Dolton, IL – June 16, 2025
Pope’s Childhood Home Sparks Legal Battle
A former Dolton village employee is trying to stop the village from using taxpayer money to buy the childhood home of Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV.
- A former Dolton employee filed a motion for a restraining order to block the village’s purchase of the Pope’s childhood home.
- The village is considering using eminent domain to acquire the property.
- The home is also up for auction, with bids closing Wednesday.
A former Dolton village employee is attempting to prevent the village from using taxpayer funds to purchase the childhood home of Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Robert Prevost. This legal challenge arises amidst financial concerns within the village.
Lavell Redmond, who has an ongoing lawsuit against Dolton, filed a motion on Sunday requesting a temporary restraining order. He alleges the village’s pursuit of the property represents an “endeavor with ample cost to taxpayers with no compelling governmental necessity.”
Mayor Jason House has stated the village may negotiate with the owner to acquire the house, located at 212 E.141st Place.He has also raised the possibility of using eminent domain.
Simultaneously occurring, an auction is underway for the home, with bids closing at 4 p.m. Chicago time on Wednesday. The home has a reserve price of $250,000.
Steve Budzik, a real estate broker representing the home’s owner, said the owner is considering bids from the auction. However, he and the auction house aren’t disclosing the level of activity or the number of bids received.
Redmond’s motion clarifies that he isn’t trying to stop the auction or a possible private sale, but rather the village’s involvement. A hearing on the restraining order request is set for Wednesday morning before U.S. district Judge mary Rowland.
“This is about responsible governance and financial integrity,” said Matthew custardo, Redmond’s attorney.”Taxpayers deserve leadership that prioritizes obligations – not optics. Pay your bills before you buy trophies.”
A Home’s history and Current Value
Pope Leo XIV lived in the home from his birth in 1955 until 1996, when his parents sold it. After he was named the leader of the Roman Catholic Church on May 8, the house gained considerable attention, prompting Dolton officials to station a police car on the block.
Dolton officials have not publicly discussed the potential acquisition of the Pope’s home during an open Village Board meeting, nor have they cited the property acquisition exception to the Open Meetings Act in any closed sessions. Though, village attorney Burt Oldeson said trustees are willing to spend village funds on the property.
In the Sunday filing, Redmond stated that Dolton is “in severe financial distress, running large deficits while drowning in liabilities,” including pending court decisions and unpaid vendor bills.
The filing further argues it’s “fiscally irresponsible for the village to divert any money” toward the purchase.
Legal Troubles and the village’s Finances
Redmond, who was fired from his village job, is also pursuing a federal lawsuit alleging his First Amendment rights were violated and that he was wrongfully terminated. Redmond worked as a code enforcement officer and volunteered for the mayoral campaign of Tiffany Henyard, who was ousted after one term by Jason House.
Redmond’s lawsuit claims he was fired after talking with a columnist in early August 2022. The column included information about Redmond’s hiring, which ignited controversy because of his status as a registered sex offender. He served 24 years in prison for a crime.
Redmond was fired immediately after a news outlet attempted to contact Henyard for comment. The lawsuit was filed in 2023.
redmond also has a pending federal lawsuit concerning a brawl at a Thornton Township Board meeting.
Did you know? The Dolton home was bought last year by a Homer Glen-based rehabber for $66,000.
The home was listed in January for $219,000 before the asking price was reduced to $199,900 in February. After news broke that the new pontiff had lived there, the home was taken off the market, and auction plans were announced.
house has said that if negotiations fail, the village might use eminent domain, allowing a court to determine the payment amount.
Budzik said the home’s connection to the Pope elaborate determining it’s potential value, which prompted the owner to take it off the market.
Custardo said that Redmond is unemployed and has “remained largely without income” since his termination. The filing says Redmond is seeking a financial settlement, but the village has stated its dire financial condition in and out of court.
A message left monday with the village’s law firm seeking comment went unanswered.
The filing alleges that the village’s pursuit of “a symbolic property while claiming indigency in court proceedings is not only hypocritical but risks irreparable harm by further depleting funds that may be necessary for judment satisfaction or service continuity.”
The Pope’s Home: A Clash of Values
The legal wrangling over Pope Leo XIV’s childhood home in Dolton, Illinois, highlights a complex interplay of factors. These include the village’s financial state, the potential historical meaning of the property, and differing opinions on how public funds should be allocated and utilized. The situation raises vital questions about community priorities.
The core of the dispute revolves around the village’s plan too acquire the home amid its financial difficulties,as detailed in the previous section. Critics like Lavell Redmond argue that the village should prioritize addressing its existing debts and liabilities before spending money on a property that, while possibly historically relevant, may not be essential. The use of taxpayer money in this case is a central point of contention.
Mayor Jason House has suggested that the village might use eminent domain – the government’s right to seize private
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