Waukegan Housing Authority accused in bedbug lawsuit

Waukegan’s public housing authority is accused in a federal lawsuit of being responsible for bedbugs infesting some residents’ apartments.

In the suit filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Chicago, it’s alleged more than half of the 155-unit Harry Poe Manor in downtown Waukegan is infested with bedbugs. The complaint, which seeks class-action status, contends the Waukegan Housing Authority has not done anything to eradicate the bedbug problem despite knowing about it no later than January 2011.

Three law firms are representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. Among the attorneys is Jed Stone of Waukegan, who’s known for handing high-profile criminal cases.

Stone said the Poe Manor residents have been “victimized by an insensitive bureaucracy that allows bedbugs to invade the homes of the disabled, the elderly and the poor.”

Waukegan city spokesman David Motley did not respond to a request for comment Monday.

Bedbug concerns earlier this month idled more than 300 Hadley Junior High School students for one day in DuPage County. Glen Ellyn Elementary District 41 brought in a bug-sniffing dog to assist with inspections.