ROGERS PARK — Rogers Park resident and urban farmer Mo Cahill is "floating on clouds" after passing a recent inspection from the city that found her garden plot and mini-chicken farm were in compliance with local code.
It was good news to Cahill, who since 2014 had been battling the city for her farm after complaints to 311 led city inspectors to her property.
In August last year, Cahill said inspectors showed up unannounced to the plot of land at 1839 W. Touhy Ave. next to the two-flat building she owns and cited her for numerous violations — including stagnant water, rust, weeds, debris and more.
In all, 18 violations against her home and seven against the farm were filed.
Cahill argued many of the violations cited by the city were misconstrued, but on Dec. 31 the city sued her.
Then, last week Cahill said a city inspector showed up again to peruse her farm and house.
This time, she said, the property "passed with flying colors" and the inspection was over in minutes.
She said the inspector "barely" looked around, but they did make small talk about the legality of chickens in the city, and she assured him neither the chicken coop nor a truck on the property would leak any more fluids.
Without any new violations, she said she was told her case would likely be dismissed in December when it next goes to court.
The inspector warned her the entire process could start again if someone lodged another complaint, but it would be difficult for those complaints to hold up in court because they will have been found to be previously dismissed.
It was welcome news to Cahill.
"My lawyer and I nearly fainted," she said.
City officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. No records of any violations have been posted online since the issues noted by the city in August of last year.
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