State of Illinois
90th General Assembly
Legislation

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90_SB0596enr

          Amends the Clerks of Courts Act.  Adds  a  caption  to  a
      Section concerning election of clerks.
                                                     LRB9003274DJcc
SB596 Enrolled                                 LRB9003274DJcc
 1        AN ACT concerning local government, amending named Acts.
 2        Be  it  enacted  by  the People of the State of Illinois,
 3    represented in the General Assembly:
 4        Section 2.  The Open Meetings Act is amended by  changing
 5    Section 1.02 as follows:
 6        (5 ILCS 120/1.02) (from Ch. 102, par. 41.02)
 7        Sec. 1.02.  For the purposes of this Act:
 8        "Meeting"  means  any gathering of a majority of a quorum
 9    of the members of a public  body  held  for  the  purpose  of
10    discussing public business.
11        "Public   body"   includes  all  legislative,  executive,
12    administrative or advisory bodies  of  the  state,  counties,
13    townships,   cities,  villages,  incorporated  towns,  school
14    districts  and  all  other  municipal  corporations,  boards,
15    bureaus, committees or commissions of  this  State,  and  any
16    subsidiary  bodies  of any of the foregoing including but not
17    limited to committees and subcommittees which  are  supported
18    in  whole  or  in  part  by  tax revenue, or which expend tax
19    revenue,  except  the  General  Assembly  and  committees  or
20    commissions thereof. "Public body"  includes  tourism  boards
21    and  convention  or  civic  center boards located in counties
22    that are contiguous to the Mississippi River with populations
23    of more than 250,000 but less  than  300,000.  "Public  body"
24    does  not include a child death review team established under
25    the Child Death Review Team Act.
26    (Source: P.A. 88-614, eff. 9-7-94.)
27        Section   3.   The  Public  Building  Commission  Act  is
28    amended by changing Section 22.1 as follows:
29        (50 ILCS 20/22.1) (from Ch. 85, par. 1052.1)
SB596 Enrolled             -2-                 LRB9003274DJcc
 1        Sec. 22.1. (a) Any Public Building Commission  which  has
 2    not  issued  any  bonds,  and has no indebtedness, and has no
 3    operational leases may be dissolved upon the filing,  by  the
 4    presiding  officer of the municipality, county seat or county
 5    board which organized such Commission, in the office  of  the
 6    recorder a copy of a resolution adopted by the governing body
 7    of  such  municipality, county seat or county board approving
 8    such dissolution.
 9        (b)  Any Public Building Commission which  has  fulfilled
10    the purpose for which it was created, and all bonds issued by
11    it  and  all  of its contractual obligations except personnel
12    contracts have been paid, may be dissolved, upon  the  filing
13    by  the presiding officer of the municipality, county seat or
14    county board which organized such Commission, in  the  office
15    of  the  recorder,  a  copy  of  a  resolution adopted by the
16    governing body of such municipality, county  seat  or  county
17    board  approving  such  dissolution.  Upon the dissolution of
18    such Commission pursuant to this subsection, the Treasurer of
19    the Commission shall cause  all  remaining  funds  under  his
20    control   to   be   transferred   to  the  Treasurer  of  the
21    municipality, county  seat  or  county  which  organized  the
22    Commission.
23    (Source: P.A. 83-358.)
24        Section  5.   The  Counties  Code  is amended by changing
25    Sections 5-1022 and 5-1121, by adding Sections  5-1052.5  and
26    5-1124, and by adding Division 5-41 to Article 5 as follows:
27        (55 ILCS 5/5-1022) (from Ch. 34, par. 5-1022)
28        Sec. 5-1022. Competitive bids.
29        (a)  Any  purchase  by a county with fewer than 2,000,000
30    inhabitants of services, materials, equipment or supplies  in
31    excess of $10,000, other than professional services, shall be
32    contracted for in one of the following ways:
SB596 Enrolled             -3-                 LRB9003274DJcc
 1             (1)  by  a  contract  let  to the lowest responsible
 2        bidder  after  advertising  for  bids  in   a   newspaper
 3        published  within  the  county  or,  if  no  newspaper is
 4        published within the  county,  then  a  newspaper  having
 5        general circulation within the county; or
 6             (2)  by  a contract let without advertising for bids
 7        in the case of an emergency if authorized by  the  county
 8        board.
