
HISPANICS UNITED OF DUPAGE
COUNTY, et al.,
Plaintiffs,
v.
94-C-6075
VILLAGE OF ADDISON, ILLINOIS,
Defendant.
______________________________
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff
v.
95-C-3926
VILLAGE OF ADDISON, ILLINOIS,
Defendant
______________________________
These consolidated actions allege, in pertinent part, that the Village of Addison's ("Village") proposed and initiated redevelopment or two areas in the Village violates the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. 3061, et seq., by discriminating on the basis of national original against Hispanic residents of those areas.
On October 6, 1994, Leopoldo Alcaraz, Debra J. Cagle, Marcella Carillo, Carl Conti, Maudie Conti, Rita Gonzalez, Oralia Herrera, Martin Hurtado, Camille Husby, Emilia Ibarra, Estela Ibarra, Slabador Ibarra, Reginaldo Ortega, David Sanchez, Jose Angel Rivera, Amparo Rojas, Jesus Rojo, San Juan Rojo, Guadalupe Solis, Maria Torres, Elisa Vargas, Marcelino Vargas, Jose Villanueva, Maria Villanueva, Hispanics United of DuPage County, Leadership Council For Metropolitan Open Communities, and the Hispanic Council (collectively the "private plaintiffs") filed their original complaint and, on December 23, 1994 filed an amended complaint. The private plaintiffs also allege violations of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution as well as 42 U.S.C. 1981, 1982, and 1983. On April 20, 1995, the Court pursuant to Rule 23, Fed. R. Civ. P., certified a class defined as: "individuals who have owned or rented dwellings in the Village of Addison on or subsequent to January 1, 1994 and who have been, will be, and/or continue to be, adversely affected by the segregative and discriminatory actions, policies, and practices of the Defendants and their agents as alleged in the Plaintiffs' Amended Complaint."
On July 7, 1995 the United States of America filed its complaint alleging the the Village of Addison violated the Fair Housing Act. On the same day, the Court consolidated these actions.
The complaints allege that the Village planned and began the acquisition and demolition of dwellings in the two largest Hispanic communities in the Village by acquiring, demolishing, and planning to continue to demolish affordable housing and decent housing in those communities. The complaints further allege that, in 1994, the Village, pursuant to the State of Illinois Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act, Section 65 ILCS/11-74.4-3, created two redevelopment districts, the Army Trail/Mill Road and Michael Lane Tax Increment Financing districts (the "TIF districts"), as the means to accomplish these ends. The complaints also allege that, through implementation of these TIF districts, the Village violated the Fair Housing Act by seeking to displace Hispanic families residing in these areas.
In its answer to the complaints, defendant Village of Addison, Illinois ("Village") denies the material allegations of the complaints. In particular, the Village denies that its actions constitute a violation of the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. 3601, et seq., or a violation of 42 U.S.C. 1981, 1982, and 1983. The Village contends that the areas within the tax increment financing districts were "blighted," as that word is used and defined in 65 ILCS 5/11-74.4-3, and the Village further contends that residential and commercial properties within the tax increment financing districts required and require redevelopment. The Village denies that any of its actions were undertaken with any discriminatory motive, intent, or result. The Village asserts that it has not engaged in discrimination against its residents.
Following extensive pre-trial discovery, the parties have agreed that, in order to avoid costly and protracted litigation, this controversy should be resolved voluntarily. Therefore, without a trial or adjudication on the merits, the parties consent to the entry of this Order.
