Condos in danger of losing gas in Maine Township

More than 300 condominiums in the Crestwood development near Des Plaines will have their gas shut off Saturday, Oct. 11, according to the association manager.

Sandy Hannon, who has worked in Crestwood since 2001, tells a real hard-luck story of foreclosures and flooding in the community, which has 53 six-flats.

About 30 percent of the homes have been foreclosed, she said, and many of the remaining owners are struggling to pay their adjustable rate mortgages and have fallen behind on their association fees.

Nicor Inc. does not seem willing to negotiate with the association, said Hannon, who is worried about the families with babies and elderly members in the condominiums.

At one point the association was ready to accept a payment plan offered by Nicor, but it was withdrawn because the association had obtained a temporary restraining order preventing the gas from being turned off, she said.

A Nicor spokesman said Thursday it would take time before the company could comment.

One problem is that most of the money the association pays seems to be going toward a deposit and late fees rather than the bill, said Hannon.

As of Sept. 10, the total owed according to Nicor's calculations was $244,000, she said.

The buildings, which are on Holly Lane in Maine Township, south of Central Road and just east of I-294, were converted to condominiums starting in 2003, and two-bedroom homes cost about $140,000. The average assessment, which has to cover gas, insurance, water, and electricity, is $185 a month, which Hannon said is probably low.

When lenders sell foreclosed units they pay the back assessments, she said.

A meeting of condominium owners has been called for Wednesday, Oct. 15, to reorganize the association and five sub-associations and try to come up with a livable budget.