(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Comparing their living situation to prison, residents of an Uptown apartment complex gathered Monday with some demands for the building's owners.
It was here outside of the Major Jenkins Apartments, in the 5000 block of North Winthrop, where several residents were struck by gunfire in October.
"These tenants were nearly killed that day because of Mercy Housing's policy to not give rent-paying tenants keys," organizer Arieh Venick told the crowd.
Marcell Williams is one of those tenants and founder of the Major Jenkins Tenants Union.
"They don't give us simple things. It feels crazy to me that the staff has keys but the tenants don't. It makes us feel like we're targets and that the staff are the only ones that are safe," Williams said.
Others said the lone security guard assigned to the building is often away from the door or sometimes sleeping.
While Mercy has met with the union, members said, there's been no progress for months.
WBBM Newsradio has reached out to Mercy Housing for comment.
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok
