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ngela's apartment, a spacious two-bedroom unit in Washington Park's 6000 block of Michigan Avenue, was supposed to be a sanctuary during her battle with Stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer. Instead, it became a source of stress and financial burden. The couple had moved in November 2023, hoping for a peaceful environment as Angela underwent chemotherapy treatments.
However, their new home came with a foul odor that permeated the unit through seven heat vents, courtesy of raw sewage floating in the basement below. The smell was so overpowering that Angela had to air out her clothes outside before wearing them. Despite repeated complaints and work orders filed online, CKO Real Estate, the property management firm at the time, failed to address the issue.
The couple's financial woes deepened when they discovered their furnace configuration allowed all six units in the building to tap into their gas meter, resulting in exorbitant heating bills. Angela's husband had to come out of retirement and return to work as a substitute teacher in Chicago Public Schools to cover the costs. The couple paid thousands of dollars for gas bills, including $2,400 for March.
When CKO Real Estate closed due to financial problems, Halsted Taylor Realty took over management of the building. Angela's new property manager, Denny Wills, assured her that he would address the heating issue, but months went by with no resolution. Frustrated and exhausted, Angela decided to withhold her $1,575 monthly rent until the problem was fixed.
"I'm tired of these high gas bills," Angela said. "I just can't do it." She purchased four money orders totaling $1,575 from Western Union and kept them in a safe place, ready to pay when the issue is resolved. The couple's future looks uncertain as they navigate this stressful situation, with Angela's cancer in remission but her husband still supporting her through the ordeal.
Angela's text messages to Wills reveal a pattern of broken promises and lack of communication. Despite repeated assurances that the problem would be addressed, nothing was done until the Crusader intervened. Even then, Wills' response only addressed the March gas bill, leaving Angela concerned about the thousands of dollars she paid in previous months.
As Angela waits for resolution, she reflects on her experience: "Going through this and chemotherapy was so stressful. There were days when I just couldn't take it." Her story serves as a testament to the struggles faced by tenants in Chicago's rental market, where property management firms often prioritize profits over people's well-being.
