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Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, like most organizations and people throughout the world, is taking the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic seriously. Because we want to ensure the health of staff and everyone we come in contact with, as well as do our part to help curb the spread of the coronavirus, we are taking the following steps:

• CCH’s offices are closed while the state of Illinois is under shelter-in-place orders. CCH staff is continuing to work and can be reached by email and phone.
• During this time, CCH is suspending all in-person outreach, including the Youth Futures mobile legal clinic. Our staff continues to meet with clients and grassroots leaders by phone and to hold regular leadership meetings by conference call and Zoom.
• Prior to reopening our office and restarting outreach, we will evaluate whether this period needs to be extended based on provided guidance.
• CCH can be reached by phone on its general office line, (312) 641-4140. For people with legal needs, the Law Project can be reached at 1 (800) 940-1119.
• Resources and notifications for homeless youth can be found on StreetLight Chicago, a free mobile app and website co-managed by CCH.

Advocacy

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is concerned about the impact of the pandemic on those experiencing homelessness. We are advocating for concrete steps to be taken to ensure they are able to both protect themselves from possible infection and get appropriate treatment if an infection occurs. Chicago and Illinois homeless service providers and outreach workers need adequate guidance and resources in order to do their work during this time. Moreover, policies need to be put in place that halt evictions and provide extra support to those that are precariously housed so homelessness does not increase as a result of this situation.

We will continue to both work with and push the city, county, and state to provide guidance to shelter providers and outreach workers, quickly adopt smart policies, and put in place additional resources to curb the spread of the virus and protect those most in need of protection.

Thank you,

Doug Schenkelberg

Executive Director

March marks the start of the 2020 Census and CCH is committed to supporting a fair and complete count among Illinoisans experiencing homelessness.

The census counts every single person living in the United States. Everyone counts no matter their housing status, income, age, race, or country of origin. The census happens once every 10 years, so it’s critical to get it right.

Whether you are permanently housed or living on the street, in a shelter, or doubled-up with family or friends, you should be counted!

What’s at stake

Counting every person matters because census data impacts access to important programs and resources in your community:

• Population counts are used to determine how $675 billion in federal funding is distributed.
• Without an accurate count, Illinois could lose funding for schools, hospitals, roads and important programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and Section 8 housing vouchers.

The census also determines how much representation you have in Congress:

• Undercounting leads to homeless individuals and families not being fairly represented in policy-making decisions.
• When you’re not counted, your community is denied a full voice.

How to get counted in 2020

The census runs from March 12 through July 31. When completing the census form, you’ll note where you are living on April 1.

Are you living in a house or apartment or staying doubled-up at the home of a friend or relative?

• Between March 12 and March 20, every home will receive a mailing from the U.S. Census Bureau with instructions on how to participate.
• You can complete the census online, over the phone, or by mail.
• Every person living in the house should be counted, including family and friends who are residing temporarily or couch surfing.
• Respond by April 30 to avoid a home visit from a census official.

Are you living in a shelter, on the street, or in a car?

• Census workers will visit service-based locations (shelters, soup kitchens) to record responses between March 30 and April 1.
• Non-sheltered outdoor locations such as encampments and underpasses will be counted on April 1.
• If you are living in a shelter or receive services in the community, talk to staff to confirm when their location will be counted to make sure you’re not missed.

You can still be counted if:

• You are living doubled-up and were not included on your household’s form for any reason
• You started staying at a shelter after April 1 and missed the visit from a census worker
• You are living on the street and a census worker did not find you on April 1

People experiencing homelessness who were not counted through the methods above can still complete a census form online or over the phone. Don’t have access to a computer or phone? Visit your local library and ask a staffer for assistance.

Help us make sure all Illinoisans are counted in the 2020 Census, no matter their housing status:

• Share the CCH Census 2020 fact sheet with your community and networks.
• Doing outreach? Share the CCH Census 2020 palm card.
• Or help get the word out by posting the CCH Census 2020 poster.
• Pledge to participate in the census.
• Check out the U.S. Census Bureau’s official 2020 Census page.

Questions about the census counting those who are homeless? Contact Gloria Davis, CCH’s Census 2020 Project Manager, or call her at (312) 641-4140.

