Ald. Cullerton Annouces Closing of Residential Portion of Youth Outreach Center

Following complaints of increased criminal activity in the West Dunning Area, and an ongoing three month investigation, Ald. Tim Cullerton announced the closing of the residential portion of the Youth Outreach Center, 6411-6417 W. Irving Park Rd.

The Center, operated by Youth Outreach Properites, Inc., had been receiving grant money from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to house up to nine residents on the second floor of the facility, a number of which are young adults with criminal records.

At Alderman Cullerton's request, and in cooperation with the 16th District Police, and the Chicago Department of Buildings, the Troubled Building Task Force Unit conducted an inspection of the facility on September 14, 2011, and found substantial non-compliance with a multitude of building and fire code violations which resulted in an agreed court order to vacate the second floor residential portion of the center.

Leading up to the September 14, 2011 inspection of the facility, 16th District police had completed 23 case reports, responded to 65 calls for service at the center and made 7 arrests of the subjects residing at this location.

"On behalf of the residents of the 38th Ward, I am grateful for the outstanding cooperation and assistance from 16th District Police Commander David McNaughton, Building Commissioner Michael Merchant and the inspectors of the Chicago Department of Buildings and Corporation Counsel David McKenzie of the Department of Law, in eliminating this nuisance from the midst of our community.  I am happy to report that since these actions were taken, we have had no criminal incidents associated with this address", Cullerton said.