 9        (b)  In  determining  the  lowest responsible bidder, the
10    county board shall take into consideration the  qualities  of
11    the    articles   supplied;   their   conformity   with   the
12    specifications; their suitability to the requirements of  the
13    county,  availability  of support services; uniqueness of the
14    service, materials, equipment, or supplies as it  applies  to
15    networked,  integrated  computer  systems;  compatibility  to
16    existing equipment; and the delivery terms.  The county board
17    also  may  take  into  consideration  whether  a  bidder is a
18    private enterprise  or  a  State-controlled  enterprise  and,
19    notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of  this Section or a
20    lower  bid  by  a  State-controlled  enterprise,  may  let  a
21    contract to the lowest responsible bidder that is  a  private
22    enterprise.
23        (c)  This Section does not apply to contracts by a county
24    with   the   federal  government  or  to  purchases  of  used
25    equipment, purchases at auction or similar transactions which
26    by their very nature are not suitable  to  competitive  bids,
27    pursuant to an ordinance adopted by the county board.
28        (d)  Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of this Section, a
29    county may let without advertising for bids in  the  case  of
30    purchases and contracts, when individual orders do not exceed
31    $25,000,  for  the  use,  purchase,  delivery,  movement,  or
32    installation  of  data  processing  equipment,  software,  or
33    services  and telecommunications and inter-connect equipment,
34    software, and services.
SB596 Enrolled             -4-                 LRB9003274DJcc
 1    (Source: P.A. 87-1208; 88-150.)
 2        (55 ILCS 5/5-1052.5 new)
 3        Sec. 5-1052.5.  Contracts to care for vacant  residential
 4    real estate.
 5        (a)  A person, except for the servicer of a mortgage loan
 6    acting  in  that  capacity,  who  contracts  with the federal
 7    government  or  any  of  its  agencies,  including,   without
 8    limitation,  the Department of Housing and Urban Development,
 9    to care for vacant residential real estate is responsible for
10    maintaining the property to prevent and  correct  health  and
11    sanitation code violations.
12        (b)  A person who violates this Section is subject to the
13    findings,  decision,  and  order  of  a  hearing  officer  as
14    provided in Division 5-41.
15        (c)  A  person who intentionally violates this Section is
16    guilty of a business offense and shall be fined not less than
17    $500 and not more than $1,000.
18        (55 ILCS 5/5-1121)
19        Sec. 5-1121.  Demolition, repair, or enclosure.
20        (a)  The county board of each county may  upon  a  formal
21    request  by  the city, village or incorporated town demolish,
22    repair, or  enclose  or  cause  the  demolition,  repair,  or
23    enclosure  of  dangerous  and unsafe buildings or uncompleted
24    and abandoned buildings within the territory of  the  county,
25    but outside not within the territory of any municipality, and
26    may remove or cause the removal of garbage, debris, and other
27    hazardous, noxious, or unhealthy substances or materials from
28    those  buildings. In any county having adopted, by referendum
29    or otherwise, a  county  health  department  as  provided  by
30    Division  5-25  of  the Counties Code or its predecessor, the
31    county board of any such county may upon a formal request  by
32    the  city,  village, or incorporated town demolish, repair or
SB596 Enrolled             -5-                 LRB9003274DJcc
 1    cause the  demolition  or  repair  of  dangerous  and  unsafe
 2    buildings  or  uncompleted and abandoned buildings within the
 3    territory of any city, village, or incorporated town having a
 4    population of less than 50,000.
