Desperate times... We have no choice but to move.

This is by far the most humbling and humiliating thing I have ever had to do. We just got blindsided, so hard. After being in our rental with a private landlord an LLC is taking over. Just days after me having major surgery we were informed and presented with a new lease. Not only is our rent going up 60% but we are being treated as brand new renters and not a family that has established residence here for over 14 years. We are expected to also put down a new full security deposit and a pet deposit even though we have had our cats this entire time in residence. Our daughter offered to move back in to help but according to this lease, we would not be able to do that either. The increase in rent is less of the issue and the demand to pay thousands in deposits is.

Most people would just move however our son has Autism and we need to keep him in the special education program that he has worked so hard to grow into. He has blossomed in this environment. His grades are phenomenal and he is participating with his teachers and classmates. We are so proud and blown away by this progress. We also need to be able to keep our pets as they are security and comfort to him, and us to be honest.

It is winter, rentals are few and far between as most landlords don't like to have people moving in and out in bad weather and most people don't move in the middle of the school year. But even if we did somehow find something I can not physically do any packing or moving. And the market in Crystal Lake has become unsustainable for so many. After speaking with the social worker looking for resources we are not the only family facing this right now. Our state, county and city lack any rent stabilization laws or ordinances to protect renters. And with Crystal Lake approving and welcoming multiple "luxury" complexes where studio apartments start at over $1500, rents have skyrocketed. So even if we downsized, we would still be in the exact position.

We have sought council with an attorney who admitted this LLC is literally holding us over a barrel and we have no recourse. We are attempting to negotiate some aspects of the lease but not knowing who we are dealing with, I have no idea if that will be successful.

I do not know what else to do at this point. I have run out of resources as most are already overwhelmed with this problem. Neither of us have family nearby that we can rely on. I have a long road of physical recovery to get through. but we can not let our son lose his education and stability. We both work, in this community. We support and volunteer, in this community. If you can help we will be forever grateful.

I also plan on speaking at a city council meeting on the housing insecurity that is ravaging our area. Our local politicians seem to have selective blindness to the plight of families while publicly claiming to be doing what's best for the 40,000 residents.

Thank you for taking time to even read this.