A Lake County judge is closely monitoring the safety and outside security of the Lakeside Towers apartments after the city of Waukegan sued the owner and property manager last month because of increasing complaints to the city’s police and fire departments from residents.
The city filed a five-count complaint and a separate request for a receiver to oversee the property against building owner Apex Waukegan IL, Affordable Management and others Aug. 26 in Lake County Court in Waukegan after negotiations for remediation failed.
In its complaint and request for a receiver, the city alleges the Waukegan fire department was called to deal with people stranded in an elevator in the 14-story, 150-unit building on Aug. 22, according to court filings.
While the fire department was rescuing the people stuck between floors in the elevator, the Waukegan police department arrived at the building to deal with a fight on the premises, according to the court filings.
Though the city is seeking a receiver to manage and maintain the property, Stewart Weiss, an attorney for the city, said Thursday Lake County Judge Daniel Jasica is requiring weekly court appearances to oversee property conditions.
“The judge wants weekly reports to the court to monitor the situation,” Weiss said. “He is very concerned about the safety and security of the residents, especially because of the violence the Waukegan police department has described.”
Police responded to a multiple-victim shooting at Lakeside Towers on Aug. 12, according to the court filings.
Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor said at Tuesday’s City Council meeting this is the first time the city has taken a landlord to court, but it may not be the last if other property owners do not provide residents a safe and secure home which meets the city’s standards.
“If you are not willing to be a good landlord in this city, then you can expect we will be nonstop going after you until you respect the residents of this city the way they deserve to be respected,” she said.
Located at the northwest corner of Genesee and Julian streets, across from the Waukegan Post Office, Taylor said problems at Lakeside Towers have been ongoing for about 20 years. She has tried to work with the owner since she took office in May of last year, but said promises were not kept.
“Unfortunately, despite repeated assurances from Apex, fines (against them), their plan to meet code violations and address life safety concerns, the conditions of the property have just continued to deteriorate,” she said.
Though Weiss said the city is poised to ask the court for a receiver to take control of the building from Apex and Affordable Management, he is waiting to see what transpires under judicial supervision.
Outside contractors are coming to the property to repair the nonworking elevator so two will again be functioning to transport residents to their apartments. Weiss said private security is in place.
“The call volume to the Waukegan police department has decreased,” Weiss said. “On-site security is controlling who gets into the building. Anyone over 13 must have an ID.”
Weiss said the city is keeping the leash short as lawyers monitor the situation along with the judge each week. He is poised to act swiftly
“If anything moves backward, I am not going to hesitate to move for the appointment of a receiver.” he said. “The people who are (living there) are in a very desperate living situation. This is what the city is trying to address.”
The Waukegan lawsuit is not the only one Apex is facing in the Chicago area. Weiss said the city of Chicago is taking the company to court over a property it owns at 4624 South Ellis Ave. there. The lender of a property in Kankakee is also seeking a receivership.
Attempts to reach Joshua Kahane, the attorney for Apex and Integra, were unsuccessful.
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September 27, 2022 at 05:44PM
