SEE INSIDE: R. Kelly hasn't cleared bedroom from West Loop studio, inspectors say

Thursday, February 7, 2019
CHICAGO (WLS) -- City inspectors say singer R. Kelly has not complied with their order to clear what appear to be bedrooms in his near West Side studio space.

New photos taken Wednesday show what appears to be the bedroom area still intact. There is a hearing scheduled for Friday regarding code violations uncovered by city inspectors last month.

In January, Cook County judge ordered a clean-up of and new restrictions on R. Kelly's West Loop recording studio days after Chicago building inspectors entered the building and found code violations.

The judge ordered that recording at the studio/warehouse is restricted to between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the first floor.

The building cannot be used for residential living and debris, clothing and toiletries must also be cleaned up. City attorneys ad said they suspect people may be living here, even though the building is not zoned for that purpose.

I-TEAM: A look inside R. Kelly's West Loop studio

The judge also ordered that a corridor that could trap a firefighter during a fire must be sealed. The judge issued the order after seeing photos of inside the building.

In January, Chicago officials presented evidence of electrical, structural and safety issues inside the building, as well as of people having been living in the building.

Judge orders clean-up, new restrictions at R Kelly's West Loop recording studio


In response to the judge's order to restrict hours, R Kelly's attorney, Melvin Sims, argued that the creative process shouldn't be restricted to traditional business hours.

"When we were out there last week we did find bedrooms with bathrooms and toiletries and robes and it appeared that people were living at the property," said Kimberly Roberts, an attorney for the city of Chicago.

Last month, Sims described the inspection as "uneventful" and said it debunked previous concerns that someone may be living in the studio, which is not zoned for residential use.

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"There is no one that lives at that premises nor has anyone or is anyone living at the premises. No one lives there," Sims said on Wednesday.

The studio/warehouse at 219 N. Justine St. is rented by R Kelly and featured in the recent docuseries "Surviving R Kelly" that details decades of accusations of sexual misconduct and abuse against the singer.

The building is for sale and Kelly is facing eviction due to unpaid rent.

Roger Romanelli, executive director of the Fulton Market Association in the West Loop, said some of his members had not been happy with the tenant.

"Two years ago, we had concerns about weapons being carried around on public and tour buses taking up precious public parking," he said.

Romanelli said those issues have been addressed and hopes the city's attention on the building will be good for everyone in the area.

"They have to be safe they have follow the law and especially on this building we welcome the city's oversight," he said.

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