In the latest twist in a case involving an alleged animal hoarding situation in a home on Macomb's north end, numerous residents, volunteers and city and county officials have been named in a civil suit filed in federal court.
Heidi Erickson, who lived at the 13 Hickory Grove home in which over 30 animals were removed, filed a suit in U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois July 29 naming 70 individuals and organizations. Included in the suite are neighbors, the Humane Society volunteers and animal shelter staff, the mayor, police and the list goes on. In the suit, which is available for review on PACER, the federal court database, Erickson alleges her civil rights have been violated under 28 U.S.C. 1983 Civil Rights. The response for a motion deadline is Aug. 12.
A neighbor named in the case, who has had previous interactions with the defendant, called the situation 'mind-boggling.'
'I don't understand how we come to a solution on this. Everyone is being held hostage and now we're named in a civil suit. All we've done is to look out for the best interest of the animals involved and now we're being named in a suit when we've done nothing wrong but to report conditions of the home,' the neighbor reported. 'All of this is only preventing these animals from being able to go to good, permanent homes. We've been dealing with this for the past few years, and it's just mind-boggling that this continues to occur. The buck should stop in McDonough County once and for all.'
A search in PACER also shows that Erickson has filed over 35 lawsuits since the early 2000s against cities, municipalities, businesses and individuals, most related to charges and accusations levied against her in animal hoarding/neglect cases and miscellaneous alleged infractions against her by others. She had previously filed two suits in May against the City of Macomb for alleged civil rights violations; however, those suits were dismissed. The majority of the previous lawsuits have also been dismissed, many for 'want of prosecution,' meaning the plaintiff didn't take the necessary steps to move the case forward or failed to respond to court order or deadlines. One of the cases filed, against the Cat Fanciers Association, went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court for review, and was also dismissed.
According to City Attorney Lisa Scalf, the city is not aware of any new suits and have not been served with notice of any new litigation to date. She added the city does not comment on pending legal matters.
On May 2, 2025, nearly 40 animals were removed from Erickson's home near the Macomb Country Club by animal welfare and law enforcement staff. In addition to the 30+ Persian cats, two of which were pregnant, removed from the home, three young chickens and a young English Setter breed canine were also remanded to the animal shelter. The shelter is currently holding and caring for some of the animals, while others have been moved into temporary foster homes for care. Upon execution of a warrant on the second day of May, which came after a police officer observed suspicious conditions on April 29 when responding to the home for dispute, the property was deemed uninhabitable.
Erickson is not allowed on the property for any reason other than to clean, according to public officials.
Erickson's case in Macomb isn't her first run-in with the law regarding animals in her care. More than 22 years ago, Boston's Inspection Services Department raided Erickson's Beacon Hill apartment and found 60 frozen cats, 52 malnourished and diseased felines and a neglected Great Dane.
On May 7, 2003, officials raided her Watertown apartment to find a similar situation, and she was charged with 84 counts of animal cruelty. She was forbidden from returning to her apartment and for keeping cats anywhere in Boston.
In March 2009, Plymouth police charged her with nine counts of animal cruelty after they seized 11 cats and a Great Dane from her Lothrop Street apartment, where she moved following the Boston-area charges. In January 2011, she was facing up to 20 years in prison after her conviction on eight counts of animal cruelty. Eventually, she was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison; however, the sentence was suspended after she served 90 days. She was also placed on probation for five years and ordered to take anger management classes and have no contact whatsoever with animals while on probation. In 2010, while awaiting trial in Massachusetts, she was living in Kentucky when she was found to have five cats and two horses living in conditions similar to those found by police in Massachusetts. Erickson reportedly moved to Macomb in August 2023.
McDonough County State's Attorney Matt Kwacala is investigating the reported hoarding situation. He told the Community News Brief in an earlier story his office is undergoing a thorough review of the materials, along with the reports from local law enforcement and city officials to determine potential charges.
In addition to the criminal charges in McDonough County, she is facing code violations from the City of Macomb. On July 10, Erickson was scheduled for a first appearance in McDonough County Circuit Court for reported unsanitary conditions at her residence, which remains condemned. Erickson, who is representing herself, filed a motion to dismiss the alleged ordinance violation.
During the July 10 hearing, Erickson attended via zoom, and refused personal jurisdiction of the court.
On July 22, the city filed a motion to dismiss the code violation complaint in order to provide proper notice to Erickson. Scalf noted that the city remains committed to the remediation of the public nuisance conditions at the property and will continue its efforts toward resolution. Should the property owner fail to take appropriate corrective action, the City intends to refile the case to ensure compliance with applicable ordinances.
