Chicago Sheriff Halts Evictions

Lawman declares that throwing renters out of foreclosed properties is unjust
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 9, 2008 8:21 AM CDT
Chicago Sheriff Halts Evictions
An Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now member holds a sign as the political action group stages a protest in front of the Federal Reserve Bank Building on Sept. 23, 2008.    (AP Photo/J. Pat Carter)

A Chicago lawman is going to stop enforcing foreclosure evictions because they’re unfair to renters, the Chicago Tribune reports. Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart has a huge and growing eviction list but is refusing to carry out any more mortgage-foreclosure evictions until lenders first figure out who’s actually living at foreclosed properties. Foreclosure evictions in Cook County have more than doubled since 2006.

"The people we're interacting with are, many times, oblivious to the financial straits their landlord might be in," said Dart, who says he is willing to take the risk of being found in contempt of court. "They are the innocent victims here, and they are the ones all of us must step up for and find some way to protect." (More housing market stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X