City of Chicago publishes list of 'problem landlords'
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The City of Chicago released a list of 59 problem landlords at 45 properties across the city on Tuesday.
Arthur Minniefield lives in a building that used to be a gem in the West Garfield Park neighborhood.
"It was beautiful. Big, beautiful apartments," he said. "It's a shame because a beautiful building like this you're not going to find anymore."
The apartment building is one of two owned by the same landlord, who made the city's troubled landlords list. Those on the list were found liable for at least two building or housing violations, like failing to provide heat, hot water, or working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Landlords on the list are not eligible for city land, zoning changes, business licenses or building permits unrelated to those that would correct their violations. The mayor's office said the worst cases could go to court and some building owners could lose their properties.
"We want to work with these 45 properties and prevent tragedies from happening in these properties," Chicago Building Commissioner Felicia Davis said.
In Roseland, four children were killed in a fire in which their apartment had no working smoke detectors. There were several other building code violations as well.
In the months since that fire, the father of the youngest victim, Eri'ana Patton Smith, has urged City Hall to do something with problem landlords.
"It's not just a business," Eric Patton Smith said. "Some things are worth more than money."
The list names 59 owners at 45 properties across the city.
