PRESS RELEASE | DATED: MARCH 10, 2026
Morton Grove, IL — On the evening of Saturday, March 7, 2026, at approximately 8:15 p.m., a structural support column in the ground-floor parking garage of a multi-family residential condominium building at 5935 Lincoln Avenue failed, prompting an immediate emergency response from the Village of Morton Grove Police and Fire Departments.
First responders quickly arrived on scene, assessed the situation, and began evacuating all occupants from the building. Emergency personnel safely evacuated occupants from the 28-unit building, including assisting several individuals from their balconies. No injuries were reported, and all occupants exited safely along with several pets.
Firefighters temporarily stabilized the structure Saturday night by installing emergency shoring to support the affected area. The shoring remains in place while the property’s management company, Hillcrest Property Management, Inc., works with structural engineers to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the building, which began the morning of Monday, March 9. The evaluation includes an assessment of the failed column and an inspection of other structural supports to determine the building’s overall safety and necessary remediation steps. Hillcrest will submit repair plans to the Village’s Department of Building and Inspectional Services on behalf of the condominium association for review and permit approval.
On Sunday, March 8, with support from Village Police, Fire, and Public Works staff, all but two families were escorted back into the building to retrieve essential belongings, including vehicles, medications, clothing, and other necessities. Entry was coordinated with Hillcrest and the condominium association president to verify residency and maintain safety. Vehicles were successfully removed from the garage with assistance from Lin-Mar Towing, and emergency personnel conducted a final systematic search of the building to confirm that no occupants or hazards remained.
The building remains closed to residents and the public. Occupancy will not be permitted until all identified structural deficiencies have been addressed in accordance with the structural engineer’s evaluation and recommendations, all applicable codes, and following inspection and approval by the Village. Following consultation with ComEd, electrical service to the building was restored to maintain fire protection systems while structural assessments continue.
Throughout the response, additional assistance was provided by numerous community partners. The American Red Cross remained on-site to support displaced residents and first responders, providing food, water, and assistance resources, and continues to provide support to affected residents. Wright-Way Rescue at 5915 Lincoln Avenue assisted with the care and safe transport of several animals from the building. One additional cat was located Sunday morning and reunited with its owner.
The Village is actively working with impacted residents to connect them with support services through our government partners, local nonprofit organizations, religious institutions, and other community partners that have offered assistance during this time, including State Senator Ram Villivalam, State Representative Mike Kelly, Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita, Niles Township, the Muslim Community Center (MCC), the Morton Grove Foundation, and the American Red Cross.
Village officials expressed their gratitude for the extensive mutual aid response provided by regional public safety partners. 28 fire departments from across Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) Divisions 3 and 4, along with neighboring police departments, responded to assist with the emergency. Specialized equipment, including theMABAS Division 3 command van and light tower, was also deployed. Police departments from Skokie, Park Ridge, Wilmette, Lincolnwood, and Winnetka responded to assist with scene management and resident support.
“This response demonstrated the strength of our regional partnerships and the professionalism of our first responders,” said Village Mayor Janine Witko. “We are very grateful that no one was injured. The coordinated response from dozens of agencies ensured residents were evacuated safely and that the building was stabilized quickly.”
The building remains secured and unoccupied while engineers complete their structural evaluation. The Village will continue working with residents and building management as next steps are determined. The Village also plans to review current policies and consider requirements for periodic structural assessments of multi-family buildings to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
Issued by:
Charles L. Meyer, Village Administrator
Village of Morton Grove
6101 Capulina Avenue
Morton Grove, Illinois 60053
847-663-3001