For immediate release
For more information on this
case, contact:
Kelli Dudley
Law Office of Kelli Dudley
1658 Milwaukee, #100-8377
Chicago, Illinois 60647
FAIR HOUSING ATTORNEY KELLI
DUDLEY CONDEMNS ILLEGAL EVICTION
CHICAGO—Five tenants have been arrested today in an illegal
move by Barnett Capital to clear the way for ongoing gentrification of Little
Village. Prior to the arrests, Kelli Dudley, a noted fair housing attorney who
was famously subject to a gag order to keep her from discussing foreclosures,
informed Barnett and its lawyer that self-help evictions were not legal in
Illinois. In Cook County, evictions are only done pursuant to a judicial order
and with the assistance of the Cook County Sheriff.
In attempt to prevent the illegal eviction and avoid having
the tenants incur attorney fees, Dudley wrote to Barnett’s lawyer and informed
him about applicable law. Barnett contests whether those in the building are
“tenants” despite having previously posted notices at the building addressing
those involved as “tenants.” However, Dudley pointed out that Illinois law
provides due process rights regardless of “tenant” status, citing case law:
“…no person has the right to take possession, by force, of
premises occupied or possessed by another, even though such person may be
justly entitled to such possession. The forcible entry and detainer statute
provides the complete remedy at law for settling such disputes. Persons seeking
possession must use this remedy rather than use force.” Ross v. Youngman (1906),
125 Ill.App. 494, 496, citing Phelps v. Randolph (1893).
Dudley added, “Illinois law makes it clear that the purpose of
forcible entry and detainer (eviction) is to allow judges to decide who is
entitled to possession of real estate. This prevents the violence and
disruption that happens when people take things into their own hands instead of
respecting the court system. Since Barnett employs several attorneys on staff,
I am disappointed that they would use arrest to gain advantage in a civil
matter. This violates the ethical rules governing Illinois attorneys.”
Dudley stated she urged Barnett to use reason and to access
the courts rather than violence. “In effect, Barnett is forcing the taxpayers
to pay for the Chicago Police Department as a private troupe of henchmen for
its profit-driven interests. And guess who will pay when the CPD has to account
for its violations of civil rights? The taxpayers.”
-end-