Chateau’s Former Owner Dismissed from Court After $18K Fine

Former Chateau Hotel owner Jack Gore will soon be off the hook after racking up more than 130 building code violations like mice and bedbug issues if he pays thousands of dollars in fines.

Ald. James Cappleman (46th) sent out a statement Tuesday saying he’s been working with the new owners BJB Properties to find new homes for the residents in the remaining 45 units at the single-room occupancy hotel. But at the most recent court date, a development was made.

“In court on April 4th, the judge entered a fine of $18,000 plus $60 court costs against the previous owners of the Chateau Hotel,” Cappleman said in a statement. “These fines will help reimburse past court costs that have occurred over the years. The previous owners will be dismissed from the case upon payment of the fine.”

Cappleman’s continued to say the court case will continue on June 6 for case management.

The statement also added that the ward recently worked with police and the Dept. of Family and Support Services to “assist an elderly, fragile woman living at the Chateau who was covered in bed bugs.” They moved her to the hospital, and upon her discharge, she will also be relocated to a new home.

The woman’s condition is a testament to the building’s state, which BJB is now working to repair to create market-rate housing. Cappleman candidly detailed the living conditions he witnessed while touring the building in January at a court date earlier this year.

The social worker and politician said it was worse than he ever imagined.

“It’s appalling. I’m speechless,” he said. “We reviewed the living situation at Hotel Chateau and it’s much worse than I ever dreamed possible, and I’m alarmed. … It is not safe for those people (living at Hotel Chateau), and my focus now is saving people's lives.”

Catholic Charities met with residents Friday after BJB’s principal Jamie Purcell’s meeting with area officials to help find them new places to live. 

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