IL Attorney General Sues Landlord

(Article added Oct. 27th, 2003)

Attorney General Lisa Madigan received several standing ovations from homeowners at a packed gymnasium in Matteson on August 19th when she announced she filed to sue Maple Brook LLC and William Michael Dennis, a salesman, alleging consumer fraud and deceptive business practices regarding rent increases. The suit is based on deceptive practices to lure seniors into signing an agreement to locate their home in the Maple Brook community. Madigan said her office received 24,000 consumer complaints last year and that an "inordinate number" were submitted by senior citizens, who she said were often seen as easy prey. Madigan went on to explain that this was illegal and immoral. A spokeswoman for Madigan defined illegal and immoral as an act that would cause the common man to scream in outrage at an event. Madigan is hoping to send a message to other owners of manufactured home communities, that they will be held accountable if the try similar tactics Madigan's spokeswomen continued.

Homeowners residing in Maple Brook, which has an age requirement of 55 and older, were told they would not have rent increases of more than about 5 or 6 percent. They were than socked with a 50 to 60 percent increase. State Senator Maggie Crotty (D-Dist.19) with the help of Representative Robin Kelly (D-Dist.38 ) brought complaints from Maple Brook residents to Madigan' attention.

During the 2003 Spring Session, legislation was sponsored by Senator Debbie Halvorson( D-Dist.40) dealt with runaway rent increases via a service justification bill. At recent meeting in Elgin at Representative Ruth Munson's (R-Dist.43 ) office which included MHOAI, homeowners from Willow Lakes in Elgin and Golf Vista in Monee, and two representatives from the attorney generals office, Ann Marie Williams (Legislative Director), and Nicholas Rantis (Assistant Attorney General Consumer Fraud Bureau). Those in attendance again reiterated the need for additional laws to protect homeowners from runaway rent increases along with disclosure by the landlord on rent history in the communities.

Maple Brook residents are a terrific example of what can happen when everyone in a community works together. With our communities and membership working together through-out Illinois, we can get the changes we need in laws to balance the needs and concerns of homeowners and landlords.