– Erin Sindewald, Media 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CCH Legal Intern Ezra Lintner recently submitted the following letter to the editor to the Chicago Tribune, responding to its coverage. 

Legal staff from the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless were onsite February 10 when city of Chicago crews bulldozed the Tent City located near the Dan Ryan Expressway at Roosevelt Road and South DesPlaines.

The conditions that our homeless neighbors living near the Roosevelt exit experience are inhumane: They are living in a society that cannot (or will not) provide them adequate shelter, healthcare, and social services. As a result, they are forced to live in destitute conditions. No human being wants to live in the conditions that we have left our neighbors to – mud, trash pile up, and lack of shelter from the elements.

Cleaning an area inhabited by people in is necessary, as we believe the quotes from Tent City community members in your coverage show. In contrast, waiting a year to clean, and then bringing dozens of city workers and bulldozers to conduct such a cleaning is not necessary.

During our monitoring, we assisted homeless residents distressed that city crews were hauling off their tents and many of their possessions. We helped advocate for one man who had to insist that city crews not confiscate his tent with a bulldozer.

We were deeply disappointed that the Chicago Tribune covered the Monday morning “cleanup” by quoting just one resident who said he supported it. In the course of our time at the Tent City, we spoke with numerous other residents who told us they were scared about losing their tents and possessions in the sub-freezing winter weather. Moreover, we personally witnessed city workers berate residents who tried to salvage their things.

Instead of waiting a year to clean the area, the city should provide portable toilets and dumpsters to help residents keep the area clean.

Bulldozing was unnecessarily destructive, as are most of the Tent City cleanings we’ve monitored. We are saddened but not surprised that it took the presence of two attorneys, a legal intern, and a street organizer to prevent further mistreatment of some of our homeless neighbors by the city of Chicago.

On Wednesday, groups led by people living in poverty and pushing for bold solutions to tackle Chicago’s affordable housing crisis and the lack of investment in its neighborhoods, said that Mayor Lori Lightfoot neglected to take their views into account during a much-heralded Poverty Summit she held last week purportedly to address their needs.  

Pointing to Lightfoot’s four-part poverty plan unveiled at the summit, the groups called attention to the fact that the ideas that people experiencing poverty have been promoting for months were absent from the conversation. 

“The people who know what solutions will work to end poverty are those that have been living it every day,” said Colt Seidman, a leader with ONE Northside. “We have been trying to work with Mayor Lightfoot on concrete solutions since last May, but the mayor has neither embraced them nor responded to requests to reach a middle ground.”

Since the beginning of the mayor’s term, community groups and aldermen have been pushing for solutions to address poverty which ensure that those who can afford it, pay their fair share to tackle the city’s problems.  Mayor Lightfoot has ignored, watered down, or outright opposed many of these solutions. For instance, the Bring Chicago Home Coalition has an offer on the table that would give the mayor all the revenue that she is seeking from the Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT), but she has yet to agree to strike a deal with the coalition, despite supporting the coalition’s proposal during her campaign for mayor. Bring Chicago Home is working to raise the RETT on properties over $1 million to generate dedicated funds to address homelessness.

“Our mayor says she wants to end poverty in a generation and collaborate with community groups,” said Craig Nance, a grassroots leader with the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. “But the day before her poverty summit, she came out clearly against a compromise proposal that would both close a hole in the city’s budget and significantly reduce the number of Chicagoans experiencing homelessness. She claims it is too much money to spend on one issue. However, if the mayor truly wants bold solutions to poverty, it will require a deep investment in addressing homelessness, an extreme symptom of poverty. She should be jumping on board.” 

In addition, many groups have been working to reform the city’s TIF program to stop giving handouts to big developers and continuing to drive dollars into downtown development, an area that is clearly not blighted.  The Grassroots Collaborative wants to see downtown TIFs shut down and resources spent in neighborhoods where jobs that can lift people out of poverty are lacking. However, there is concern that the mayor’s proposed reforms would loosen restrictions on downtown spending and hand control over decisions about TIFs to a politically connected corporation.

“Ending poverty requires a significant commitment of resources, but when the mayor was asked about this at the summit, she brushed it aside and said it was just a matter of greater fiscal responsibility,” said Veronica Rodriguez of Brighton Park Neighborhood Council. “We strongly disagree. If we want to tackle big problems like the lack of affordable housing and the racial disparities in health in the city, we need progressive revenue solutions and we need to reclaim our property tax dollars in TIF districts for investment in schools and communities that need development.”

