The management at Lake Michigan Apartments told Willett Brown that she'd have to get out of her apartment today, June 25th, or they would put her out. Willett had been caring for her mother, a long-time resident of Lake Michigan Apartments for 22 years. Two days after her funeral, management told her she was being evicted. However, after refusing to keep this intimidation behind closed doors by appealing to Chicago Housing Authority and elected officials (PDF) and organizing a press conference in partnership with Southside Together Organizing for Power, the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, and the Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign, Willett won a reprieve and the eviction has been postponed.
Willett Brown speaking out against attempted eviction
After calling the press conference, Willett negotiated a three week reprieve to locate alternative housing before legal procedures to evict her could proceed. Following this reprieve, she will have the opportunity to challenge to eviction in court.
Carole Folkes, a neighbor of Ms. Brown suggested that management's behavior was morally reprehensible, and that more people should follow Willett's example of dedicating herself to caring for her ailing mother. She argued forcefully that Ms. Brown had the respect of the Lake Michigan Apartments' community, saying "We are family. Management might not be part of that family though."
Carole Folkes speaking in support of Willett Brown
Lake Michigan Apartments is managed by the Woodlawn Community Development Corporation, the "umbrella for T.W.O.’s [The Woodlawn Organization] real estate development and management activities". TWO has come under increasing criticism for becoming too cozy with the University of Chicago and associated efforts to gentrify the Woodlawn community. TWO president Leon Finney Jr has also been attacked for his very cozy relationship with city hall, and his failure to properly maintain properties under TWO's management, including charges that he is operating as a slumlord.