 5        The county board shall apply to the circuit court of  the
 6    county  in  which  the  building  is located (i) for an order
 7    authorizing action to be taken with respect to a building  if
 8    the  owner  or  owners  of  the  building, including the lien
 9    holders of record, after at least 15 days' written notice  by
10    mail to do so, have failed to commence proceedings to put the
11    building in a safe condition or to demolish it or (ii) for an
12    order  requiring  the  owner or owners of record to demolish,
13    repair, or enclose the building or to remove garbage, debris,
14    and other hazardous,  noxious,  or  unhealthy  substances  or
15    materials  from  the  building.   It  is not a defense to the
16    cause of action that the building is boarded up or  otherwise
17    enclosed,  although the court may order the defendant to have
18    the building boarded up or otherwise  enclosed.  Where,  upon
19    diligent  search, the identity or whereabouts of the owner or
20    owners of the building, including the lien holders of record,
21    is not ascertainable, notice mailed to the person or  persons
22    in  whose  name  the  real  estate  was last assessed and the
23    posting of  such  notice  upon  the  premises  sought  to  be
24    demolished  or  repaired  is  sufficient  notice  under  this
25    Section.
26        The  hearing  upon  the  application to the circuit court
27    shall be expedited by the court and shall be given precedence
28    over all other suits.
29        The cost of the demolition, repair, enclosure, or removal
30    incurred by the county, by an intervenor, or by a lien holder
31    of record, including court costs, attorney's fees, and  other
32    costs   related  to  the  enforcement  of  this  Section,  is
33    recoverable from the owner or owners of the  real  estate  or
34    the  previous  owner  or both if the property was transferred
SB596 Enrolled             -6-                 LRB9003274DJcc
 1    during the 15 day notice period and is a  lien  on  the  real
 2    estate;  the lien is superior to all prior existing liens and
 3    encumbrances, except taxes, if, within  180  days  after  the
 4    repair,  demolition,  enclosure,  or removal, the county, the
 5    lien holder of record, or the  intervenor  who  incurred  the
 6    cost and expense shall file a notice of lien for the cost and
 7    expense  incurred in the office of the recorder in the county
 8    in which the real estate is located or in the office  of  the
 9    registrar of titles of the county if the real estate affected
10    is registered under the Registered Titles (Torrens) Act.
11        The  notice must consist of a sworn statement setting out
12    (1) a description of  the  real  estate  sufficient  for  its
13    identification, (2) the amount of money representing the cost
14    and expense incurred, and (3) the date or dates when the cost
15    and  expense  was  incurred by the county, the lien holder of
16    record, or the intervenor.  Upon  payment  of  the  cost  and
17    expense by the owner of or persons interested in the property
18    after  the  notice  of lien has been filed, the lien shall be
19    released by the county, the person in whose name the lien has
20    been filed, or the assignee of the lien, and the release  may
21    be  filed  of record as in the case of filing notice of lien.
22    Unless the lien is enforced under subsection  (b),  the  lien
23    may  be enforced by foreclosure proceedings as in the case of
24    mortgage foreclosures under Article XV of the Code  of  Civil
25    Procedure  or  mechanics'  lien  foreclosures.  An  action to
26    foreclose this lien may be commenced at any  time  after  the
27    date  of  filing  of  the  notice  of  lien.   The  costs  of
28    foreclosure  incurred  by  the county, including court costs,
29    reasonable  attorney's  fees,  advances   to   preserve   the
30    property,  and other costs related to the enforcement of this
31    subsection, plus statutory interest, are a lien on  the  real
32    estate  and  are  recoverable by the county from the owner or
33    owners of the real estate.
34        All liens arising under  this  subsection  (a)  shall  be
SB596 Enrolled             -7-                 LRB9003274DJcc
 1    assignable.  The  assignee  of  the  lien shall have the same
 2    power to enforce the lien as the assigning party, except that
 3    the lien may not be enforced under subsection (b).
