Arrests made after Harvey sells senior’s home to private investor for $2,000

A Harvey family is fighting to stop the city from selling a property on 155th St. and Myrtle Ave. they say is part of their own home — a move that escalated into arrests during a tense City Council meeting on April 28.

The dispute centers resident Betty Allen, 87, who has lived on Myrtle Ave. for nearly 30 years. The city recently approved a redevelopment agreement to sell a vacant house connected to her home to Ohio-based Blue Crest Estates, LLC, for $2,000, despite the family holding the original deed.

Four alderpersons approved the deal, citing the need to rehabilitate blighted property at 60 E. 155th St.: Alds. Shirley Drewenski (1st), Telanee Smith (3rd), Dominique Randle-El (5th), and Tyrone Rogers (6th). Alds. Tracy Key (4th) and Colby Chapman (2nd) cast dissenting votes. Chapman, who had been in contact with Allen since the home is based in her ward, objected to the sale. Allen arrived late to the meeting and was not permitted to speak during public comment.

After Chapman tried to speak on the family’s behalf, Mayor Chris Clark ordered police to remove her from the meeting. Chapman, along with her mother, was arrested outside of the chambers.

HWH attempted to follow officers but was blocked by an officer, who warned that leaving the room would mean not being allowed back in. The HWH, which has two ongoing public records-related lawsuits against the city, is considering legal action. At police headquarters, officers refused to share details about the arrests. 

Chapman was charged with battery of a law enforcement officer, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest while her mother was also charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, CBS2 Chicago reported. This marks Chapman’s third arrest since August 2024.

“I simply echoed the need for the legislative process and opportunity for discussion/debate on the resolution called because my 2nd Ward [resident’s] home was being sold to a group of developers for a mere $2,000,” Chapman said in a Facebook post following her release.

In the Kellogg and Clark administrations, Harvey has seized private property and turned it over to private developers. The move has consistently invited litigation. 

Food manufacturer American Kitchen Delights on Dixie Highway, near the former site of Dixie Square Mall, has filed three lawsuits against Harvey, alleging the city stole its parcels of land to give to developers. Harvey endeavors to construct a logistics center on former Dixie Square Mall land.

Harvey retaliates against a senior

Allen’s daughters spoke with the HWH, saying the house has been connected to their mother’s home since 1997. “We want due process. We want our day in court,” said Suzan, Allen’s daughter, who discovered a $94,000 loan on the property taken out by a now-deceased previous owner.

Allen has paid taxes and water bills for decades, largely through senior exemptions. But when city officials began demanding she separate the water lines, the situation escalated. The family said her water was shut off.

“Who does that to an 87-year-old?” said Elizabeth Watson, Allen’s other daughter. “They turned her water off for two months. We had to buy five-gallon jugs of water just for her to survive.”

The family alleges the city improperly locked the adjacent house and is now trying to sell it to Blue Crest Estates for a fraction of its value. According to them, the home is worth an estimated $169,000. 

The city’s move is an omen for Harvey homeowners, raising concerns that the council could seize homes and give them to land value speculators. Last fall, white developers were seen in the area of 153rd St. and Lexington Ave., asking Black and Latino homeowners o sell them their homes.

“They can’t do stuff in the dark,” Suzan said, noting her mortgage industry experience. She says she’s found inconsistencies in the property’s identification numbers and loan paperwork. The family is now seeking legal help to challenge the sale and clear the property title. “We just want them to leave her alone,” Suzan said.

City officials have not responded publicly to the family’s claims.

Public and mayoral comment

The meeting also saw rising tensions between Clark, Ald. Key, and residents during public comment. 

Clark went on an homophobic tirade, suggesting Ryan Sinwelski, a former planning commissioner and openly gay man, was a pedophile. Key called a point of order, calling the mayor’s actions unprofessional.

“You don’t even know the Pledge of Allegiance,” Clark shot back at Key, who attempted to intervene in the heated exchange. Key walked out, saying he felt disrespected.

During mayoral comment, Clark spoke about Chapman’s removal, saying that council members have the ability to appeal the chair’s decision if they don’t agree with it. “[Chapman] chose not to appeal the decision. She chose to be disruptive,” the mayor said.

Clark then gave context over his exchange with Key. “As far as alderman [Key], he didn’t know the Pledge of Allegiance when we asked him to say [it],” Clark said, mimicking Key’s recitation. “He specifically said, ‘I pledge allegiance to the flag, United States of America, and to my constituents, um… um…’ That’s what he said.”

Clark continued: “If y’all want that smoke, I can give it to you, but I’m not trying to create that up here.”