Wheeling agrees to halt hearings over mobile home community
The village of Wheeling agreed Tuesday to temporarily halt proceedings against residents of the Fox Point mobile home community who are accusing officials of trying to force them from their homes because of racial discrimination.
Under a court order agreed to by representatives for the village and Fox Point residents, the administrative hearings are postponed until U.S. District Court Judge Amy J. St. Eve rules on a preliminary injunction that could further delay proceedings.
“The village of Wheeling’s attorneys have been levelheaded and professional in talking to me,” the residents’ attorney, Kelli Dudley, said in a statement released Tuesday. “I look forward to meeting with them and the Fox Point residents to see if we can reach solutions that allow the Fox Point residents to keep their homes and obtain the justice guaranteed by the Fair Housing Act and other laws.”
A hearing on the residents’ motion for a preliminary injunction is set for Oct. 10.
“The village expects a decision in its favor shortly thereafter, confirming the proper use of its authority to apply (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and state regulations on the repair of damaged structures in the floodway, and the village’s building codes, to remedy serious health and safety violations,” Village Attorney James V. Ferolo wrote in a statement issued Wednesday. “The village will then continue to prosecute the citations against the mobile homeowners, in order to ensure the health and safety of the residents.”
At issue are the village’s actions enforcing code violations at several Fox Point properties damaged by April flooding along the nearby Des Plaines River. Some residents already have been forced out, their homes demolished, and several remaining say they will have no choice to leave if the village insists they make costly repairs.
In a lawsuit filed earlier this month, about 50 Fox Point residents allege the village is strictly enforcing codes because the neighborhood is primarily Hispanic. Village officials have denied the claims.
“The village rejects the meritless arguments by the mobile homeowners that the village has
acted with an animus towards persons of Hispanic origin.” Ferolo wrote. “Wheeling is dedicated to making sure all local laws are followed in the maintenance and upkeep of the Fox Point mobile home park.”