In January of 2016, Cameron & Kane, LLC was retained by a client upon the referral of the Logan Square Neighborhood Association. Shortly thereafter, we filed suit on behalf of our client for violation of their rights under the Keep Chicago Renting Ordinance (“KCRO”).
The defendant, a multi-national bank and financial institution, responded by filing a motion to dismiss the lawsuit claiming the KCRO was preempted – made unenforceable – by the Illinois Rent Control Preemption Act (“RCPA”) because it constitutes “rent control.” To our surprise, the Judge issued an order wherein they agreed with the bank and found that the entirety of the KCRO was preempted and unenforceable because a single clause. While this order lacked explicit precedential authority, the opinion held the possibility of persuading other Circuit Court judges to follows its reasoning.
Shocked and dismayed by this decision, Cameron & Kane, LLC immediately retained valuable co-counsel from the Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing and Jenner & Block. Working together, we quickly drafted and filed a motion to reconsider the order arguing the judge had misinterpreted the law. After months of argument on the topic, ultimately Cameron & Kane, LLC and co-counsel successfully moved the Judge to reconsider their previous order and uphold the overwhelming majority of the KCRO as not preempted and enforceable.
Together with their client and invaluable co-counsel, Cameron & Kane, LLC is extremely proud to have preserved the KCRO as an enforceable source of tenants’ rights in Chicago. We remain committed to defending the KCRO should the defendant appeal.
Scott Kane
Member and Attorney at Law, Cameron and Kane, LLC
2864 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
Phone: 872-588-0727
Fax: 312-268-7478
scott@cameronandkane.com
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