 4        If the appropriate official of any county determines that
 5    any  dangerous  and  unsafe  building  or   uncompleted   and
 6    abandoned   building   within   its  territory  fulfills  the
 7    requirements for an action by the county under the  Abandoned
 8    Housing  Rehabilitation  Act,  the  county may petition under
 9    that Act in a proceeding brought under this subsection.
10        (b)  In any case where a county has obtained a lien under
11    subsection (a), the county may enforce the  lien  under  this
12    subsection  (b)  in  the same proceeding in which the lien is
13    authorized.
14        A county desiring to enforce a lien under this subsection
15    (b) shall petition  the  court  to  retain  jurisdiction  for
16    foreclosure proceedings under this subsection.  Notice of the
17    petition shall be served, by certified or registered mail, on
18    all persons who were served notice under subsection (a).  The
19    court  shall  conduct a hearing on the petition not less than
20    15 days after the notice is served.  If the court  determines
21    that  the  requirements  of  this  subsection  (b)  have been
22    satisfied,  it  shall   grant   the   petition   and   retain
23    jurisdiction over the matter until the foreclosure proceeding
24    is  completed.   The  costs  of  foreclosure  incurred by the
25    county, including court costs,  reasonable  attorneys'  fees,
26    advances to preserve the property, and other costs related to
27    the  enforcement of this subsection, plus statutory interest,
28    are a lien on the real estate  and  are  recoverable  by  the
29    county  from  the owner or owners of the real estate.  If the
30    court denies the petition, the county may enforce the lien in
31    a separate action as provided in subsection (a).
32        All persons designated in Section 15-1501 of the Code  of
33    Civil   Procedure   as   necessary   parties  in  a  mortgage
34    foreclosure action shall be joined as parties before issuance
SB596 Enrolled             -8-                 LRB9003274DJcc
 1    of an order of foreclosure.  Persons  designated  in  Section
 2    15-1501 of the Code of Civil Procedure as permissible parties
 3    may also be joined as parties in the action.
 4        The  provisions  of  Article  XV  of  the  Code  of Civil
 5    Procedure applicable to mortgage foreclosures shall apply  to
 6    the  foreclosure  of a lien under this subsection (b), except
 7    to the extent that those  provisions  are  inconsistent  with
 8    this  subsection.    For  purposes  of  foreclosures of liens
 9    under  this  subsection,  however,  the   redemption   period
10    described in subsection (b) of Section 15-1603 of the Code of
11    Civil  Procedure shall end 60 days after the date of entry of
12    the order of foreclosure.
13        (c)  In addition to any other remedy provided by law, the
14    county board of any county may petition the circuit court  to
15    have  property  declared  abandoned under this subsection (c)
16    if:
17             (1)  the property has been tax delinquent for  2  or
18        more  years  or  bills for water service for the property
19        have been outstanding for 2 or more years;
20             (2)  the property is unoccupied by  persons  legally
21        in possession; and
22             (3)  the  property  contains  a  dangerous or unsafe
23        building.
24        All persons having an interest of record in the property,
25    including  tax  purchasers  and  beneficial  owners  of   any
26    Illinois  land  trust  having title to the property, shall be
27    named as defendants in the petition and shall be served  with
28    process.   In  addition,  service  shall be had under Section
29    2-206 of the Code  of  Civil  Procedure  as  in  other  cases
30    affecting property.
31        The county, however, may proceed under this subsection in
32    a  proceeding  brought  under  subsection (a).  Notice of the
33    petition shall be served by certified or registered  mail  on
34    all persons who were served notice under subsection (a).
SB596 Enrolled             -9-                 LRB9003274DJcc
 1        If  the  county  proves  that the conditions described in
 2    this subsection exist and the owner of record of the property
 3    does not enter an appearance in the action, or, if  title  to
 4    the  property  is  held by an Illinois land trust, if neither
 5    the owner of record nor the owner of the beneficial  interest
 6    of  the  trust  enters an appearance, the court shall declare
 7    the property abandoned.
