🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Glen Ellyn, IL

Glen Ellyn Airbnb Owners Secure Court Protection, For Now

The legal tug-of-war over short-term rentals in Glen Ellyn has entered a new phase after a federal judge blocked the village from enforcing its short-term rental ordinance against a single Airbnb property. In a December 30 opinion, U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman ruled in favor of Blakelick Properties, owners of a home on Arboretum Drive, while making it clear the relief applies to no one else, for now.

The case traces back to a temporary restraining order issued in May, when Coleman first halted enforcement against the property. Since then, Glen Ellyn adopted a revised ordinance delaying the ban’s implementation until January 1, 2026. Blakelick returned to court arguing that even a delayed shutdown would cause irreversible harm to its business.

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David Blake and Melissa Footlick, who own Blakelick Properties, purchased the home in 2021 with the clear intention of using it as a short-term rental. At the time, the house sat in unincorporated DuPage County. Only later was it annexed into the village followed by the adoption of an ordinance banning short-term rentals outright.

In court filings, the couple argued that the ordinance would wipe out their investment-backed expectations. The property’s mortgage, they said, depends on short-term rental income, and forcing a shift to long-term leasing would not be economically viable. Judge Coleman agreed there was enough evidence to suggest the ordinance could amount to an unconstitutional taking of private property without just compensation.

The Black Chronicle Newspaper

Glen Ellyn can’t enforce Airbnb rules vs owner who says was target

The Black Chronicle Newspaper

Village officials have maintained the ban is necessary due to nuisance issues, including party houses, noise, and police calls. The ordinance debate gained momentum after a village official referenced an “extremely problematic” property during a public meeting, remarks the owners believe pointed directly to their home. Blake and Footlick said complaints largely came from one neighbor and accused that neighbor of repeatedly calling police to harass guests.

The owners responded by tightening house rules, adding noise monitoring and security cameras, and strengthening guest screening. They told the court that out of 115 total bookings, only one or two incidents could arguably be considered a nuisance, and both occurred before the new safeguards were implemented.

Judge Coleman also rejected the village’s argument that monetary damages would be sufficient. Citing prior appellate rulings, she noted that the potential loss of an entire business including de-platforming from Airbnb or loss of Superhost status constitutes irreparable harm.

While the injunction protects Blakelick’s property, the judge emphasized a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that limits courts from issuing broad, community-wide injunctions. As a result, Glen Ellyn’s ordinance remains in place for all other short-term rental owners.

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