Dead-Beat Landlords Force Library Closing

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jun 23, 2010 6:20PM

As if the economy and city's financial difficulties haven't been hard enough on the Chicago Public Library, now something out of their control is forcing on Northwest Side branch to close. The Galewood-Mont Clare Library at 6969 W. Grand Ave. is shutting down when it was discovered the landlords of the building - two brothers - owe the city, according to WBBM 780 AM, "$70,000 in overdue fines and fees, including property taxes, water bills and building code violations at 12 commercial and residential properties across the city." Renting from property owners who owe the city is a no-no so the library has to be shuttered; the debt was uncovered as the library was negotiating a new lease. Library Commissioner Mary Dempsey said, "We'll try to have an option open this summer. I don't know if it'll be permanent or not, but we want to get something open for the summer reading program." The library closes for the time being a week from today, Wednesday June 30, and is referring patrons to four other nearby branches for the time being.