 8        If that determination is made, notice shall  be  sent  by
 9    certified  or  registered  mail  to  all  persons  having  an
10    interest  of record in the property, including tax purchasers
11    and beneficial owners of any Illinois land trust having title
12    to the property, stating that title to the property  will  be
13    transferred  to  the  county  unless,  within  30 days of the
14    notice, the owner of  record  enters  an  appearance  in  the
15    action,  or unless any other person having an interest in the
16    property files with the  court  a  request  to  demolish  the
17    dangerous  or  unsafe building or to put the building in safe
18    condition.
19        If the owner of record enters an appearance in the action
20    within the 30 day period, the court shall  vacate  its  order
21    declaring  the  property abandoned.  In that case, the county
22    may amend its complaint  in  order  to  initiate  proceedings
23    under subsection (a).
24        If  a request to demolish or repair the building is filed
25    within the 30 day period, the court shall grant permission to
26    the requesting party to demolish the building within 30  days
27    or  to  restore the building to safe condition within 60 days
28    after the request is granted.  An extension  of  that  period
29    for up to 60 additional days may be given for good cause.  If
30    more than one person with an interest in the property files a
31    timely  request, preference shall be given to the person with
32    the lien or other interest of the highest priority.
33        If the requesting party proves  to  the  court  that  the
34    building  has  been  demolished  or  put  in a safe condition
SB596 Enrolled             -10-                LRB9003274DJcc
 1    within the period of time granted by  the  court,  the  court
 2    shall issue a quitclaim judicial deed for the property to the
 3    requesting party, conveying only the interest of the owner of
 4    record,  upon  proof  of  payment  to the county of all costs
 5    incurred  by  the  county  in  connection  with  the  action,
 6    including but not limited to court  costs,  attorney's  fees,
 7    administrative  costs,  the  costs,  if  any, associated with
 8    building enclosure or removal, and  receiver's  certificates.
 9    The  interest in the property so conveyed shall be subject to
10    all liens and encumbrances on the property.  In addition,  if
11    the interest is conveyed to a person holding a certificate of
12    purchase  for  the  property under the Property Tax Code, the
13    conveyance shall be subject to the rights  of  redemption  of
14    all  persons entitled to redeem under that Act, including the
15    original owner of record.
16        If no person with an interest in  the  property  files  a
17    timely  request  or if the requesting party fails to demolish
18    the building or put the building in safe condition within the
19    time specified by the court,  the  county  may  petition  the
20    court  to  issue  a  judicial  deed  for  the property to the
21    county.  A conveyance  by  judicial  deed  shall  operate  to
22    extinguish all existing ownership interests in, liens on, and
23    other interest in the property, including tax liens.
24        (d)  Each   county   may   use  the  provisions  of  this
25    subsection to expedite the removal of certain buildings  that
26    are  a  continuing  hazard to the community in which they are
27    located.
28        If a residential building is 2 stories or less in  height
29    as  defined  by  the county's building code, and the official
30    designated to be in charge of enforcing the county's building
31    code determines that the building is open and vacant  and  an
32    immediate and continuing hazard to the community in which the
33    building is located, then the official shall be authorized to
34    post  a  notice not less than 2 feet by 2 feet in size on the
SB596 Enrolled             -11-                LRB9003274DJcc
 1    front of the building.  The notice shall be dated as  of  the
 2    date  of the posting and shall state that unless the building
 3    is demolished, repaired, or enclosed, and unless any garbage,
 4    debris, and other hazardous, noxious, or unhealthy substances
 5    or materials are removed so that an immediate and  continuing
 6    hazard  to  the community no longer exists, then the building
 7    may be demolished, repaired, or  enclosed,  or  any  garbage,
 8    debris, and other hazardous, noxious, or unhealthy substances
 9    or materials may be removed, by the county.