It is ORDERED, ADJUDGED, and DECREED that the Defendant Village of Addison, Illinois, its employees, agents, and successors, and all those acting in concert or participation with them, are hereby enjoined, generally and specifically, as follows:
The Defendant shall not:
The Village acknowledges that one of the reasons it enacted the two TIF districts was to enable it to acquire properties by condemnation or be threat of condemnation, and that all of the properties in the TIF district which it acquired prior to the filing of this lawsuit were acquired by condemnation or threat of condemnation. The Village further acknowledges that it intended to and still intends to acquire further properties in the TIF districts in this manner, but has voluntarily delayed doing so during the pendency of this lawsuit. This Consent Decree resolves, in part, the dispute among the parties over further acquisition of properties within the affected areas by specifying which properties the Village may acquire in this manner. the Village further acknowledges that all properties which it may acquire in the implementation of the Plan will be taken as a result of condemnation or threat of condemnation, and all contracts to purchase properties shall, at the seller's option, specifically so state.
In addition to the payments for relocation assistance made pursuant to Section II.B of the Decree, the Village agrees to make the following monetary payments:
Within thirty (30) days after the entry of this Consent Decree, the Village will pay the sum of $60,000 to Hispanics United of DuPage County, the Hispanic Council, and the Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities. These monies will be distributed among the organizations at their discretion.
Within ten (10) days after the entry of this Consent Decree, the Village agrees to deposit $30,000 into an interest-bearing account. This fund will be used in furtherance of fair housing in Addison by enhancing awareness of the requirements of federal fair housing laws. Without intending to limit by way of example, this would include programs such as training rental management employees, real estate professionals, or staff at local financial institutions. The United States shall consult with the Village regarding the distribution of the monies, following the receipt of proposals submitted by interested groups.
The parties recognize that during the terms of this Consent Decree there are many factors, unforseen at this time, which may require some modification of the terms of this Decree concerning development or redevelopment in the affected areas. The Village, or any other party, may seek to modify this Decree so that the purposes of this Consent Decree, as set forth in the Plan and described above, may be implemented more effectively. The parties resolve to work cooperatively and in good-faith to resolve informally any differences regarding interpretation of and compliance with this Decree prior to bringing such matters to the Court for resolution.
This Consent Decree shall be in effect for seven (7) years from the date if its entry to all sections except Parts II.B, and III.A.3 and 5, which shall apply to any development and redevelopment activity, which the Village, pursuant to its TIF powers, undertakes in the affected areas. The Village may move to dismiss this action at any time after th term of this decree by certifying that, pursuant to its TIF powers, it does not intend to directly or indirectly acquire and.or remove any additional properties in the affected areas. The Court shall dismiss the case unless the United States or the private plaintiffs can establish good cause why it should not be dismissed.
The Court shall retain jurisdiction for the purpose of enforcing the Consent Decree.
______________________________
Ruben Castillo
United States District Court Judge
______________________________
Date
Hispanics United of Dupage County
Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities
Hispanic Council by:
Robert L. Graham
Edward A. Voci, Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities
The Individual and Class Plaintiffs by:
Matthew J. Piers
Theresa Amato
The Defendant Village of Addison by:
Barry L. Moss
Thomas R. Weiler
Stuart D. Gordon
The United States by:
Robert S. Berman, United States Department of Justice
James B. Burns, United States Attorney
By: Joan Laser, Assistant United States Attorney
1 For purposes of this Decree, the Green Oaks Court area shall be defined as the area bounded as follows: all real property east of Mill Road and having street addresses on Green Oaks Court or 465 N. Mill Road, whether vacant or developed.
2 The Commonwealth Edison property is vacant land, which is approximately 1.3 acres in size. It is located south of Stevens Drive, north of Army Trail Road, East of Mill Road, and west of the Chateau Mill Condominiums.
3 Any redevelopment by the private real estate market is not inhibited or restricted by this Consent Decree.
Entered: 1998-02-10![]() |
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Steven H. Rosenbaum |
Chief |
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Housing & Civil Enforcement Section |
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(202) 514-4713
TTY - 202-305-1882 FAX - (202) 514-1116 To Report an Incident of Housing Discrimination: 1-800-896-7743 |
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U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Housing and Civil Enforcement Section, NWB Washington, D.C. 20530 Email: fairhousing@usdoj.gov |