MACOMB – The City of Macomb's Code Enforcement Office is continuing its work to remediate a Macomb home at the center of an alleged animal hoarding case.
On May 2, nearly 40 animals were removed from the home of Heidi Erickson at 13 Hickory Grove by animal welfare and law enforcement staff. The Macomb Police Department is continuing its work on the case with the City of Macomb Community Development and Code Enforcement departments, and the case is also in the hands of the McDonough County State's Attorney for review. 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 the warrant on the second day of May, the property was 'red-tagged,' meaning it is uninhabitable. Erickson is not allowed on the property for any reason other than to clean, according to public officials.
Open code enforcement cases against the homeowner, which were obtained from the city through a Freedom of Information Act request, include: smell emanating from the residence (May 9) and overgrown grass and weeds/city mowing charges (May 13 and 20).
According to Community Development Director Miranda Lambert, the city has mowed once to date. City mowing charges are $150/hour for the first mowing, with charges of $200/hour for second and subsequent mowing.
A summons has also been sent from the City of Macomb to the Lake County Sheriff's Department to serve Erickson for a July 8 court hearing on the reported sanitation and public nuisance violations. City Attorney Lisa Scalf explained that Erickson was allowed time to remediate the property, which is provided in most code enforcement cases; however, when remediation was not completed, the city filed its complaint. The summons, which was filed in the McDonough County Circuit Clerk's office June 9, outlines under the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) Sec. 301.2: 'the owner of the premises shall maintain the premises in compliance with the provisions of the IPMC and shall not occupy or permit another person to occupy premises that are not in a sanitary and safe condition and that do not comply with the requirements of this chapter.' Other sections of the code outlined in the summons pertain to ensuring the interior of the structure is maintained in good repair, is structurally sound and sanitary, and that the interior be free from rubbish/garbage and from insect/rodent infestation.
The summons also notes that defendant's continued alleged violations 'constitute a public nuisance and poses an ongoing threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the public.' In addition, should the judge grant permission, the city is entitled to entry onto the property to remediate the violation and to remove any items of personal property constituting a nuisance or sanitation hazard.
State's Attorney Matt Kwacala told The Community News Brief that he is waiting for reports from other states and public officials; however, he stated he is planning on pursuing criminal charges against Erickson.
According to the police reports obtained via FOIA, on April 23, officers from the Macomb Police Department first visited the Hickory Grove home after failing to reach her by phone to address a reported dispute with a neighbor. Erickson purportedly refused to speak with officers. Based on the officer's observations, which included detecting the odor of animal feces and urine, as well as decomposition, emanating from the residence, on April 29, a sworn affidavit was completed and filed with the city attorney for an administrative search warrant to investigate violations related to the care, treatment and housing of animals as well as property maintenance in a sanitary condition under Illinois' Humane Care for Animals Act and the Macomb Municipal Code. The warrant was signed off by McDonough County Judge Heidi Benson on May 1, authorizing City of Macomb employees, police officers and Animal Control entry into the residence at Hickory Grove.