10        Not  later  than  30  days  following  the posting of the
11    notice, the county shall do both of the following:
12             (1)  Cause to be sent,  by  certified  mail,  return
13        receipt  requested,  a  notice to all owners of record of
14        the property, the beneficial owners of any Illinois  land
15        trust  having  title to the property, and all lienholders
16        of record in the property,  stating  the  intent  of  the
17        county  to  demolish,  repair, or enclose the building or
18        remove any garbage, debris, or other hazardous,  noxious,
19        or  unhealthy  substances  or materials if that action is
20        not taken by the owner or owners.
21             (2)  Cause to be published, in a newspaper published
22        or  circulated  in  the  county  where  the  building  is
23        located, a notice setting forth  (i)  the  permanent  tax
24        index  number  and  the  address  of the building, (ii) a
25        statement that  the  property  is  open  and  vacant  and
26        constitutes  an  immediate  and  continuing hazard to the
27        community, and (iii) a statement that the county  intends
28        to  demolish,  repair,  or enclose the building or remove
29        any garbage, debris,  or  other  hazardous,  noxious,  or
30        unhealthy  substances or materials if the owner or owners
31        or lienholders of record fail  to  do  so.   This  notice
32        shall be published for 3 consecutive days.
33        A  person objecting to the proposed actions of the county
34    board may file his or her objection in an appropriate form in
SB596 Enrolled             -12-                LRB9003274DJcc
 1    a court of competent jurisdiction.
 2        If the building is not demolished, repaired, or enclosed,
 3    or the garbage,  debris,  or  other  hazardous,  noxious,  or
 4    unhealthy  substances or materials are not removed, within 30
 5    days of mailing the notice  to  the  owners  of  record,  the
 6    beneficial  owners of any Illinois land trust having title to
 7    the property, and all lienholders of record in the  property,
 8    or  within  30  days  of  the  last day of publication of the
 9    notice, whichever is later, the county board shall  have  the
10    power  to  demolish,  repair,  or  enclose the building or to
11    remove any garbage, debris, or other hazardous,  noxious,  or
12    unhealthy substances or materials.
13        The  county may proceed to demolish, repair, or enclose a
14    building or remove any garbage, debris, or  other  hazardous,
15    noxious,  or  unhealthy  substances  or  materials under this
16    subsection within a 120-day period following the date of  the
17    mailing  of the notice if the appropriate official determines
18    that the demolition, repair, enclosure,  or  removal  of  any
19    garbage,  debris,  or  other hazardous, noxious, or unhealthy
20    substances or materials is necessary to remedy the  immediate
21    and  continuing  hazard.   If,  however,  before  the  county
22    proceeds   with   any  of  the  actions  authorized  by  this
23    subsection, any  person  has  sought  a  hearing  under  this
24    subsection  before  a  court  and  has  served  a copy of the
25    complaint on the chief executive officer of the county,  then
26    the  county  shall  not  proceed with the demolition, repair,
27    enclosure, or removal of garbage, debris, or other substances
28    until the court determines that that action is  necessary  to
29    remedy  the hazard and issues an order authorizing the county
30    to do so.
31        Following the  demolition,  repair,  or  enclosure  of  a
32    building,  or  the  removal  of  garbage,  debris,  or  other
33    hazardous,  noxious,  or  unhealthy  substances  or materials
34    under this subsection, the county may file a notice  of  lien
SB596 Enrolled             -13-                LRB9003274DJcc
 1    against  the  real  estate  for  the  cost of the demolition,
 2    repair, enclosure, or  removal  within  180  days  after  the
 3    repair,  demolition,  enclosure, or removal occurred, for the
 4    cost and expense incurred, in the office of the  recorder  in
 5    the  county  in  which  the  real estate is located or in the
 6    office of the registrar of titles of the county if  the  real
 7    estate  affected  is  registered  under the Registered Titles
 8    (Torrens) Act.  The notice of lien shall consist of  a  sworn
 9    statement setting forth (i) a description of the real estate,
10    such  as  the  address  or other description of the property,
11    sufficient for its identification; (ii) the expenses incurred
12    by the county in undertaking the remedial actions  authorized
13    under  this  subsection; (iii) the date or dates the expenses
14    were incurred by the county; (iv) a statement by the official
15    responsible for enforcing the building code that the building
16    was  open  and  vacant  and  constituted  an  immediate   and
17    continuing  hazard  to  the community; (v) a statement by the
18    official that the required sign was posted on  the  building,
19    that  notice  was  sent  by  certified  mail to the owners of
20    record, and that notice was published in accordance with this
21    subsection; and (vi) a statement as to  when  and  where  the
22    notice was published.  The lien authorized by this subsection
23    may  thereafter  be  released  or  enforced  by the county as
24    provided in subsection (a).
