Kane County gets more time to resolve Ward eviction

Landlords of the old Montgomery Ward store in St. Charles still want Kane County removed from the property, but they're giving county employees a little more time to pack up their things.

County officials received an amended eviction notice Tuesday. County officials received the notice as an admission by the landlords that the current lease on the property is a year-to-year agreement, and not subject to rent increases on a month-to-month basis. The landlords, New York-based Rockward Associates, recently sent the county a notice trying to increase the rent.

The new notice gives the county until Dec. 31 to vacate the premises. It also asks for $80,000 in past due rent and rent through Dec. 31. The notice also demands payment of any property taxes the county has not yet paid on the property according to the current lease agreement.

The county board discussed the issue in closed session Tuesday, but did not take any official action on the matter.