In the News

Des Plaines Journal & Topics, May 20, 2009

State Sen. Susan Garrett (D-29th) introduced the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act in the State Legislature earlier this year in an attempt to address at least some concerns of mobile home park residents.

Some residents at Glenview's Sunset Village Mobile Home Park told the Journal they would leave because of poor conditions in the park but feel trapped.

Though Garrett said the bill has been "gutted" by amendments, it would provide $9,000 to any mobile home resident forced to move out of a park by their landlord because of development or foreclosure. Garrett said she is in "long involved discussions to get it (the bill) right."

Brendan Saunders, a low income housing advocate working with Sunset Village residents on issues at the park, said the bill is a good start but does not address residents ability to move out if conditions in a park become untenable.

Garrett agreed that funds set aside to assist residents in moving because a park is sold for development or foreclosed on should also be accessible if there were "safety issues" or "serious deficiencies" at a given mobile park causing residents to want to leave.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency lists over 40 violations against Sunset Village's private well water system since the 1990's, including detection of radium, a carcinogen, and boil orders. Residents say because of the radium they do not drink the water.

Earlier this year the Village of Glenview took Sunset Village to court to address some of the park's water and sewage issues. A court order mandated new piping for park water and sewer systems but did not mandate a switch to village water as many residents sought.

Saunders said he has been in close touch with State Sen. Jeff Schoenberg's (D-9th) office about the water issues.

Saunders said residents feel trapped. They hold leases on trailers but rent the land they sit on. In Sunset Village that land can cost between $600 and $800 per month.

Saunders said the cost of moving a "mobile" home can be as much as $10,000 and said in the current real estate market finding a buyer is extremely difficult.

Garrett's bill would create a commission to look at mobile home park issues consisting of members appointed by house and senate leaders, the governor and representatives of mobile home park owners and mobile home owners.

Local state legislators Schoenberg and state representatives Elizabeth Coulson (R-17th) and Elaine Nekritz (D-57th) have signed on to the bill as co-sponsors.