My name is Mary Meyer, and my late husband and I moved into Gateway MHC in Frankfort, IL, in 1998. It was quiet and affordable, which made sense for us at the time since we were both still working. For ten years, my mother-in-law lived with us, and after retiring, my husband and I went on ski trips and motorcycle rides together.

My name is Judy Salgado, and I’ve lived in Green Meadows Estates for over eight years. I was raised on a farm out in the country, and then when I was getting older, I discovered Rockford. I’ve been here ever since. I always lived in mobile home parks, because that was how I could afford to raise three kids on my own.

My name is Stacy O'Connell, and since December 2020 I have lived with my two sons and daughter at Falcon Farms Mobile Home Park in Port Byron, Illinois (owned by Yes Communities). We’re a disabled family. All three kids and I have disabilities.

My name is Angela Palivos, and my family has lived in Candlewood Estates in Mahomet, IL, since 2005. We loved it here. As a family with a modest income – my husband and I are both singer-songwriters and he builds guitar amps – it allowed us to have a nice home and a yard. There were lots of kids around, we all watched each other’s kids.

My name is Elena Smith, and my sister and I rented a home in Lake Suzanne Mobile Home Park in Shiloh, Illinois in December of 2022. Homes of America had just bought the park, but we didn’t know anything about them. We just knew a few things didn’t work. But they said they would fix things, and it was what we could afford.

My name is Janice Prude, and my husband Sam and I have rented our house in Swansea Mobile Home Park in Swansea, Illinois for over 15 years. The people who own this place, they just don’t keep it up to par.

My name is Rick Smith, and I’ve lived in Lake Suzanne Mobile Home Park in Shiloh, IL for 17 years. My dad wasn’t doing so good, so I volunteered to come down here from Indiana and take care of him. After he died, I bought the place, fixed it up, and my son came to live with me.

My name is Don Wessely. I’m a retired federal officer, and I served in the Marine Corps for nearly two decades. In 2018, my park was purchased by Impact Communities, a company based in Colorado. Since they took over, we’ve had to fight tooth and nail to hold them accountable for breaking state and city laws.

My name is Blake Alvies, and I’ve lived in Gaslite Mobile Home Park for 6 years. We’ve had three owners since I moved in. The original owners were great, but we haven’t even had a lease since 2019. I don’t mind paying lot rent, but we don’t get anything for it.