The Illinois Standard

Shogren's defenses crack; promises probe of gouges

A barrage of fire directed at the area rent office in recent weeks by The Illinois Standard and tenants groups is beginning to force Norman B. Shogren, rent chief, into retreat.

Shogren this week conceded gross overcharges in sub-standard dwellings which months ago were cut up by landlords who then multiplied rentals for these flats.

The rent czar also admitted that he has the power to knock down new rents set by landlords after they divide up apartments and partially furnish them in order to evade previous legal ceilings.

Shogren's promise to "look into the matter" was seen as a very tentative optimistic note for tenants who have been hit by this landlords' rent-raising gimmick which has swept like a plague through slum areas in the city.

Following a series in The Standard exposing rent hikes to as much as $28.50 per week for unheated flats previously set at $10 per month, Shogren this week was visited by Mrs. Gertrude Noyes, chairman of the Near North Side Tenants Council, who demanded action and obtained the promise of investigation.

Meantime the Progressive Party leveled a new volley at Shogren in an eight point demand that his office be overhauled its entire procedure in order to provide adequate protection to the renting population of Chicago.

The Progressives recommended:

That with every request for a rent increase the tenant be given a hearing on adequate notice.

That in every case where the landlord sets a new rental on controlled housing, the rent office immediately investigate the rental and hold hearings on its legality and fairness.

That the rent office check on new registrations for the past two years, since literally thousands of sub-standard apartments have been registered without investigation or approval, and where the tenants are paying or have been paying a clearly excessive rental.

That before new rentals are established either by petition or by new registration, the tenant should be a) informed of the landlord's registration or request for a new rental; b) given a hearing on the issue of whether the rental is fair; c) provided an adequate opportunity for review and appeal.

In cases where the landlord has been charging an illegal rental either by non-registration or by registration which has not been investigated and approved, and which is excessive, the rent office take action to retroactively obtain refunds.

• That in cases where the landlord files a review on a new rental, until the same is investigated and approved by the rent office with a hearing as above, the old rental in the dwelling unit should remain and continue to be the rental.

That the rent office investigate complaints of tenants in so-called de-controlled new conversion units, since most of these dwellings are neither de-controlled nor converted. (Landlords thus evict tenants, divide the flat with wallboard and double or triple rent).

That in no case should the landlord be allowed to obtain an increased rental because of a change from an unfurnished to a furnished apartment without notice and a hearing for the tenant.