The Lift the Ban Coalition is advocating to abolish the state law that bans rent control, a measure that could greatly increase housing affordability in the city.  At a speech at the City Club of Chicago just prior to the summit, Lightfoot affirmed her opposition to this effort claiming it was not the right tool.

The Obama Community Benefits Agreements Coalition has been working for years with community members in the neighborhoods surrounding the Obama Presidential Center. After the coalition introduced a community vetted proposal, the mayor responded by introducing her own watered-down ordinance that ignores the grassroots solutions proposed by those most impacted by the new development.

Members of the community groups present were clear that they stand ready to work with the mayor on solutions to poverty.  But they also were clear that real inclusion of the voices of people living in poverty and paying attention to the solutions they propose were both necessary to getting the job done.

Groups in Attendance:

Brighton Park Neighborhood Council

Bring Chicago Home Coalition

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless

Chicago Democratic Socialists of America

Communities United

Grassroots Collaborative

Kenwood Oakland Community Organization

Lift the Ban Coalition

Obama Community Benefits Agreement Coalition 

ONE Northside

Southside Together Organizing for Power

United Working Families

 

By Niya K. Kelly, Director of State Legislative Policy, Equity and Transformation

Illinois residents who are homeless have the right to vote in upcoming local, state, and national elections.

If someone lives on the street, in shelters, or doubled-up in the homes of others,  they are considered homeless.

In Illinois, adults can vote on Election Day even if they are not yet registered to vote. Election Day polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Primary Election on Tuesday, March 17 will help decide which candidates appear on the ballot in the General Election on Tuesday, November 3.  This includes some countywide offices, state legislators, U.S. congressional representatives, and presidential nominees.

Illinois uses a closed primary system: Voters must declare party affiliation and will receive one political party’s ballot. The voter then chooses from candidates on their political party’s ballot.

Check online to see if you are already registered: https://ova.elections.il.gov/RegistrationLookup.aspx

You can register to vote on Election Day!

Any Illinois resident can register to vote on Election Day only at the precinct polling place assigned to his/her/their residential mailing address — that is, the address provided on one’s state I.D. or driver’s license.

You are required to bring two (2) forms of identification (ID), including one that shows proof of residence or a mailing address.

What are acceptable forms of ID?

Acceptable forms of ID include mail postmarked to the applicant; an Illinois driver’s license or state ID card; a municipal ID card (for example, the Chicago CityKey); an employee or student ID; Social Security card; birth certificate; credit card; valid U.S. passport; lease or rental contract.

As one form of ID, a homeless person can provide a letter from a drop-in center, shelter, or the person in whose home they are living doubled-up. The letter must confirm that the named person has permission to use their address for the purpose of registering to vote.

People experiencing homelessness can exercise their right to vote, as protected by state and federal laws, including the 2013 Illinois Bill of Rights for the Homeless Act.

To register to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen; at least 18 years old on or before the November 3 General Election; and you cannot claim the right to vote elsewhere.

If you are in pretrial detention and have not been convicted, you remain eligible to vote. But you cannot vote if you are currently incarcerated for a conviction. Learn more about voting in pre-detention.

In Illinois, if you have a driver’s license or state ID card, you can register online until Sunday, March 1 via the Illinois State Board of Elections website.

Key Dates

Can register online until Sunday, March 1, 2020

Early Voting: Monday, March 2 through Monday, March 16, 2020

“Grace Period” Voter Registration & Voting: Wednesday, February 19, 2020 through Election Day, Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Election Day Registration & Voting (Call local election office): Tuesday, March 17, 2020

When is ID needed and not needed to vote?

Identification is not necessary if the homeless voter has already registered to vote at the polling place; the signature s/he/they provides matches the one on file; and an election judge does not challenge the person’s right to vote.

But identification is necessary if the homeless voter faces these situations:

– S/he/they registered by mail and did not include the Illinois ID/driver’s license number or Social Security number.

– An election judge challenges the person’s right to vote. Please note: A common reason for challenging a person’s right to vote occurs after the Board of Elections has sent mail to verify a voter’s mailing address, but the mail was returned.

