A jury ruled that the Chicago Housing Authority must pay $24 million for lead poisoning affecting two children in their housing.

The lawsuit, filed in January 2022, highlighted that CHA was aware of lead paint in their unit at 7715 North Marshfield in Rogers Park. The families claimed that CHA, along with other companies, failed to inform them about the dangers, leading to the children’s health problems.
The property was managed by different companies over the years, and inspections had previously confirmed the presence of lead paint. After a lengthy trial, the jury found CHA responsible for the children’s injuries, while the other companies were cleared of wrongdoing.
The attorney for the plaintiffs emphasized the long-term damage lead poisoning can cause, urging CHA to reflect on their practices to prevent future incidents. CHA expressed disappointment with the verdict and is considering its options moving forward.
This isn’t an isolated incident; previous investigations have shown that many children in CHA housing have been affected by lead poisoning, raising serious concerns about safety in these homes.