Tenants group sues Chicago Housing Authority

Longtime tenants are suing the Chicago Housing Authority, alleging it reneged on pledges to return them to their neighborhood after redevelopment.

The Cabrini-Green Local Advisory Council filed its lawsuit in federal court Thursday. Chicago has been demolishing or renovating public housing for years to provide poorer residents more livable conditions.

Many Cabrini Rowhouses residents ended up waiting out renovations in segregated developments with less economic opportunity.

Thursday’s lawsuit says the CHA renovated a quarter of the Cabrini units, then set aside just a small portion for public housing. It wants them all designated for public housing.

The CHA says it hadn’t received the lawsuit. But it said it hadn’t announced fixed decisions about the Cabrini homes in question and is still seeking comment on its plans.