Illinois Files Housing Discrimination Charge to Investigate Chicago Landlord’s Role in ICE Raid

Illinois Files Housing Discrimination Charge to Investigate Chicago Landlord's Role in ICE Raid

IDHR's department-initiated charge alleges 7500 S Shore building management tipped federal officials to intimidate and coerce the building's Black and Hispanic tenants into leaving their apartment units

CHICAGO- The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) will begin an investigation after filing today a formal housing discrimination charge against 7500 Shore A LLC, Trinity Flood, and Strength in Management LLC, the three of which own and manage the building, in connection to the widely publicized immigration raid by federal agents on September 30. IDHR will investigate allegations that the building owner and management tipped federal officials about the presence of Venezuelan immigrants in the building in order to intimidate and coerce the building's Black and Hispanic tenants into leaving the building, based on stereotypes or hostility toward Venezuelan immigrants.

"These allegations of housing discrimination raise serious concerns for people struggling to maintain housing - and the communities that have been profiled and relentlessly targeted by the federal government during its violent immigration enforcement operations," said Governor JB Pritzker. "State law prohibits discrimination, and that includes aiding or abetting conduct intended to interfere with housing and civil rights. Illinois will not tolerate conduct that puts anyone in Illinois at risk of discrimination or harm."

The charge contains numerous allegations about the federal raid of the 7500 S. Shore building. Specifically, the charge alleges that federal agents under the direction of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) raided the 7500 S Shore building in the middle of the night on September 30, 2025. According to the charge, armed federal agents in military uniforms forcibly entered nearly all the 130 units in the 5-story building. Agents dragged tenants and their children outside, separated them based on their race, ancestry, and national origin, and left them zip-tied for hours outside the building.

The charge also alleges that when tenants were permitted to return to the building, they found their doors kicked down or ripped from the hinges and their furniture and belongings removed, tossed, or damaged. The raid left their residences uninhabitable. The charge also alleges that within hours after the raid, workers employed or contracted by 7500 S Shore building management began putting tenants' belongings in the trash and clearing out units vacated by the raid.

"The conduct alleged in this matter reflects more than isolated harm," said IDHR Director, Jim Bennett. "It describes a pattern of intimidation that reverberates through our communities. Illinois law is clear. Every person within our state is entitled to freedom from housing discrimination and to the protection of their dignity, rights and personal safety. When actions by any entity undermine those protections, the State has a responsibility to examine them in the interest of public welfare, accountability, and equal justice."

Filing a department-initiated charge does not mean that IDHR has already investigated or made any findings as to whether the discrimination occurred. Rather, the filing of a charge begins a formal investigation by IDHR. If IDHR finds substantial evidence of discrimination and the matter cannot be settled or conciliated, IDHR may file a complaint with the Illinois Human Rights Commission on behalf of all tenants and people residing in the 7500 S Shore building at the time of the raid.

As part of its investigation, IDHR will contact and interview relevant witnesses and review pertinent documents. Anyone with information that can further the investigation may contact IDHR through the online 'Contact IDHR' form and select EXISTING CHARGE/CASE.

Document: Charge of Discrimination, Case Number 2026CH843

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About the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR)

The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) enforces the Illinois Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in connection with employment opportunities, housing and real estate transactions, access to financial credit, and the availability of public services and public accommodations, including educational institutions. Any Illinoisan who believes they have been a victim of discrimination can file a charge with IDHR within 2 years of the date of the incident (effective Jan. 1, 2025) or within one year of a housing violation. To file a charge with IDHR, call (877) 236-7703 or 7-1-1 for *TTY users or visit dhr.illinois.gov/filing-a-charge.

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