With just days left before several South Shore tenants are forced to leave their condemned apartments, Mayor Brandon Johnson has finally met with residents in a private meeting to hear their demands. The tenants, many of whom lived under unsafe and inhumane conditions under the management of CKO Real Estate, are now pushing for compensation and accountability as they prepare for displacement. The housing crisis, rooted in years of neglect and mismanagement, has left residents frustrated with city leadership and skeptical of meaningful change.

Tenants Face June Move-Out Deadlines

About 20 tenants living at 6952-6954 S. Paxton Avenue must vacate their units by June 25, following a city condemnation due to numerous violations. Another group had a June 18 deadline. These court-ordered moves are part of a broader effort by the city to shut down buildings that were mismanaged by CKO Real Estate. For affected tenants, the looming deadlines come with few assurances and limited compensation, adding to years of housing instability.

Mayor’s Meeting Finally Takes Place

After canceling a planned meeting on June 4, Mayor Johnson met privately with tenants on June 11 at Alderman Desmon Yancy’s office. Around 20 residents attended, organized by Southside Together, a local advocacy group. The meeting also included Chicago Department of Buildings Commissioner Marlene Hopkins, officials from the mayor’s office, and representatives from the Department of Buildings. The press was not allowed to attend.

Demands Center on Repairs, Compensation & Accountability

Tenants came prepared with a list of demands. They asked for building repairs, a moratorium on eviction notices, rent suspension, and financial compensation. Many had lived without heat, water or electricity during the winter and racked up high gas bills trying to stay warm with their ovens. They argue that compensation is necessary not only to help them recover but also to hold landlords accountable for serious neglect.

$2,500 Offer Fails to Meet Needs

So far, the city and landlords have agreed to pay $2,500 to each of the 20 tenants required to move out. Tenants say this payment is insufficient, especially for those who have lived in hazardous conditions since 2023. The compensation does not extend to others in buildings still facing violations. Many feel the city’s actions fall short of addressing long-term harm caused by CKO Real Estate’s mismanagement.

City Accused of Protecting Landlords

Residents say city officials, including Commissioner Hopkins, have defended landlords rather than penalizing them. Tenants accuse the city of prioritizing property owners’ financial interests over the well-being of tenants, especially as some owners struggle to refinance loans and avoid foreclosure. These accusations have deepened distrust between tenants and city leadership.

Illegal Operations & Ownership Questions Remain

Although CKO Real Estate claimed to have shut down in February following the discovery that principal Chikoo Patel allegedly stole $4 million, tenants continue to receive rent demands. Some notices have come from entities with names similar to companies previously tied to Patel. A new management firm, Halsted Taylor Realty, has instructed tenants to pay rent to Jackson Highlands LLC, a name resembling another Patel-linked entity.

Eviction Threats & Rent Strike Talk Grow

Despite the unsafe conditions, Halsted Taylor Realty is now threatening tenants with eviction over unpaid rent. Many residents had withheld payments to protest the violations in their buildings. Discussions of a rent strike and potential class-action lawsuit have started to gain traction. However, sources claim Mayor Johnson and Alderman Yancy do not support legal action against the landlords.

Crisis Overlaps With City’s Migrant Funding

Some tenants have criticized the city for allocating $640 million to support over 52,000 migrants since 2022, while predominantly Black neighborhoods like South Shore continue to suffer from disinvestment and neglect. Residents feel city services have been diverted away from their communities and are frustrated by the lack of support compared to other groups.