April 9, 2015 – A woman diagnosed with post-traumatic stress syndrome because a dog once attacked her is suing her condominium association, saying she was forced to share elevator rides with dogs and their hostile owners.

Holly Geraci, wife of Chicago bankruptcy lawyer Peter Frances Geraci, says dog owners and walkers at Union Square Condominiums have physically and verbally assaulted her.

(Left) Holly and Peter Geraci at a fundraising event at Lincoln Park Zoo on November 13, 2014. Photo by Holly Myrick.

In her federal lawsuit filed on March 23, Geraci claims the condo association violated the federal Fair Housing Act and Illinois Human Rights Act by denying her request for a key to lockout the elevator as she rides down from the top floor.

Holly says a dog once attacked her while she was sitting in car and she is now anxious about being in enclosed spaces with dogs.

Dogs were first allowed at Union Square Condominiums (above) in 2004 but Geraci says the rules instituted by the association were inadequate, asking dog owners only to be respectful of residents who might have allergies or other concerns about riding in elevators with dogs.

She says dog owners and hired dog walkers routinely ignore her requests to wait for the next elevator. She claims they have barged into the elevator, sworn at her, and assaulted her. The condo association, she says, has labeled her a “troublemaker” and posted fliers about her in the building.

The Geracis have sued their association before, over a defective parapet wall that resulted in the rooftop deck being closed to residents.