Apartment complex faces another gas shut off

For a third time this year, a Schaumburg apartment complex is facing a potential gas shut off to several units Saturday due to nonpayment of bills by its management company.

Only this time, temperatures outside are below freezing, making it likely the shut off won't actually happen.

The trouble is taking place at the 300-unit IK Apartments ­- previously known as both Schaumburg Villas and Grand Vista of Schaumburg apartments - at the southwest corner of Golf Road and Knollwood Drive.

Apartment managers did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the situation.

In addition to its issues with Nicor Gas, the management company is also being prosecuted in court by the village of Schaumburg for a number of building code violations.

Village inspectors visited the complex by court order a few weeks ago to look into complaints that had been received about roof leaks, heating issues and other matters, Code Compliance Manager Mary Passaglia said.

While she was not specific, she said the case has been kept alive in court by the inspectors' findings.

"There are issues that need to be addressed," Passaglia said.

Meanwhile, some residents are worried by the notices on their building doors that Nicor may shut off gas on or after Saturday due to management's overdue payments.

Last April, gas was shut off to 24 units for a few hours until a payment agreement was reached. In early November, several units were without gas for almost three days.

"We were able to make it, but it's uncomfortable," said 66-year-old Jim Deering, who's lived at the complex for 10 years.

Deering said he and his wife have considered moving elsewhere for the past three years, but are deterred by the expense and effort of such a move. Deering said he's somewhat disabled and doesn't feel he should be facing this dilemma when he pays all his own bills on time.

Nicor spokeswoman Annette Martinez said regulations prevent gas from being shut off between Dec. 1 and March 31 if there's any possibility of temperatures falling below 32 degrees in the next 24 hours.

"We always err on the side of caution with the weather," she said.

But she added that the notices were posted as a precaution for the residents following an extended period of nonpayment by management.

"We've continued to try to work with this owner, but he's continued to be delayed in his payments," Martinez said.

She could not specify how many units might be affected, other than that it was "multiple accounts."

Deering hopes he won't have to move into a motel just before Christmas, but puts the full blame for the possibility on the management rather than Nicor.

"You'd think they would care," Deering said. "It's really disheartening to find there are people like that out there. Ten years ago, I wouldn't have believed something like this could happen."