– If a voter needs to show ID but cannot present ID, s/he/they may cast a provisional ballot. In order for that provisional ballot to be counted, the voter must present ID within seven (7) days of the election to the Board of Election.

Voting after a recent move, whether homeless or housed

If you moved within the same precinct within 27 days of the election, you can vote a full ballot by signing an affidavit.

If you moved outside of your precinct more than 30 days before the election and did not register in your new precinct, you may grace-period update your registration through Election Day, and then grace-period vote.

If you moved outside of your precinct less than 30 days before the election, but still live in Illinois and did not transfer your registration, you may grace-period update your registration to your new address through Election Day and grace-period vote. Or, you can vote a full ballot in your old polling place after completing an affidavit.

For Election Day assistance, call these legal help desks:

– Chicago Board of Elections, (312) 269-7870

– Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough, (312) 603-0236

– Illinois State Board of Elections has phone numbers in Chicago at (312) 814-6440, and in Springfield at (217) 782-4141. Operators will be standing by until 11 p.m in Chicago and until 12 midnight in Springfield.

 

A woman experiencing homelessness has filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Chicago, the second lawsuit related to disability access filed in a year.

Plaintiff Gloria Carter is represented by the Law Project of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH), Access Living, and the law firm of Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP.

Filed last week, the lawsuit alleges that the city of Chicago operates its emergency homeless shelter program in a manner that discriminates against people with disabilities, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other law. The lawsuit seeks, in part, to make the city of Chicago’s Emergency Homeless Shelter Program accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Due to her disability, Gloria Carter — a homeless woman — has difficulty moving around. She relies on a walker and is unable to navigate stairs without assistance. In August 2019, with no place to stay, Ms. Carter attempted to access the city’s emergency shelter program.

After a call was made on her behalf, the city sent a van to pick her up and take her to a shelter. But the van was inaccessible. Ms. Carter was unable to step up into the van on her own and the driver refused to assist her. So the van left without her and Ms. Carter was forced to spend that rainy night sleeping in a bus shelter.

Unfortunately, the inaccessible van was not the only way in which Ms. Carter was denied access to the city’s program because of a disability.  Even if Ms. Carter was able to get into the van, the driver planned to take her to Pacific Garden Mission. Like the van, that shelter was also inaccessible. It required Ms. Carter to climb many stairs, which she could not navigate on her own.

“I am seeking change. I would like to see a change in the way people with disabilities are treated by the city of Chicago,” Ms. Carter said.

This is not the first time the city of Chicago has faced a federal lawsuit over the inaccessibility of its emergency shelter program.

In March 2019, Laura Martin sued the city after being denied access to its emergency shelter program because of her disability. Like Ms. Carter, Ms. Martin was unable to climb stairs on her own because of her disability.

In November 2019, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois entered a judgment in favor of Ms. Martin and against the city. Ms. Martin is also represented by CCH, Access Living, and Porter Wright.

“Not only is it morally wrong for a person to be denied access to Chicago’s emergency homeless shelter program because of their disability, it is unlawful,” said CCH Staff Attorney Arturo Hernandez.

“The city has an obligation make its programs accessible and this lawsuit will hopefully lead to long-overdue changes in the city’s emergency homeless shelter program,” said Bob Hermes, an attorney and partner at Porter Wright.

Ms. Carter’s lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. It is captioned Carter v. City of Chicago, No. 20-cv-01083.

For additional information:

Chicago Tribune, March 12, 2019: City-funded Chicago homeless shelters violate the rights of people with disabilities, lawsuit claims

 

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) is pleased to see funding to address homelessness in our state maintained or increased in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget. We are particularly happy to see a 10% increase in funding to the Homelessness Prevention Fund, raising the appropriated amount to $10 million.

In addition, the governor’s proposed budget underlines what we already know – the state of Illinois needs more revenue to address its core responsibilities. Luckily, Illinoisans can raise that revenue when they go to the voting booth this November. By supporting the Fair Tax amendment, Illinois will create a progressive tax structure and generate the revenue we need to tackle priority issues such as homelessness.

