I would definitely get rid of it, but I don't think it's worth much more than what you paid based on your updates.

Someone told me its very hard to sell these properties and you have to sell them at a loss if you want to get rid of them.

You can do a subject to transaction but that is not legally assuming the loan.the banks got rid of assumable mortgage long time ago. 

The city of Chicago has made a huge push to get rid of any lead service lines, so it's no surprise you have to mess with that.   

I think I would continue focusing on getting rid of debt and saving.

You want to be able to get rid of a tenant who is causing problems in the home asap as it can quickly create a hostile environment for the other 4 people living there where now you have all 5 people contemplating wanting to move. 

City  can make you get rid of all tenants and leave it vacant until you put it back as permitted and get a new CO. 

If you want to get rid of it, you need to bite the bullet and take less than you thought you were going to get.

I added a new software platform, got rid of all abandoned vehicles, raised rents, seal-coated and striped parking lot, took out loads and loads of trash, got the phone number working and started marketing to local community groups.

Meaning any of your Helocs can be closed or reduced at any point if any of your banks feel you are over leveraged, miss a payment, credit score drops, even by mistake it happens all the time.I would get rid of the Helocs and put some cash in your bank so you can use that versus a Heloc.