25    (Source: P.A. 89-585, eff. 1-1-97; revised 8-15-96.)
26        (55 ILCS 5/5-1124 new)
27        Sec. 5-1124.  Second-hand and junk stores.
28        (a)  The county board of a county may:
29             (1)  License, locate, and  regulate  all  places  of
30        business  of  dealers  in junk, rags, and any second-hand
31        article whatsoever.
32             (2)  Forbid  any  person  or  entity   licensed   or
33        regulated under this Section from purchasing or receiving
SB596 Enrolled             -14-                LRB9003274DJcc
 1        from minors, without the written consent of their parents
 2        or guardians, any article whatsoever.
 3             (3)  Impose  the  licensing  and  regulation of such
 4        dealers as additional duties pursuant to  Section  5-1087
 5        of this Code.
 6        (b)  Nothing in this Section shall apply to a licensee of
 7    the  Secretary  of  State  under  Chapter  5  of the Illinois
 8    Vehicle Code or  to  an  insurer  or  self-insurer  of  motor
 9    vehicles.
10        (55 ILCS 5/Art. 5, Div. 5-41 heading new)
11           DIVISION 5-41.  ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUDICATION OF
12                        ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS
13        (55 ILCS 5/5-41005 new)
14        Sec. 5-41005.  Definitions. In this Division 5-41, unless
15    the context  requires otherwise:
16        "Code"  means  any  county  ordinance that pertains to or
17    regulates  any  of  the  following:   animal   control;   the
18    definition,   identification,   and   abatement   of   public
19    nuisances;  the accumulation, disposal, and transportation of
20    garbage,  refuse,  and  other  forms  of  solid  waste;   the
21    construction  and  maintenance  of  buildings and structures;
22    sanitation practices; or zoning.
23        "Code  enforcement  officer"  means  a  county   employee
24    authorized  to issue citations for county code violations and
25    to conduct inspections of public or private real property  to
26    determine  whether code violations exist. However, nothing in
27    this  Division  5-41  shall  be  construed   to   allow   for
28    administrative  adjudication of an ordinance violation in the
29    case where a State statute or  administrative  rule  provides
30    for a specific method or procedure to be followed, other than
31    administrative adjudication, in enforcing a county ordinance.
32        "Hearing  officer"  means  a  person  other  than  a code
SB596 Enrolled             -15-                LRB9003274DJcc
 1    enforcement officer or law  enforcement  officer  having  the
 2    following powers and duties:
 3             (1)  To  preside at an administrative hearing called
 4        to determine whether a code violation exists.
 5             (2)  To hear testimony and accept evidence from  the
 6        code   enforcement   officer,  the  respondent,  and  all
 7        interested parties relevant to the existence  of  a  code
 8        violation.
 9             (3)  To  preserve and authenticate the record of the
10        hearing and all exhibits and evidence introduced  at  the
11        hearing.
12             (4)  To  issue  and  sign  written  findings  and  a
13        decision  and  order  stating  whether  a  code violation
14        exists.
15             (5)  To impose penalties consistent with  applicable
16        code provisions and to assess costs reasonably related to
17        instituting  the  proceedings upon finding the respondent
18        liable for the charged violation.  In no event,  however,
19        shall  the hearing officer have the authority to impose a
20        penalty of incarceration.
