6 Joliet Houses Being Deemed Public Nuisances By City Officials

JOLIET, IL - Six troubled homes across Joliet are on the city's radar. The homes are all vacant, boarded up, damaged by fire or falling apart. City leaders say the time is now to declare these six properties as public nuisances. The measure would allow the city to take legal action through the Will County Circuit Court system, perhaps leading to demolition.

"The structures located on the properties ... are deteriorated, dangerous, structurally unsafe and in such a state of disrepair that they constitute a hazard to life and property," states the ordinance before the Joliet City Council. The "mayor and city council have determined that it is necessary to seek the demolition of the structures."

According to the city, here's the background on the six homes up for discussion at Monday's pre-council meeting of the Joliet City Council, which begins at 5:30 p.m. The public nuisance ordinance could come up for a vote at the council's regular meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

4 South Cagwin Street. A two-story wood frame house that has been vacant since 2012. The city lists the owner as IKE Services, LLC, of the 2300 block of South Route 59 in Plainfield.

703 Cleveland Avenue. A two-story wood frame house in poor condition. The city lists the owners as Jose F. and Mary F. Godina of the 3700 block of Thoroughbred Lane in Joliet.

313 South Joliet Street. A one-and-a-half story house that has sat vacant since November 2014. According to the city, the property's owner, Gretta Whitted, is deceased.

15 Seeser Street. A two-story wood frame home that has sat vacant since April 2015. According to the city, the owner has died and city workers have been forced to maintain the property's exterior. The city lists the owner as David R. Gourley Jr.

350 South Ottawa Street. A one-story wood frame house with a detached garage. It has sat vacant since 2013. The city lists the owners as being Jarrett E. and Lisa McCullum.

112 North Hickory Street. A two-story wood frame house with a detached garage. The city states that the structure is in poor condition with numerous building code violations. The structure has been empty for several years, according to the city. The city lists the property owner as being Iqbal M. Jaffer of the 100 block of Steamboat Lane, Bolingbrook.

Image via Joliet Patch Editor John Ferak