Crime & Safety
State Sues Landlords Over Rejected Rental Application: Report
The landlords allegedly denied housing to a former Little League treasurer facing felony theft and fraud charges.
MCHENRY, IL — The Illinois Attorney General's Office has filed a lawsuit against two McHenry landlords accused of illegally rejecting a rental applicant because of a potential tenant's pending felony charges, according to a report by Lake and McHenry County Scanner.
The lawsuit alleges John and Morgan Goorsky violated the Illinois Human Rights Act when they refused to rent a townhouse to Philip A. Rizzo Jr., 42, a former Huntley Little League treasurer accused of stealing more than $14,000 from the organization. The lawsuit shows Rizzo applied to rent the townhouse in October 2025 but was denied after a background check revealed pending felony charges, according to the article.
State officials are seeking damages, attorney's fees and $16,000 in civil penalties, alleging the rejection constituted unlawful discrimination based on an arrest record. Rizzo, who has pleaded not guilty to the theft and fraud charges, is scheduled to stand trial in December.
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