Over one year and 100 federal court dockets later, the case against a local woman for an alleged animal hoarding incident at her Macomb home remains in limbo.
On May 2, 2025, following the approval of an administrative search warrant under Illinois' Humane Care for Animals Act and the Macomb Municipal Code after a police officer's observations of the home earlier in the week, nearly 40 animals were removed from the 13 Hickory Grove home of Heidi Erickson 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. Two deceased felines were found in the refrigerator and freezer, and animal remains were found behind the appliance. The shelter initially held and cared for the animals with the help of volunteers; however, they've since been moved to temporary foster homes.
In July of last year, Erickson filed a suit in federal court naming 70 individuals and organizations, including neighbors, the Humane Society volunteers and animal shelter staff, the mayor, police and more. In the suit, which is available for review on PACER, the federal court database, Erickson alleged her civil rights have been violated under 28 U.S.C. 1983 Civil Rights. Since the removal of the animals and homeowner from the residence, and the condemned status of the home, more than 100 docket entries have been filed in U.S. District Court Central District Illinois connected with her lawsuit On May 13, 2026 notice was given to Erickson that a motion of summary judgment was filed against her asking that a judge decide all or part of the case without a trial. Erickson has 21 days to respond to the most recent motion, according to the case documents in PACER.
'If the judge finds that undisputed facts show that you cannot win your case, the judge will grant the motion for summary judgment, dismiss your claims against the movants (the party that filed the motion) and there will not be a trial on the dismissed claims. If the motion for summary judgment resolves all claims, the judge will dismiss your case and enter judgment in the movants' favor.'
Uninhabitable Designation
Upon execution of the warrant on the second day of May 2025, the property was deemed uninhabitable. In a Sept. 24, 2025 meeting of the Macomb Zoning Board of Appeals, the uninhabitable designation was upheld after being challenged by Erickson.
At that Sept. 24 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, testimony was provided from neighbors, City of Macomb community development and inspection staff and a police officer about the conditions of the residence and property, along with photos and body cam footage of the home. While the five Zoning Board members present agreed the city could maintain the status of the home and keep it 'red-tagged,' Erickson can still appeal the ruling, noted City Attorney Lisa Scalf.
Open code enforcement cases against the homeowner include smell emanating from the residence (May 9) and overgrown grass and weeds/city mowing charges (May 13 and 20). According to Scalf, the city has mowed once to date. On July 10, 2025, Erickson was scheduled for a first appearance in McDonough County Circuit Court for reported unsanitary conditions at her residence. During the hearing, Erickson, who attended via zoom, 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.
When recently asked for an update on the property, Scalf explained because the matter is currently involved in pending federal litigation, the city's outside counsel is handling the defense of the case. Therefore, the city is somewhat limited on what they can comment on publicly regarding the specifics of the property and related enforcement actions.
'The litigation remains pending and the city continues to defend its actions through that process,' Scalf said.
In regard to the condition of the property, Scalf added, generally speaking, property maintenance and code enforcement matters are handled on a complaint-driven basis and are reviewed under the city’s normal enforcement procedures.
'The existence of litigation does not necessarily prevent the city from responding to complaints or evaluating conditions at a property,' she explained. 'Other than the conditions known and presented at the time of the Zoning Board of Appeals hearing that resulted in the property being declared uninhabitable, which the determination remains in place, the city is not aware of any additional active complaints regarding mowing or exterior maintenance issues at the property. At this time, I do not have any additional substantive update regarding the litigation or enforcement process beyond what has previously been reported.'
Additional Charges Pending
In addition to the ordinance violations from the city, State's Attorney Matt Kwacala continues to investigate the situation to determine if criminal charges will be filed.
Kwacala told The Community News Brief in an earlier story about the case that his office is planning on pursuing charges; however, with the pending federal lawsuit filed by Erickson, any potential charges are currently on hold.
The back entrance to 13 Hickory Grove
Neighbors Continue to Speak Out
Since the home was shut-down last May, neighbors on both sides report they continue to live with the trash inside and outside of the home, overwhelming animal matter, pests and odors that prevent them from enjoying their outdoor space.
'It has been a year and although we are very happy the animals have all found great homes we are still left with frustration. The property remains an eyesore and the smell is back as the warmer weather returns,' Sam and Korri Cameron pointed out. 'The yard brings bugs and animals so that our family can't enjoy being outside like we should. We look forward to one day having our beautiful neighborhood back, but are frustrated without a timeline of when that may happen.'
Amanda Silberer also shared that the odor and the overgrown front and back yards have compromised their property.
'The bugs that surround this property make being outside difficult. The overgrown yard and the influx of rodents and other animals to the property is overwhelming and unsafe,' she added. 'The lawn has been mowed only once in over a year and yet as terrible as this property looks, we continue to hear that city employees continue to issue citations to local homeowners who have overgrown lawns and garbage, yet there is nothing being done about this property.'
Animals 'Thriving According to a McDonough County Animal Shelter employee, all of the animals – cats, the dog and the chicks that are all in the temporary foster homes – are 'thriving.' The Persian cats are in the care of individuals who understand the breed and their specific needs so their health has greatly improved and they continue to do well, the employee noted.
Incommunicado
The Community News Brief attempted to contact Erickson via an email address found on federal court documents to obtain a statement and to address the allegations against her, as well as previous convictions on similar charges in Massachusetts in the early-mid-2000s. At press time, a response had not been received.
Legal Issues Date Back 23+ Years
Erickson's legal woes in Macomb aren't the first time she has faced legal trouble for animal cruelty related to hoarding.
On April 28, 2003, Boston's Inspection Services Department raided Erickson's Beacon Hill apartment and reportedly found 60 frozen cats, 52 malnourished and diseased felines and one abused Great Dane. On May 7, officials raided her Watertown apartment to find a similar situation. Dubbed 'the Cat Lady' by the media, 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 2009, the State Appeals Court in Massachusetts upheld animal cruelty convictions to make it easier for Plymouth, MA prosecutors to seize a Great Dane that was in her care. Erickson eventually moved to Plymouth after her 2003 convictions of six counts of animal cruelty. In March 2009, Plymouth police charged her with nine counts of animal cruelty after they seized 11 Persian cats and a Great Dane from her Lothrop Street apartment.
In January 2011, Erickson, who was then 50, was sentenced to 90 days in jail. She had originally faced up to 20 years in prison after her conviction in December 2009 on eight counts of animal cruelty. Erickson was sentenced to 2 1/2 years of incarceration, but the sentence was suspended after she served 90 days; she was also placed on probation for five years and specifically ordered to take anger management classes and have no contact whatsoever with animals while on probation. Erickson had been living in Kentucky since Summer 2010, but faced eviction proceedings there in 2011. Bourbon County, Ky., sheriff’s deputies searched her home and found five cats and two horses living in conditions similar to those found by police at her Plymouth home, a prosecutor said.
In January 2016, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Appeals rejected Erickson's six claims and upheld the eight counts of animal cruelty convictions from a December 2010 jury trial.
