An ordinance was approved this week that will enforce specific regulations regarding housing in the Village of Evergreen Park.
Changes were made to amend a previous ordinance regarding rental housing and short-term rentals. The ordinance was approved by a 5-0 margin during the Evergreen Park Village Board meeting Monday night.
Mayor Kelly Burke said this measure had been worked on over a long period of time to update fair housing practices and to prevent squatters from residing in these units illegally.
“First, we wanted to regulate housing for single-family housing,” Burke said. “And second, we wanted to place rules for landlords to make sure that they let us know when property is available. What we want to do is to reduce the squatters situation.”
Other suburbs have raised complaints about individuals who begin living in rented housing units without notifying the landlords. Instances have occurred in which renters approach the home only to find someone already living there.
A new state law was signed by Gov. JB Pritzker in July that will make it easier for police to remove squatters who are illegally staying at a residence. The law will take effect on Jan. 1.
Burke and the board decided to amend an ordinance to tighten those rules locally. A series of regulations have been implemented in this ordinance that makes landlords more accountable. Landlords also need to inform the village if any changes take place at housing and rental units they own, according to the ordinance.
Specifically, landlords must communicate with the village if changes occur with their property. They will be required before renting a unit to receive approval of the Evergreen Park Building Department.
“It will take awhile for this to take effect,” Burke said. “We have a lot of apartments and condos.”
Inspections will take place annually, the mayor said. However, if anyone has questions or complaints about rented units, the village will look into it immediately, she said.
“If neighbors observe something, we’re happy to take a look,” Burke said.
In other news, the finance committee will hold a public meeting at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, in the Village Hall council chambers, 9418 S. Kedzie Ave.
The Daniel V. Capuano Ice Rink is open for the season at 89th and Kedzie. More information about the hours of operation can be obtained by calling the recreation department, 708-229-3373.
Burke and the board congratulated Eagle Scout candidate Ryan Mooney for “outstanding achievement and service work,” including his involvement in donating park benches for two local parks.
Commendations also went out to Jon Paul Witkowski, who hosted a clean-up day with his scout troop at Yukich Field.
Burke also complimented the Evergreen Park Recreation Department for their efforts to make Santa’s Wonderland a success on Saturday.
The mayor also complimented Brother Rice on a 16-0 win over St. Rita to win the 7A state football championship.
“We have a lot of kids from Evergreen Park who played for both teams,” Burke said. “We congratulate them on a successful season.”