“Chicago Slumlords” or Freeport’s Own? The Numbers Tell a Different Story

May 01, 2025 - Freeport, IL

In 2024, the Miller administration declared war on unregistered rental properties in Freeport, promising to hold landlords accountable and enforce the city's registration ordinance with fines. Yet despite this tough talk, only one fine has been issued as of April 23, 2025—and that fine has not been collected.

Let that sink in.

In a term where the mayor has repeatedly claimed the city is broke—pushing tax increases and begging for state and federal grants—her administration has once again failed to enforce a city ordinance that could generate tens of thousands of dollars in fines. The ordinance, updated to include escalating penalties after 30 and 60 days of noncompliance, was designed to be a tool for both accountability and revenue. Instead, it's become another broken promise.

What’s worse, the mayor continues to point fingers at so-called “Chicago slumlords,” painting a narrative that’s simply not supported by the data.

A City of Freeport list dated April 23, 2025, identified over 700 suspected violations of the rental registration ordinance. Fighting4Freeport’s review found that approximately:

  • 59% of those property owners live in Freeport.

  • 22% live elsewhere in Illinois.

  • 10% are out of state.

  • Just 2% are from Chicago.

So why has Mayor Miller made it her mission over the past six months to vilify landlords as “outsiders,” when the reality is the vast majority of alleged violators are local?

This misdirection is made worse by the fact that the city's own list is riddled with errors. Fighting4Freeport found multiple properties listed as suspected violations that are:

  • Owned by the City of Freeport itself.

  • Vacant lots where homes no longer exist.

  • Incorrectly identified as rentals without any verification.

The Tolemi Program—an expensive data platform the city has used for the past two years—is supposed to help track and enforce housing regulations. Instead, it's produced a deeply flawed list, calling into question how seriously City Manager Rob Boyer and Community and Economic Development Director Wayne Duckmann are taking this issue.

Even more concerning is the presence of well-known names in Freeport on the suspect list—names like John Zajicek, Keith & Shey Lowman, Steven & Beverly Chesney, and William Green—all of whom have enjoyed financial or political support during Mayor Miller’s administration.

Is this why the city refuses to enforce the ordinance?
Because the violators include Mayor Miller’s “buddies”, campaign donors, and friends of the local Republican Party?

This marks the second consecutive year that the Miller administration has chosen not to fully enforce the ordinance—despite having the tools, the list, and a legal framework that mandates action.

It’s no longer a question of oversight. It’s a question of integrity.

Freeport’s residents and compliant landlords are owed real accountability—not political protection, not selective enforcement, and certainly not another year of empty promises.

We’re watching. And we’re not going away. Freeport residents are encouraged to contact their respective alderperson and demand that the Miller administration start following the ordinances put in place.