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Ford City Mall owner faces fines, court action over security

Ford City Mall owner faces fines, court action over security

Rule Changes Chicago, IL local

Tootsie Roll backs city's push for a receiver as Namdar misses another deadline

October 19th, 2026: Judge sets Oct. 28 deadline as city seeks fines and a receiver

Overview

Updated Nov 1

Ford City Mall's owner was ordered to file a security plan by Oct. 28, after arriving at court without one in August, September and October. Judge Diann Marsalek said she would move ahead on the city's request to appoint a receiver for the 70-acre site, and the city filed a Rule to Show Cause that could bring fines. No outcome from the deadline has been reported.

Tootsie Roll, whose plant sits next to the mall, sent lawyers to the Oct. 19 hearing to support a receiver. The City Council approved a $200 million industrial redevelopment in September, and Namdar is under contract to sell the property to Kurv Industrial.

Why it matters

The court fight decides who controls a 70-acre hazard that threatens a neighboring candy factory and the community.

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Key Indicators

132
Days since mall closure
The mall closed June 22, 2026, under court order.

Voices

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People Involved

Derrick Curtis
Derrick Curtis
Alderman, Chicago 18th Ward
Pushing for security fence and court action

Organizations Involved

Namdar Group
Namdar Group
Real estate investment firm
Was ordered to file a security plan by Oct. 28; outcome not reported. Facing fines, a receivership petition and a pending sale.

New York-based owner of the closed Ford City Mall.
CD
Chicago Department of Law
Municipal legal department
Seeking fines and a receiver for the mall

Represents the city in court actions against the mall owner.
TR
Tootsie Roll Industries
Candy manufacturer
Backing the city's push for a court-appointed receiver

Adjacent factory that has complained about security issues at the mall.

Timeline

June 2026 October 2026

8 events Latest: October 19th, 2026 · 3 weeks ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Judge sets Oct. 28 deadline as city seeks fines and a receiver

    Latest Legal

    After Namdar again failed to file a security plan, Judge Diann Marsalek gave it until Oct. 28 and said she was moving forward on the city's receivership petition. The city is filing a Rule to Show Cause over missed orders, and Tootsie Roll's lawyers joined the call for a receiver.

  2. Court hearing on security plan

    Legal

    City demands full security plan, increased presence, and limited parking lot access.

  3. Mass break-in video surfaces

    Incident

    Dozens of people peel back plywood and enter the closed mall; video posted online.

  4. Judge orders docks secured and cameras added

    Legal

    Judge Diann Marsalek ordered Namdar to secure the main mall's loading docks within 48 hours and install 16 additional security cameras by Oct. 1.

  5. Security guard suspended after viral video

    Incident

    A guard working for the mall's owners was suspended indefinitely after a video showed him hitting an 18-year-old with his car. Chicago police said no arrests or charges followed.

  6. City Council approves industrial redevelopment

    Government

    Alderpersons voted 50-0 to rezone the mall site for four industrial buildings totaling about 1.1 million square feet, a $200 million project by Kurv Industrial.

  7. Video shows men attacked by mall security guard

    Incident

    Two urban explorers say they were struck by a guard's vehicle in the parking lot.

  8. Ford City Mall closes under court order

    Legal

    Judge grants city's emergency motion over defective fire suppression system; mall shuts down.

Scenarios

1

Court appoints receiver to take over Ford City Mall

Possible Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: Ald. Derrick Curtis and community groups

If Namdar continues to miss deadlines, the court could appoint a receiver to secure the property and manage it until the sale closes. This would strip the owner of control and shift responsibility to a court-appointed manager.

2

Sale to developers closes, demolition begins

Likely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: NBC Chicago

Developers are already contracted to buy the property from Namdar, and construction is expected to begin early next year. If the sale closes, the security problem ends as the site is cleared for an industrial warehouse.

3

Owner complies with security plan, avoids fines

Unlikely Resolves by Jan 31, 2027

Discussed by: Namdar's legal team

Namdar could finally submit and implement an approved security plan, satisfying the court and avoiding fines. This would keep the owner in control but require ongoing compliance until the sale closes.

Historical Context

One moment from history that rhymes with this story — and how it unfolded.

2008-2017

Rolling Acres Mall closure (2008-2017)

Rolling Acres Mall in Akron, Ohio closed in 2008 after decades of decline. The abandoned structure became a notorious 'dead mall,' attracting vandals and urban explorers for years.

Then

The mall sat vacant and decaying, becoming a safety hazard and a drain on the surrounding community.

Now

It was finally demolished in 2017, and the land was redeveloped for industrial use.

Why this matters now

Like Ford City, Rolling Acres shows how a shuttered retail property can become a magnet for trespassing and crime until ownership is forced to act or the site is redeveloped.

Sources

(8)
+2
Block Club Chicago ABC7 Chicago NBC Chicago Chicago Sun-Times Windy City Magazine CBS Chicago The Real Deal Yahoo News