Inside Chateau: Residents Face Homelessness, Rent Could Double

Residents at Chateau Hotel may be forced out this week after being served 30-day lease termination notices in late January, according to the Lakeview Action Coalition.

The organization is planning a protest Thursday night in front of the hotel to demand answers, a move they’ve pulled with Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) in the past regarding the hotel to no avail.

This time they’re calling on Ald. James Cappleman (46th) to say what might happen to residents if they start receiving eviction court summons, something LAC says could happen by March 2.

And although Cappleman said each resident would be interviewed by the Department of Family Support Services to help them transition to another home, WBEZ-FM reveals residents like Tiffany Myers has no clue where she’ll go once she’s evicted.

The most expensive rent at the single room occupancy hotel is $575 a month, but Cappleman says the new owner told him he’ll raise it to between $800 and $900 a month, DNAinfo Chicago writes. Plans for the gut-rehab of the building include adding a kitchen to each unit and upgrading the electrical wiring.

Some have speculated BJB Properties is the new owner, but public records show a trust, not the person or company, behind the acquisition. Cappleman also told DNAinfo he entered an agreement with the new owner to keep the identity a secret.

With more than 100 building code violations at Chateau Hotel like mice and bedbugs, Cappleman said at the most recent court hearing it was much worst than he imagined. The new owners, however, are still attempting to comply with the court.

The next court date regarding Chateau Hotel is Tuesday afternoon.