Chicago Avenue Inn — Attraction in West Chicago Township

BED BUGS. AVOID.

One week ago today was the conclusion of my stay at the Chicago Avenue Inn. I stayed in Room 1, on the top floor, the room closest to Chicago Avenue. I have not posted a review yet because I am fearful of further retribution from the people who operate this place, but at this point my concern for potential guests outweighs those fears.

The morning of checkout, 12/7 at 7:30AM, I notified management of possible bed bug activity in my room (pillows/bed frame) and bites to my hands, face, and neck. I provided pictures and narrative, and was instructed to leave my belongings in my room until an exterminator arrived. A man arrived at approximately 10:52AM (checkout time is 11), briefly looked over the room, then made a phone call starting with “I did find one dead one, he was pretty crunchy, but…” then turned to make eye contact with me, then left to continue the conversation out of earshot. A few minutes later I received a call from management and was told I could have until 12 at the latest to remove my belongings so the exterminator could treat the room, but also that there was no evidence of activity, so I would need to leave immediately. I asked why the room needed to be treated if there was no activity, why the contradiction about what I needed to do, and asked for documentation of my report. I stated I would leave once provided with that documentation. In response, management contacted the police, who arrived and told me to follow up via email before escorting me off the premises with no assurance from the Chicago Avenue Inn that my belongings were safe to bring on public transit or an Uber to my home, never mind bringing all my bed bug exposed belongs INTO MY HOME, risking the safety of my family, elderly pets, and belongings). I was not charged with a crime, at no point was I advised by the police to calm down/lower my voice/stop acting a particular way, etc. I was advised our conversation was recorded and have FOIA’d that info. I left without incident around 11:52AM, did my best to secure my belongings without spreading potential contagion across the city I live in, and proceeded to Jesse Brown VA for treatment of the bites.

I imagine Chicago Avenue Inn will try to refute my version of events, which is why I am happy to provide texts and call logs with management, including additional photos of the bites/activity, documentation that the same “exterminator” they picked off of google results later came to my home (because when I unexpectedly and urgently needed bed bug services guess who showed up when I called the first few Google results? Yep, same guy from Voyd Bed Bug, and he was just as happy to come to my home and say there were no beg bugs and take $100 from my husband. Again, couldn’t show his credentials), etc.

I’m giving this place two stars despite everything because I consider myself a reasonable person, and the Chicago Avenue Inn did meet my expectations prior to Saturday morning. Bed bugs are a dealbreaker, having dealt with them in the past, though, and I also don’t enjoy having police involved in consumer disputes, so I do not plan to return. I would advise against staying at the Chicago Avenue Inn or any other properties owned by CEJ LLC/Celia Chavez /424 Property Management (unclear exactly who oversees management of the property from...

Just a BUYER BEWARE for all y'all: If you are less than 14 days out from your trip and are just now reserving your stay, be VERY VERY certain this is where you want to book as you are pre-paying and will probably be stuck with it. "Reservations canceled with 14 day notice will be completely refunded. Cancellations made with less than a 14 day notice are non-refundable." And actually, be very very sure this is where you want to stay period, as if you book way in advance and anything changes within two weeks of your stay, you're stuck.

We had a flight change, and thought we needed a place for one night, so I reserved a room for a Weds night on the Sun before (3 days out). Less than 12 hours later, things changed again and we needed to cancel the room. At first, they stuck to their "if it's less than 14 days there are no cancellations" policy. Which is their right, but still felt kind of crummy. (Also, in my defense, I didn't have my glasses on the first time I read it and I thought is said 1-4 days, not 14, so I wasn't super concerned when I made the reservation.)

When I pushed back and asked nicely that they reconsider, given the points above, they cancelled our reservation but said we would get a refund "only if the room is rebooked for the same dates". Given that there is availability in the entire place at this time, in all types of rooms including one similar to the one we booked, this seems arbitrary and not much of an actual courtesy. And they're sticking to their guns because there's a "loss from the original cancellation". Not sure how you lose money on something that you didn't provide, but that's their line. So I doubt that we're actually getting a refund, and I will be staying away from this place (and their other two properties) for any future planning. I would understand if it was day of or less than 24-48 hours out, but this is way too inflexible of a policy to feel...

Just a BUYER BEWARE for all y'all: If you are less than 14 days out from your trip and are just now reserving your stay, be VERY VERY certain this is where you want to book as you are pre-paying and will probably be stuck with it. "Reservations canceled with 14 day notice will be completely refunded. Cancellations made with less than a 14 day notice are non-refundable." And actually, be very very sure this is where you want to stay period, as if you book way in advance and anything changes within two weeks of your stay, you're stuck.||We had a flight change, and thought we needed a place for one night, so I reserved a room for a Weds night on the Sun before (3 days out). Less than 12 hours later, things changed again and we needed to cancel the room. At first, they stuck to their "if it's less than 14 days there are no cancellations" policy. Which is their right, but still felt kind of crummy. (Also, in my defense, I didn't have my glasses on the first time I read it and I thought is said 1-4 days, not 14, so I wasn't super concerned when I made the reservation.)||When I pushed back and asked nicely that they reconsider, given the points above, they cancelled our reservation but said we would get a refund "only if the room is rebooked for the same dates". Given that there is availability in the entire place at this time, in all types of rooms including one similar to the one we booked, this seems arbitrary and not much of an actual courtesy. And they're sticking to their guns because there's a "loss from the original cancellation". Not sure how you lose money on something that you didn't provide, but that's their line. So I doubt that we're actually getting a refund, and I will be staying away from this place (and their other two properties) for any future planning. I would understand if it was day of or less than 24-48 hours out, but this is way too inflexible of a policy to feel...