MATTESON, IL-Cook County Judge Thomas Condon has ruled that the troubled Lincoln Mall will remain open. The judge on Thursday appointed a new receiver who will schedule and supervise repairs to the mall.
On August 7, the village of Matteson filed suit against the Lincoln Mall ownership and asked the court's permission to shut down the mall “due to dangerous conditions that threaten the health and safety of shoppers and employees.”
The village cited more than 25 fire, safety and building code violations in the mall that the village said is about half filled with about 45 retailers that employ approximately 100 workers. The village had sought the mall's immediate closure.
Judge Thomas Condon chose John Suzuki of Chicago's Collateral Trustee as receiver and interim property manager. "Were I to shut the mall, I would give the death penalty to all the people out there who run the shops," the judge said.
According to the Chicago Tribune, mall owner Michael Kohan deposited $100,000 into an escrow account to be used for repairs, but that was not considered enough, according to John Kennedy, one of Matteson's attorneys.
Kohan had also given a $21,000 check to the village Thursday to cover unpaid water bills. A status hearing is scheduled for Thursday. See story in the Chicago Tribune.
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