#housing | WNIJ and WNIU

Hunter Hits Back With $10 Million Lawsuit Against DeKalb

By WNIJ News • Aug 19, 2019

The lawsuit, filed in federal court, lists Hunter Ridgebrook Properties as the plaintiff. It is managed by Sam Okner and Associates LLC, which manages more than 900 residential units in DeKalb.

The lawsuit seeks $10 million and argues a violation of Hunter’s constitutional right to the equal protection of the law guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment, saying “No other residential rental property entity within the City of DeKalb has been even remotely subjected to the unequal, unfair and discriminatory treatment as that of Hunter by the City of DeKalb.”

Housing Woes: What Does Resolution Look Like?

By Sarah Jesmer • Aug 2, 2019

For the last few weeks, we've been looking at housing problems in the DeKalb area. What does resolution look like as the community works to revitalize struggling neighborhoods?

DeKalb community members have been considering housing conditions when some local buildings were damaged during suspected arsons.

One of these cases occurred at 808 Ridge Drive in early July.

Counting Crime In DeKalb's Largest Apartments

By Sarah Jesmer • Jul 26, 2019

This piece is part three in a series about housing conditions in DeKalb. Tune in Friday, August 2, for the last update in this series.

Last week, we took a look at the controversial history between the city of DeKalb and Hunter Properties, a large local rental property owner. A network of DeKalb community efforts are addressing crimes reported at apartments, which have recently been under the microscope.

Fires Spark City Conversation About Local Landlord

By Sarah Jesmer • Jul 19, 2019

This is the second in a series of stories looking at housing conditions in northern Illinois. We'll have the next installment Friday, July 26.

Last week, we looked at a new tenants rights group forming in DeKalb County. It was spurred by complaints about one property owner in particular, Hunter Properties. How did Hunter Properties and the City of DeKalb get to this point?

Tenant Association Forms For DeKalb Renters' Rights

By Sarah Jesmer • Jul 12, 2019

This is the first in a series of stories looking at housing conditions in northern Illinois. We'll have the next installment Friday, July 19.

Fire At Apartment Displaces 140 In DeKalb

By Sarah Jesmer • Jul 10, 2019

A fire broke out at 808 Ridge Drive in DeKalb on July 9 near 11 p.m. at an apartment complex owned by Hunter Properties. Police are investigating the incident as a case of arson. DeKalb City Manager Bill Nicklas calls it an "outrage" and says that it’s the worst incident he’s seen at a Hunter Property apartment in terms of number of injuries.

“Last night we put together some emergency housing. Hunter [Properties] had some empty apartments and people were invited to stay,” said Nicklas.