A group of tenants is putting Chicago’s controversial Northwest Side Preservation Ordinance to the test by suing their landlord, his broker and Compass for allegedly violating its terms.

Residents of 2417 North Albany Avenue in the trendy Logan Square neighborhood claim their landlord, James Feeney of Traverse City, Michigan, and his broker, Stuart Schwartz of Compass, failed to properly notify them that Feeney was listing the property for sale.

The length of time varies depending on the size of the building, but in this case it was supposed to be a 30-day window, according to the lawsuit.

During that time period, according to the ordinance, a landlord cannot evict tenants without “just cause,” such as violations of the lease agreement. 

The lawsuit claims the landlord did not renew at least one tenant’s lease due to a pending sale of the property, violating the just clause eviction provision of the ordinance. 

Attempts to communicate with the landlord and the broker about the ordinance were unsuccessful, the lawsuit claims. 

She said the tenants have been actively working with third parties to gauge interest in making an offer on the tenants association’s behalf.

“They have not had their chance to meaningfully evaluate a community-minded buyer who can help preserve the building’s affordability,” she said. 

The lawsuit, filed in Cook County Court last week, is one of the first tests of the city’s ability to enforce the housing preservation ordinance. The ordinance covers parts of the Northwest Side of the city in an attempt to slow gentrification. 

Ford Realty Menu of Flat Fee Listings for Boston and the North Shore

Buyers receive 60% rebate from our portion of the broker fee

As a home seller, it sounds like you have a solid grasp of the current 2026 landscape for flat-fee listings in the Boston and North Shore areas. Here is a concise breakdown of how those Ford Realty tiers typically function based on the service levels you’ve identified:

1. Basic “Entry Only” – $500.00

• Visibility: Your home is listed on the local MLS, which syndicates to Zillow, Realtor.com, and local brokerage sites.
• Your Role: You are the primary point of contact. You handle photography, scheduling all showings, vetting buyers, and all contract negotiations.
• Best for: Experienced sellers or those comfortable managing real estate paperwork and logistics independently. 

2. Flat Fee (Assisted) – Starting at $1,500.00

• The Upgrade: The broker takes professional photos and handles the listing setup.
• Added Support: You gain professional guidance for the initial setup, ensuring the listing looks polished to attract higher-quality leads.
• Broker Role: 60-day listing, one open house per month, schedule day and evening showings. The negative is that the full fee is due after 60 days even if the house/condo doesn’t sell or go under agreement.

3. Full-Service – 1% Commission 

• The Full Package: Professional photography and floor plans are included.
• Active Management: The broker hosts one open house per month and handles day/evening showings.
• Logistics: They are physically present for the BFD smoke detector inspection and the home inspection, taking significant stress off your plate. 

Key Financial Reminders

• Buyer’s Side: Regardless of your flat fee, remember to factor in the 2%–3% commission for the buyer’s agent to keep your home competitive.
• Tax/Closing: Budget for the MA transfer tax ($4.56 per $1,000) and ensure all Condo fees are cleared to avoid delays at closing. 

BUYERS REBATE

Boston and North Shore Buyers: We provide a 55% rebate of our commission to you, as the buyer, for homes priced over 500,000.