Park Forest apartment building condemned after tenants report no heat

PARK FOREST, Ill. - Some residents of an apartment complex in Park Forest don’t have heat—and they say it’s not the first time they’ve dealt with serious problems.

What we know:

Officials with the Village of Park Forest have gone as far as to condemn one of the main buildings at the Autumn Ridge apartment complex, and said they are working to force the sale of the property to new owners.

The lack of heat in some units is just the latest chapter in the saga of ongoing issues at the complex.

Last summer, residents said they went weeks without air conditioning during extreme heat. FOX Chicago covered the story extensively.

Now, some tenants say they’re facing unsafe conditions again—this time in the middle of winter.

Under Illinois law, residential properties must provide adequate heat from October 1 through May 31, but some Autumn Ridge residents say they are dealing with unbearable temperatures in their own homes. 

What they're saying:

One resident at the apartment complex claims he hasn’t had heat all winter and believes his dog died as a result of the conditions.

"Received a call from the gentleman who lost his service pet, but this is just one of the many calls I'm getting this week," explained Randall White, a trustee for the Village of Park Forest. "It's one thing to go without air conditioning in the summer. You can almost deal with that, but in the wintertime, it's unbearable."

The tenant, who did not want to be identified, said the situation has forced dangerous workarounds.

"The only heat I've had is what I've tried to provide myself from the stove and buying heaters, but I can't even plug the heaters up because the electrical is so much of a fire hazard," the resident shared.

"They shouldn't have to live like this, in a complex that receives federal funding. This is supposed to be a place where it's affordable and in living conditions," added Tamara Young, a family member of the resident.

The Village of Park Forest confirmed it has received multiple complaints from tenants about the lack of heat.

Village officials said one of the complex’s main buildings was condemned last Friday after failing to provide heat. As a result, they said the property owner was ordered to move the affected residents from approximately 17 units into hotels.

The village's statement reads, in part:

"As of Friday afternoon, due to the Village’s pressure on the owner, the property owner has secured hotel rooms for all remaining residents in Building 4 and any other residents across their 22-building apartment and townhome complex without sufficient heat in their units until such time the repairs can be made.  Any resident with heat or any other issues is urged to contact the property management staff to secure these alternative temporary housing arrangements. 

"The Village staff and our first responders will continue to follow up on every complaint and call we receive to ensure that these residents know the options and resources that are available to them. Village leadership is continuing to closely monitor this situation and will hold the property owner accountable to ensure residents are treated safely, fairly, and with dignity."

The other side:

The apartment complex has not issued an official statement but confirmed to FOX Chicago it has been placing tenants without heat in hotels. 

What's next:

A village spokesperson said ongoing problems at the complex, dating back to last summer, have prompted efforts to force a sale to new owners. Officials said they are hopeful the sale will take place next month.