“We applaud Gov. Pritzker’s leadership in advancing the Fair Tax. His 2021 budget demonstrates why it is so important we create a progressive tax system so we can adequately fund critical programs, such as homelessness prevention and youth homelessness,” said CCH Executive Director Doug Schenkelberg. “Chicago Coalition for the Homeless will partner with the governor and others to educate Illinois voters on the importance of this change and ensure the ballot measure passes in November.”

“We also appreciate Gov. Pritzker lifting up the power of education and increasing funding for MAP grants,” said Niya K. Kelly, CCH Director of State Legislative Policy, Equity and Transformation. “Ensuring the success of these students, we are advocating for Senate Bill 2548, so that students experiencing homelessness and students in foster care have the supports they need to succeed once they are in college.”

Crain’s Chicago Business: Full text of Gov. Pritzker’s budget address

33 Democrats call on Mayor Lightfoot to work with advocates on compromise bill 

SPRINGFIELD — Representing a significant voting bloc, 33 Democratic state lawmakers – 20 in the Illinois House of Representatives and 13 in the State Senate – introduced a bill today in a renewed effort to strike a compromise with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and advocates working to address the budget deficit while also creating major dedicated funding to address homelessness in Chicago.

The legislation (Senate Bill 3243 and House Bill 4826) preserves all of the money that Lightfoot is seeking to trim the city’s budget deficit while generating a projected $79 million to curb homelessness, which now afflicts more than 86,000 Chicagoans. The legislation would modify Lightfoot’s quest to increase the Chicago’s Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT), adjusting proposed rates assessed on the properties sold for more than $3 million, while extending a tax cut to 96% of average annual property sales in the city.  

The bill largely parallels a concept championed by a group of Illinois senators during last fall’s veto session, when Lightfoot’s bid for General Assembly approval of the tax increase faltered due, in part, to the qualms of legislators who want the measure to fund affordable and supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness in concert with reducing the budget gap. 

Lightfoot, herself, embraced a proposed RETT increase to unleash new funding to combat homelessness while campaigning for mayor.  This is one reason state legislators believe a compromise could be possible with her administration.

“We can’t emphasize enough that this legislation will produce a win-win outcome that would significantly reduce homelessness in our city and help address the city’s budget deficit,” said State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-8th). “Along with several of my colleagues and the Bring Chicago Home coalition, I look forward to collaborating with both the mayor and the governor to get this done.”

The legislation is estimated to yield $88 million that would be pledged to deficit reduction and $79 million dedicated to shrinking homelessness. To amass those revenues, the bill would honor the core integrity of Lightfoot’s proposal to charge a transfer tax on a graduated scale, adjusting the rates applying to only two tiers of high-end property sales.

For sales over $3 million, the bill would increase the rate from 2% to 2.8%, applying only to the portion of the transaction between $3 million and $10 million. For sales over $10 million, it would increase the rate from 2.55% to 4%, applying only to the portion of the transaction exceeding $10 million. 

For all other sales tiers, the rates would remain identical to Lightfoot’s proposal, ensuring a tax cut for properties purchased for less than $1 million – equivalent to 96% of the city’s average annual real estate transactions.

Conversations between legislators, advocates, and the mayor’s office are ongoing, but no agreement has been reached.  State legislators hope the introduction of the bill will be an impetus to bring the two sides closer together.  

“If passed, this bill will create resources for affordable housing that will help shrink the shortage of 120,000 affordable units in the city of Chicago and have a significant impact on reducing homelessness,” said State Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-4th), the lead sponsor of the bill in the House. “At the same time it will give a tax cut to 96% of property transactions in the city and preserve the mayor’s progressive tax structure. Now is the time to come together to get this done.”  

While aid to the homeless has increased marginally during the Lightfoot administration, it still ranks near the bottom among the 10 U.S. cities with the largest homeless populations, accounting for only .08% percent of what New York City allocates to the problem and 6% percent of what Los Angeles spends.  

 Meanwhile, homelessness in Chicago continues unchecked, affecting nearly 14,000 people who are currently working, more than 18,000 who have some college education, and more than 20,000 children, many of them struggling to stay in school, according to a 2019 analysis compiled by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.

