The city of Chicago has issued a stop-work order this property at 1906 N. Hoyne Ave., which was featured on “Windy City Rehab.” The order says the developers didn’t have permits to build the garage.

‘Windy City Rehab’ legal drama explained: Documents, interviews and more on the lawsuits behind the show

From permit violations to stop-work orders to lawsuits alleging shoddy construction and fraud, the show has garnered plenty of controversy for hosts Alison Victoria and Donovan Eckhardt.

By Caroline Hurley | October 6, 2020 at 12:56 PM

“Windy City Rehab,” HGTV’s popular show featuring remodels of Chicago homes, feels more like a legal drama these days. From permit violations to stop-work orders to lawsuits alleging shoddy construction and fraud, the show has garnered plenty of controversy.

Hosted by designer Alison Victoria and contractor Donovan Eckhardt, the show is now in its second season. After taking a longer hiatus between seasons one and two to address multiple lawsuits, the second season has brought its fair share of drama. Eckhardt and Victoria’s relationship seemingly breaks down in the new season under the strain of the lawsuits.

Just how much legal drama causes the hosts to split up? We’ve rounded up our coverage of all the real-life complaints and suits facing the show.

16 Total Updates Since
May 29, 2019 05:45 PM

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July 21, 2021 02:32 PM

All homes featured on ‘Windy City Rehab’ have now been sold

By Mitch Dudek

The last home to remain on the market sold Monday for far less than the original asking price.
July 15, 2021 11:47 AM

Defamation lawsuit filed by ‘Windy City Rehab’ co-host dismissed by Cook County judge

By Mitch Dudek

The judge said Donovan Eckhardt’s contract with showrunners called for litigation to be handled in California courts.
May 17, 2021 02:57 PM

‘Windy City Rehab’ co-host had to get permission to shave his beard — and more details from his contract that have surfaced in court

By Mitch Dudek

Eckhardt’s contract with showrunners provides a glimpse behind the curtain of reality television
March 30, 2021 09:57 PM

Were Alison Victoria’s tears real? Lawsuit questions ‘Windy City Rehab’ episode showing falling out with her costar

By Mitch Dudek

The claims were made in a new filing Tuesday by former show co-host Donovan Eckhardt, who is seeking $2.2 million in a defamation lawsuit.
January 11, 2021 09:09 PM

‘Windy City Rehab’ co-host sues for $2.2M, says Alison Victoria, HGTV falsely paint him as ‘villain’ on reality show

By Stephanie Zimmermann and Mitch Dudek

The suit states that Chicago contractor Donovan Eckhardt “has suffered from depression, sleeplessness, loss of appetite” and has undergone counseling for the “embarrassing, traumatic and humiliating” experience.
October 08, 2020 09:45 PM

Couple looks to stop Windy City Rehab’s Alison Victoria from selling her Bucktown home

By Tom Schuba

The jilted couple’s attorney claimed that Victoria is “fraudulently attempting to sell and liquidate whatever equity she has in her personal home and transfer the funds to an LLC she co-owns with her boyfriend.”
June 17, 2020 01:04 PM

‘Windy City Rehab’ stars defrauded us, says investors’ suit accusing them of siphoning cash

By Stephanie Zimmermann

A onetime friend of the HGTV reality TV show’s Donovan Eckhardt says his family put up $3 million based on false claims of flipping expertise and relationships with City Hall.
May 27, 2020 06:30 PM

‘Windy City Rehab’ star wants lawsuit over $1.33M Bucktown home tossed out of court

By Stephanie Zimmermann

Alison Victoria’s attorney argues that the buyers are trying to bully her into settling “baseless” claims.
April 15, 2020 08:00 PM

‘Windy City Rehab’ sued again for fraud, this time over $1.3M home dubbed ‘House of Horrors’ on HGTV show

By Stephanie Zimmermann

The lawsuit alleging shoddy work on a home in Bucktown says the buyers were “just another young family to woo and take advantage of” by the show’s stars.
February 21, 2020 04:38 PM

‘Windy City Rehab’ host says her name was forged on documents that could cost her big bucks

By Mitch Dudek

Away from the cameras, the home flipping reality TV show has recently taken on the tone of a legal drama.