Mice droppings in kitchen cabinets, roaches stuck to traps, and ceilings stained from water leaks — that’s daily life for residents at 7000 S. Parnell Ave. in Englewood, where the city has hauled the property owner to Cook County Circuit Court over 32 cited code violations. A 30-year-old mother of three who has lived in the building since 2019 showed what appeared to be fresh mouse droppings and said water leaks into her apartment whenever it rains.
The building has failed five annual city inspections in a row, in March 2025, January 2026, May 2026, August 2026 and September 2026, and racked up 35 complaints through Chicago’s 311 system, according to FOX 32 Chicago. The Chicago Department of Buildings says the property owner’s compliance has been inconsistent and minimal, and property ownership has failed to provide inspectors access to dwelling units needed to verify occupancy, detectors and the conditions residents have reported.
The 32 violations cited by the city include deteriorating structural and exterior conditions, problems with emergency lighting and exit signs, electrical hazards, leaking and deteriorated piping, water damage and penetration in hallway and corridor ceilings, and openings around pipes that require rat-proof sealing. The Chicago Department of Law has an active circuit court case against the owner that has already seen seven court dates, with the next hearing set for December 3, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
The Case in Circuit Court
The city is pursuing the cited violations against the owner in Cook County Circuit Court…