FOR A COMPLETE  LIST OF ALL 33 LAWMAKERS SPONSORING THE LEGISLATION, CLICK HERE

 

 

**Due to the CDC recommendation to cancel all gatherings of 50 or more people through mid-May, we have decided to postpone this event until September 25.**

Knowing we stand stronger together, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless will mark 40 years of organizing and advocating at an evening celebration on Friday, September 25.

“No Place Like Home: Celebrating 40 Years of Advocacy” will be hosted at Zhou B. Art Center, 1029 W. 35^th St., in Chicago.

Early Bird tickets are $125. They can be purchased through this link.

CCH is proud of the roster of sponsors lined up in support of our work. Many thanks to lead sponsor Baker McKenzie, and to our Associate-level sponsors – Chase Bank, Fifth Third Bank, Harris & Harris, actor John Cusack and the JPC Foundation, Kirkland & Ellis, attorney Marta Delgado and Sam Nandi, Muriel Quinn and Robert Pasin, and Revolution Brewing.

Sponsorship opportunities continue, with information available from Michael Nameche.

On September 25 we will celebrate what’s been accomplished by CCH since 1980, such as proposing and securing yearly funding for homeless prevention grants. Those grants that have helped almost 120,000 Illinois households over 20 years.

“We’re also excited about the work underway,” said Executive Director Doug Schenkelberg. “Be it our advocacy in the city and state, our legal assistance to people throughout the Chicago region, or our community organizing and leadership development with our amazing grassroots leaders and service provider partners.”

CCH chose a Wizard of Oz theme for its September 25 event, being held from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

“The traditional gift for a 40^th anniversary is rubies – think of the ruby red slippers,” explained Director of Development Michael Nameche. “The yellow brick road symbolizes our grassroots leaders and staff marching into action in CCH’s signature bright yellow shirts. Plus, we have the courage, the heart, and the brains necessary to deliver permanent solutions to homelessness.”

And just like Dorothy, we know CCH wouldn’t have made a successful journey without help!

Thanks also to CCH’s other sponsors:

• Advocate Sponsors – Archer Daniels Midland, The Chicago Community Trust, Dexter Magnetic Technologies, Nicor Gas, Chris and Maggie Stewart, and Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP
• Stakeholder Sponsors – Applegate &Thorne-Thomsen, P.C., Blistex, Inc., CIBC Bank, Heartland Alliance, Hoffman-Barnes Risk Management Consulting, Tom and Anne Lysaught, and Thresholds
• Supporter Sponsors – AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Domu, Flexera, Dem Hopkins, Laura Luckman Kelber, Susan Lloyd, Mercy Housing, Merrill Lynch, The Night Ministry, Peak Realty Chicago, LLC, and Rush University Medical Center

Complaint contends property managers and debt collectors unlawfully seek attorney’s fees when evicting tenants, in violation of Chicago’s landlord-tenant ordinance.

Chicago – A formerly homeless tenant filed a federal class action lawsuit Friday against Draper & Kramer, Inc., a property management company, and IQ Data, Inc., a debt collector.

Plaintiff Yasmine Lamar is represented by attorneys from the Law Project at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) and the National Consumer Law Center. They argue on behalf of a class that Draper & Kramer sought unlawful attorney’s fees in connection with her eviction and that IQ Data sought to collect those fees in violation of state and federal consumer protection laws.

Chicago’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance prohibits landlords from charging attorney’s fees in connection with an eviction, yet Ms. Lamar alleges she was charged nearly $500 in fees. Ms. Lamar also alleges that the unlawful debt was reported to credit bureaus, damaging her credit.

The lawsuit alleges that this practice is widespread and could impact hundreds of tenants.

“Unlawful fees, like the ones charged by the defendants, make it that much harder for Chicago tenants to access and maintain stable housing,” said Mary Frances Charlton, a CCH attorney representing Ms. Lamar.

“Some former tenants may have paid attorney fees they don’t owe as a result of this unlawful practice,” said Charles Delbaum, a senior staff attorney also representing Ms. Lamar for the National Consumer Law Center.

Ms. Lamar described how the alleged collection practices impacted her life, saying that debt collectors “have called me from numerous numbers after being blocked, telling me that I always have excuses for not paying my debt, even though I don’t owe them attorney’s fees. This has made a very stressful time in my life much worse.”

Ms. Lamar and the class are seeking actual and punitive damages for what is alleged to be widespread violations of consumer protection laws.