Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Conditions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Heritage House resident tells Oak Park board of drugs, overdoses and mice; staff pledges follow-up
Summary
A Heritage House resident told the Village Board there are ongoing drug incidents, an overdose in the building, inadequate security and rodent infestations; village staff and the president acknowledged the issues and said staff has been responding and will continue follow-up.
A resident of Heritage House told the Oak Park Village Board during public comment that her building has deteriorated and is suffering drug activity, poor security and rodent problems.
"We have drugs in the building... We have people still OD in the building," Irma Baker said, describing multiple security incidents, people sleeping in hallways and mice on the first floor. Baker said she moved into the building in 2007 when it was in better condition and appealed to the board to address the situation for senior residents.
President Vicky Skamen thanked Baker for speaking and said she and staff have been in regular contact with the building; the president acknowledged the conditions "are not acceptable" and said staff has made multiple visits. Village staff and trustees later referenced ongoing efforts to respond to tenant complaints and monitor the property.
The meeting record does not include a detailed remedy or a public timeline for corrective action. Board members later returned to the subject during trustee reports and urged staff to continue intensive engagement; Manager's office staff have indicated follow-up will continue outside the meeting record.
The board moved on to other agenda items after the public comment period; no formal motion or vote specific to Heritage House was recorded on the meeting minutes provided.
