* Tenant Receives Visits From Drug Dealer

I never got a direct copy of this response email from Rogers Park Community Council, but a few others did. I didn't get my Chrismas Card from RPCC's Cary Steinbuck either come to think of it. I don't think she likes me? Anyhow, I'm sharing the forwarded email with all of you.

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Thank you for your email of concern about the 1528 W. Morse Senior Building. Rogers Park Community Council is very concerned about the security and well being of all people in Rogers Park - and especially those in the 1528 W. Morse building. I invite you to come to the building to see the quality of the work and meet the tenants.

Yes - there is a problem tenant currently in the building. I personally intervened with the senior and the police on an incident. I provided verbal and written testimony to CIG regarding this tenant who was receiving visits from a drug dealer and participating in criminal activity. This senior citizen is a confused man who is being used by unsavory people. Because of his state of mind, it appears that no amount of counseling will help him see the light and he must leave the building.

CIG was responsive to these reports and went through the legal requirements necessary for eviction. You know that this process is long and ensures that the tenant has his day in court. CIG Management has received court ordered possession of the property and was waiting for the Sheriff to enforce the order. Due to the weather and holiday season - evictions will not occur until January 3rd or when the temperature is under 32 degrees. Alderman Moore's office has offered to advocate with the Sheriff's office and once evictions can begin, we hope that this matter will be on the top of the list.

The building's locks all work. CIG has installed a Medico key system in which keys cannot be duplicated. The buzzer system works - and is a system that can track who buzzes in visitors. The security problem is likely due to tenants either giving their keys to friends or family members or buzzing in people without knowing who they are. This is a huge problem - and happens in affordable housing as well as in market rate condominium buildings. Please note, that many of the seniors have family members who help them and the resident may have given keys to a family member to assist them.

On December 14th, RPCC was advised by a tenant of the concerns of the neighbors and held a meeting with property owner and manager on December 19th - inviting all residents of the building. CIG expressed their concern also about the security of the building and will be investigating the installation of security cameras that can be wired into the cable services already available in the building.

As you know, affordable housing is difficult to find in our City - it's imperative that we work together to secure reasonable answers. On-site security is a terrific idea - and an expensive one. The cost would inevitably be passed on to the tenants-- most of whom are living on fixed incomes and who would be unable to handle additional rent costs. The newly forming tenants association discussed the idea of a tenant supervision of the property. RPCC staff has volunteered to assist, but more volunteers would be a terrific support. If you would like to come over and provide support for this initiative, please let me know and I will forward your name and number to the leaders.



Rogers Park Community Council cares about the residents in this building and our community. We have a full-time Senior Advocate on site and many of the residents visit us on a daily basis. Residents can always come to us for assistance and we work to bring concerns to the attention of building management.

I hope that this clarifies the situation in this building. Thank you again for your concern.

Cary Steinbuck
Executive Director
Rogers Park Community Council