Elmhurst Landlord Defends History Of Problems

ELMHURST, IL — Neighbors are opposing a group home for men with addictions on Elmhurst's north side, citing a history of problems on the property.

In an interview Wednesday, Gary Vician, the longtime landlord from Naperville, defended himself on the past issues at the house at 348 N. Larch Ave. And he contended the group home, which started in 2018, serves a purpose and requires its residents to follow rules.

Later this month, a key city committee is expected to make a recommendation on whether to allow the group home to continue.

In 2006, the Elmhurst Independent newspaper published a story about the problems at Vician's property. At the time, then-Ward 2 Alderwoman Jan Vanek said as many as 10 unrelated people lived in the house.

"From what I understand, the police are there two or three times a week," Vanek told the Independent. "They've had fires. One fire was started when a resident tried to burn rubber off some copper piping."

In Wednesday's interview, Vician, a former Naperville Township trustee, blamed the problems on squatters who were committing crimes. He said the city prevented him from doing anything about it, citing laws protecting squatters.

Vician recalled the original renters as "wonderful citizens," but then they allowed their son to live there.

"He invited some people who were partying and who would not leave," Vician said.

He said the police prohibited him from going on the property to deal with the issues, saying he was warned he would be arrested if he did. The city, he said, was stretching the laws protecting squatters.

"Squatters don't have the right to commit criminal acts," he said.

As for the group home proposal, he said Elmhurst and towns everywhere need services to help those suffering from addictions. Elmhurst is not immune, he said, from the nationwide epidemic of heroin overdose deaths.

At the house, people are barred from drinking and doing drugs and must follow a number of rules, Vician said.

"They are decent, nice people who have had a bump in their life," said Vician, a former assistant principal and teacher. "Some of them were drinking too much. They are not that way now. They have fixed up their lives and would like a place to stay. It's very helpful to be in a place that has rules."

He acknowledged a heroin overdose death occurred at the house in 2019.

The home now has seven occupants and is seeking permission for up to eight, according to the city. It is run by Carpenter's Tools Ministries.

Last week, Alderman Mike Honquest, who heads the City Council's Development, Planning and Zoning Committee, said the panel tentatively plans to take up the group home request at a meeting next week. From there, it would go to the full council.

He said the city would likely afford some accommodation for the group home.

In the background is a battle over a group home in Hinsdale. Federal prosecutors have sued the village for trying to shut down the home, alleging it violated the Fair Housing and Americans With Disabilities acts.