(55 ILCS 5/5-41055)
Sec. 5-41055.
Collection of unpaid fines or other sanctions.
(a) Any fine or other sanction or costs imposed, or
any
part of any fine or other
sanction or costs imposed, remaining unpaid after the exhaustion of or failure
to exhaust procedures for judicial review under the Administrative Review Law
is a debt due and owed to the county and, as such, may be collected in
accordance with applicable law. Any subsequent owner or transferee of property
takes subject to this debt if a notice has been filed pursuant to Section
5-41050.
(b) After expiration of the period within which judicial review under the
Administrative Review Law may be sought for a final determination of the
code violation, the county may commence a proceeding in the circuit court of
the
county for purposes of obtaining a judgment on the
hearing officer's
findings, decision, and
order. Nothing in this Section prevents a county from consolidating
multiple findings, decisions, and orders against a person or property in such a
proceeding.
(c) Upon commencement of the action, the county shall file a certified
copy of the findings, decision, and order, which shall be accompanied by a
certification that recites facts sufficient to show that the findings,
decision,
and order were issued in accordance with this
Division 5-41 and the applicable county
ordinance. Service of the summons and a copy of the petition may be by any
method provided by Section 2-203 of the Code of Civil Procedure or by certified
mail, return receipt requested, provided that the total amount of fines
or
other
sanctions and costs imposed by the findings, decision, and order does not
exceed
$5,000.
(d) If the court is satisfied that the findings, decision, and order were
entered within the requirements of this Division 5-41 and the applicable county
ordinance and that the respondent had an opportunity for a hearing under this
Division 5-41 and for judicial review as provided in Section 5-41045:
(1) The court shall render judgment in favor of the |