Chicago Officials Seek Closure of Ford City Mall Amid Safety Concerns

The once-bustling shopping center faces an uncertain future as the city cites hazardous conditions and lack of fire suppression.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:10pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a collection of premium, polished objects arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, representing the abstract corporate and financial challenges facing the Ford City Mall.As Chicago officials seek to close the Ford City Mall due to safety concerns, the once-bustling shopping center faces an uncertain future amid the broader challenges facing traditional retail.Chicago Today

Chicago city leaders are pushing to close the Ford City Mall on the southwest side, calling it a 'death trap' due to serious safety risks and hazardous conditions. The mall, which is down to just 16 tenants from over 120 previously, has faced ongoing issues with leaks, flooding, and a lack of fire suppression systems according to Alderman Derrick Curtis. The city initially reached an agreement with the owner to vacate tenants, but the owner and some tenants like JCPenney are fighting back in court, seeking more time to evaluate the situation. A judge has granted all parties involved seven more days before issuing a ruling on the city's emergency motion to vacate the property.

Why it matters

The potential closure of Ford City Mall highlights the broader challenges facing traditional retail centers in the Chicago area and across the country, as consumer shopping habits shift and malls struggle to adapt. The safety concerns raised by city officials also underscore the need to ensure public safety in aging commercial properties. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how municipalities address distressed malls in the future.

The details

Chicago Alderman Derrick Curtis of the 18th ward said the mall has had ongoing problems for years, including a lack of fire suppression, major water leaks in the basement that could cause the floor to give out, and other hazardous conditions. Pictures provided to the courts show repeated issues with flooding throughout the property. The city initially reached an agreement with the mall's owner, Namdar Realty Group, to vacate tenants in the main part of the mall, including JCPenney. However, JCPenney fought back in court, saying it needed more time to evaluate the notice and expressing a desire to remain open. JCPenney has renewed its lease for another five years and claims to be profitable at this location.

  • On April 16, 2026, Chicago city leaders pushed to close the Ford City Mall.
  • On April 23, 2026, a judge is scheduled to issue a ruling on the city's emergency motion to vacate the property.

The players

Derrick Curtis

Chicago Alderman for the 18th ward, who has been pushing for the mall's closure due to safety concerns.

Namdar Realty Group

The owner of the Ford City Mall, which has been accused of not addressing the hazardous conditions at the property.

JCPenney

One of the remaining anchor tenants at Ford City Mall, which has fought the city's efforts to vacate the property and has renewed its lease for another five years.

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What they’re saying

“They have no fire suppression, you have huge pipes in the basement that's leaking thousands and thousands of gallons of water per day, and they don't know where it's coming from—the floor, the ground could give out at any time because it's washing everything away.”

— Derrick Curtis, Chicago Alderman

“What if there's a fire, there's no way to contain the fire, there's no way, there's no sprinklers, nothing. So that's just a tragedy, again, waiting to happen so it's time.”

— Derrick Curtis, Chicago Alderman

“I'm a little bit sad. I've been here for a little while coming to this mall.”

— Claudia Moncada

“It's a shame I think people just grew up and like to go somewhere else maybe Oakbrook or other malls.”

— Miguel Villagomez

What’s next

The judge has granted the owner, the city, and tenants seven more days before issuing a ruling on the city's emergency motion to vacate the Ford City Mall property. The next court hearing is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 1 p.m.

The takeaway

The potential closure of the Ford City Mall highlights the broader challenges facing traditional retail centers in Chicago and across the country, as consumer shopping habits shift and malls struggle to adapt. This case also underscores the need for municipalities to ensure public safety in aging commercial properties, even as they balance the economic and community impacts of mall closures.