Residents and aldermen press North Chicago leaders over safety at public housing and Brookstone

Residents and several aldermen pressed North Chicago officials on Jan. 6 about safety and management at public housing properties including Kukla (also transcribed as “Coochla”) Towers and Thompson Manor and asked for follow‑up on Brookstone at Coles Park.

The concerns surfaced during the council’s public comment period and again in a later judiciary committee update on Brookstone. Speakers urged the city and the North Chicago Housing Authority to act after residents reported drug dealing, overdoses and threats inside those buildings.

The matter matters because residents described ongoing public‑safety risks inside city housing properties and aldermen said city officials need to coordinate with the housing authority and with state or federal partners when necessary.

During public comment, resident Deborah Richards said she felt mistreated in recent council business and called the situation a matter of principle. Charles January, a longtime North Chicago resident, said Kukla Towers “is not being run right” and argued that enough aldermen calling for change should trigger action…