Richard Magnone – Page 9 – Chicago Evictions

May Day: Time to ban “landlords”?

May 1, 2020 by Richard Magnone

It’s Time to Change Our Terminology

You know the old trope. Nell cries “But I can’t pay the rent!” while Snidely Whiplash demands “You must pay the rent!” just before Dudley Do Right sweeps in saying “I’ll pay the rent!” and saves the day. Snidely Whiplash, defeated says “Curses, foiled again!” Here’s an important question. Why does Snidely feel defeated? He got his rent. It makes no sense. Today on May Day, tenants in Chicago, New York and elsewhere, egged on by “progressive” lawmakers and intolerant tenants’ rights groups who abhor property rights are making the case for a rent strike because, you know, landlords are evil.

Did Chicago miss an opportunity with the Housing Solidarity Pledge?

April 29, 2020 by Richard Magnone

Anything New Here?

I watched the whole press conference. Mayor Lightfoot announced the City’s Housing Solidarity Pledge. There were lots of heavy hitters making that pledge. There were big banks. Bank of America, BMO Harris, Fifth Third, PNC Bank, First Midwest Bank, US Bank, Wintrust and more (although I did note that ubiquitous Chase was not mentioned). There were well respected landlord and property advocates like the Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance, Chicagoland Apartment Association, and the Chicago Association of Realtors. There was even a tenant’s rights group in the form of the Lawyer’s Committee for Better Housing. But did anything really get done? And was a big opportunity for change missed?

Landlording in the Wake of Matt Martin’s Rent Deferral Ordinance

April 28, 2020 by Richard Magnone

How Can Chicago Landlords Show Grace?

On March 19, 2020, in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, Chicago’s Mayor, Lori Lightfoot, now famously called upon landlords to “give tenants some grace”. While many landlord’s went along with that sentiment and showed some grace, Chicago City Council Members Matt Martin

Gov. Pritzker’s Executive Order Squashes Evictions

April 24, 2020 by Richard Magnone

UPDATE: Order 30 has been extended to June 27, 2020. In addition to locking all of Illinois down for another month, yesterday, Governor Pritzker signed another executive order (number 2020-30) that affects all Illinois landlords and puts a stop to evictions for the time being. The order basically rips the guts out of any reasonable ability to enforce a lease and paves the way for tenants to stop paying rent. The original stay at home order issued by the governor had put a state-wide stop to the enforcement of residential evictions for the duration of the order. This order goes further.

Alderman Martin’s Rent Ordinance to be Introduced Tomorrow

April 23, 2020 by Richard Magnone

What should Chicago landlords do? As a result of the premature adjournment of the City Council meeting earlier this week, Alderman Matt Martin’s rent deferral ordinance was not introduced. We have received word that the ordinance will be introduced tomorrow (Friday, April 24, 2020) at the 1:00pm City Council meeting. It is further my understanding … Read more

Here’s what’s CRAZY about Alderman Martin’s Rent Ordinance

April 21, 2020 by Richard Magnone

Ordinance Fails to Account for Reality

As promised, here’s a deeper dive into 47th Ward Alderman Matt Martin’s Rent Deferment Ordinance. I have always believed that you learn a great deal about someone’s character by observing how they act when under duress. It’s easy to “do the right thing” when things are good. But what do you do when things get tough? As a practicing attorney, I’ve been heartened to see landlords

Ordinance Would Postpone Rent Payments

April 20, 2020 by Richard Magnone

Covid-19 Rent Relief at Landlord’s Expense Proposed

We have come into possession of an ordinance purported to be introduced to the Chicago City Council this week [UPDATE:that now appears to be introduced by Alderman Matt Martin] allowing Chicago tenants “affected by Covid-19” to stop paying rent for the duration of the Governor’s Stay at Home Order. The proposed ordinance, which can be found

Is Tom Dart serving summonses yet?

April 8, 2020 by Richard Magnone

Cook County Eviction Summonses Not Being Served

I must admit that I haven’t had occasion to file a new eviction in the last week, but it has come to my attention that the Cook County Sheriff may not be making routine service of summons at this time. To find out, I submitted a question to the Sheriff’s office and just received a response. It appears that

Breaking News: Covid-19 Guidance on Landlord’s Right of Access

April 1, 2020 by Richard Magnone

Coronavirus affects Illinois lease showings

UPDATE: Phase 3 Guidance is now in place. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity just released April 1, 2020 FAQ guidance with respect to essential services. Real Estate has been defined as an essential service under the Governor’s stay in place order. The Department issued guidance (this link has been updated after the State moved the file location) to clarify a number of questions the public has had. One item addressed in the FAQ provides instruction from the State on real estate showings – an important issue for landlords looking to turn over their units.

Cook County Circuit Court extends suspension of evictions

March 31, 2020 by Richard Magnone

UPDATE: Covid-19 Eviction Moratorium Extended

We knew we would be delayed. That delay is getting a bit longer. Yesterday, in a general court order, Chief Judge Tim Evans adjusted the response of the Circuit Court of Cook County by extending the stay of enforcement on eviction case. Originally, the Sheriff’s enforcement of eviction orders was shuttered until April 14, 2020. Under the new general order, the Sheriff has been placed on hold until