven Q. McKenzie for Cook County Judge

04/19/2026

Building Commissioner Hopkins and city attorney (now judge) Steve Mckenzie lied to tenants at Ellis Lakeview. After promising to oppose a deal that shut out the Tenant Association, they completely flip flopped in Court.

Why did they lie? A landlord called Standard Communities is trying to buy Ellis Lakeview while refusing any agreement on basic needs: Routine maintenance, trash collection, and emergency relocation plans. In fact, they threatened to walk if they had to. So the City caved at the last minute, disguising their cowardice in the ""best interests"" of tenants.

Tenants know their own best interests. They demand a signed guarantee of basic living standards:

✅ Routine maintenance
✅ Reliable trash pickup
✅ A signed plan for emergency relocation

Lamont J. Robinson, Chicago Mayor's Office, Chicago Department of Buildings, Steven Q. McKenzie for Cook County Judge

04/18/2026

Building Commissioner Hopkins and city attorney (now judge) Steve Mckenzie LIED to tenants at Ellis Lakeview. After promising to oppose a deal that shut out the Tenant Association, they completely flip flopped in Court.

Because of their cowardice, tenants have to just hope that the new landlord will follow through on their promises. But hope is not a strategy, other landlords promising big rehabs have routinely failed on their promises:

❌ Waukegan: Tenants lost reliable hot water and onsite security after a similar sale. bit.ly/4emkq2X
❌ Aurora: Tenants faced asbestos exposure and two-month delays on basic repairs. bit.ly/fox-shore-apts-epa
❌ Pullman, Chicago: Tenants were relocated into units without functioning showers.

Tenants return to Court on April 22nd and will not allow a deal to ends the Code Enforcement Case without guaranteeing basic protections: routine maintenance, trash collection, and emergency relocation if the water, hear or elevators shut down.

Lamont J. Robinson, Chicago Mayor's Office Chicago Department of Buildings Steven Q. McKenzie for Cook County Judge

04/17/2026

Building Commissioner Hopkins and city attorney (now judge) Steve Mckenzie lied to tenants at Ellis Lakeview. After promising to oppose a deal that bypassed the Tenant Association, they completely flipped their position in court.

Why did they lie? A company called Standard Communities is trying to buy Ellis Lakeview without any signed agreement on basic needs: routine maintenance, trash collection, and emergency relocation plans. In fact, they threatened to walk if they had to, so the City caved at the last minute. They decided it was in the ""best interest"" of tenants for the sale and ""rehab"" to go ahead.

But recent history proves we can't just trust ""reputable"" buyers to deliver:
❌ Waukegan: Tenants lost hot water and security after a similar sale. bit.ly/4emkq2X
❌ Aurora: Tenants faced asbestos exposure and two-month delays on basic repairs. bit.ly/fox-shore-apts-epa
❌ Pullman, Chicago: Tenants were relocated into units without functioning showers.

The Bottom Line:
The Tenant Association isn't ""blocking"" progress—they are demanding accountability. Ellis Lakeview tenants deserve a buyer who puts their safety in writing. We are calling on the City to stop the ""trust us"" narrative and start protecting the people who actually live in these buildings.

, @

04/16/2026

We are not done fighting, whether in the hallway, or in the courtroom. Five years of litigation and tenant actions, and still no Consent Decree that meets tenants’ basic need for emergency temporary relocation.

Despite telling us in a March 25th meeting that she would oppose a Consent Decree without these terms, she did the exact opposite and supported it in Court less than a week later.

This relocation support is essential for elderly tenants and families facing critical issues such as loss of heat or broken elevators—both of which JASC successfully addressed in our buildings this past year.

Chicago Department of BuildingsChicago Mayor's Office@lamontjrobinson Stand with constituents, not developers.

"you have a great day" 👋

04/06/2026

Tenants to the City: Don’t throw us under the bus.

On 3/25, Ellis Lakeview & Indian Trails tenant leaders went to City Hall demanding action: restore relocation protections, finalize long-promised agreements, and stop sidelining tenants in decisions about their homes.

Ellis Lakeview tenants have fought for 5 years. Now the City is advancing a deal that could remove enforceable emergency relocation protections. That’s unacceptable.

Indian Trails tenants were promised an MoU guaranteeing relocation & safety standards. 4+ months later, no agreement all while residents are moved into unsafe units.

The City must:
• Restore protections at Ellis Lakeview
• Finalize & sign the Indian Trails MoU

Tenants deserve safety, dignity, and their earned seat at the table.

04/03/2026

🚨 Trump’s HUD is trying to kick immigrant families onto the streets—comment now to fight back ➡️ https://actionnetwork.org/letters/keep-families-together-26

HUD’s proposal would overturn decades of precedent & kick mixed immigration status families out of their housing - even though zero federal dollars are used to support undocumented family members!

This will lead to more homelessness & take millions of dollars OUT of federal housing assistance!
It’s costly, cruel & counterproductive.

Tell HUD NO by commenting today.

HUD’s new proposal is cruel, costly, and counterproductive. It would rip families apart and increase eviction & homelessness during a housing crisis. Join me in telling HUD Secretary Scott Turner to withdraw it.