Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing And Code Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City presses Brookstone owner over fire-system failures, pursues fines and possible management change
Summary
City staff reported fire-safety, alarm and landlord-licensing violations at Brookstone at Coles Park and said adjudication and fines are underway; officials said they may pursue the project's surety or a new manager if the owner fails to fix remaining work.
City staff told the North Chicago judiciary committee on Monday that Brookstone at Coles Park remains out of compliance on multiple life‑safety and code issues and that the city is pursuing adjudication, fines and possible use of the project's surety to finish outstanding work.
Chief of Staff Jackson gave the update and said engineers and inspectors are compiling an updated punch list and that some landscaping and minor work is scheduled this month while pavement patching is expected in May. Jackson said Brookstone’s owner has a new attorney and that private weekend security coverage has been “sporadic,” and that cameras promised for common areas have not been fully installed.
The city reported more serious concerns on systems that affect resident safety. Taylor, a city staff inspector, said inspections found portions of the building fire‑alarm system not operable, valves in an off position, missing alarm paperwork and problems with water‑heater combustion vents. Taylor said 58 units need reinspections from last year’s compliance review and an outstanding elevator inspection fee of $400 remains unpaid. Fines for landlord‑licensing violations were listed at about $28,000, and staff said Brookstone faces adjudication dates for code violations and public‑safety matters in April and May.
Officials told the committee the city remains in contact with state and county housing authorities and the U.S. representative’s office because federal funds were used on the project. Jackson said the city had asked the Illinois Department of Housing (IDA) and the Lake County Housing Authority to push the owner to correct problems and to consider replacing the manager if the owner does not act. Jackson said Brookstone had proposed reducing its punch list to $250,000, but the city believes remaining work exceeds $3 million and that the project has a roughly $7 million surety bond; staff said they will seek to hold the surety or require the surety company to hire contractors to complete the work.
Aldermen pressed staff on enforcement: Alderman January called the list of fire‑safety deficiencies “life‑endangering” and asked what the city could do immediately to accelerate corrections. Staff answered that notices of violation are being prepared and that the city is escalating the matter with the Lake County and state housing authorities and the owner’s counsel. Staff said some fines are in abeyance and that the city is working with adjudication to collect. Jackson said the city is exploring replacing Benoit (the management company) if they do not rectify the problems.
The update also urged continued police and code enforcement attention at other multifamily complexes, including Regency on Rankin and Coocula (Cupola) Towers, where residents and care providers reported difficulties reaching staff or 911 calls failing to connect in some building areas.
City staff emphasized they were pursuing several tracks in parallel: ongoing inspections and notices; adjudication and fines; agreements with county/state housing authorities; and, if needed, use of the surety or legal remedies to complete punch‑list items. The committee did not take a final vote but directed staff to continue enforcement and to report back to the council and the judiciary committee.
Ending: Staff scheduled followup inspections and adjudication hearings and said it would return to the council with outcomes and any recommended use of the surety or changes in management if the owner fails to act.