21        "Property owner" means the legal or beneficial  owner  of
22    an improved or unimproved parcel of real estate.
23        "Respondent"  means  a  property  owner, waste hauler, or
24    other person charged  with  liability  for  an  alleged  code
25    violation  and  the person to whom the notice of violation is
26    directed.
27        "Solid  waste"  means  demolition  materials,  food   and
28    industrial  processing  wastes,  garden  trash, land cleaning
29    waste, mixed refuse, non-combustible  refuse,  and  trash  as
30    defined in the Solid Waste Disposal District Act.
31        "Waste hauler" means any person owning or controlling any
32    vehicle  used to carry or transport garbage, refuse, or other
33    forms of solid waste.
SB596 Enrolled             -16-                LRB9003274DJcc
 1        (55 ILCS 5/5-41010 new)
 2        Sec. 5-41010.  Code hearing unit.  The  county  board  in
 3    any  county  having  a  population  of  less  than  3,000,000
 4    inhabitants  may  establish  by ordinance a code hearing unit
 5    within an existing code enforcement agency or as  a  separate
 6    and  independent  agency  in  county government. A county may
 7    establish a code hearing unit and administrative adjudication
 8    process only under the provisions of this Division 5-41.  The
 9    function of the code hearing unit shall be  to  expedite  the
10    prosecution  and correction of code violations as provided in
11    this Division 5-41.
12        (55 ILCS 5/5-41015 new)
13        Sec. 5-41015.  Hearing procedure not exclusive.   In  any
14    county  that  establishes a code hearing unit pursuant to the
15    provisions of this Division 5-41, the county is not precluded
16    from using other methods to enforce  the  provisions  of  its
17    codes.
18        (55 ILCS 5/5-41020 new)
19        Sec. 5-41020.  Instituting proceedings.
20        (a)  When  a  code  enforcement  officer  observes a code
21    violation, the officer shall note  or,  in  the  case  of  an
22    animal  control  violation,  the code enforcement officer may
23    respond to the filing of a formal  complaint  by  noting  the
24    violation  on  a violation notice and report form, indicating
25    the following: the name and address  of  the  respondent,  if
26    known;  the  name,  address,  and  state vehicle registration
27    number of the  waste  hauler  who  deposited  the  waste,  if
28    applicable;  the  type  and nature of the violation; the date
29    and time the violation was observed; the names  of  witnesses
30    to the violation; and the address of the location or property
31    where the violation is observed.
32        (b)  The violation notice and report form shall contain a
SB596 Enrolled             -17-                LRB9003274DJcc
 1    file  number and a hearing date noted by the code enforcement
 2    officer in the blank spaces provided for that purpose on  the
 3    form.   The  violation  notice  and  report  shall state that
 4    failure to appear at the hearing on the  date  indicated  may
 5    result   in  a  determination  of  liability  for  the  cited
 6    violation and the imposition of fines and assessment of costs
 7    as  provided  by  the  applicable  county  ordinance.     The
 8    violation  notice  and  report  shall  also state that upon a
 9    determination of liability and the exhaustion of  or  failure
10    to  exhaust  procedures for judicial review, any unpaid fines
11    or costs imposed will constitute a debt due and owed  to  the
12    county.
13        (c)  A copy of the violation notice and report form shall
14    be  served  on  the  respondent either personally or by first
15    class mail, postage prepaid,  sent  to  the  address  of  the
16    respondent.   If  the  name  of the respondent property owner
17    cannot be ascertained or if service on the respondent  cannot
18    be  made  by  mail,  service  may  be  made on the respondent
19    property owner by posting, not less than 20 days  before  the
20    hearing  is  scheduled,  a  copy  of the violation notice and
21    report form in a prominent place on the  property  where  the
22    violation is found.
23        (55 ILCS 5/5-41025 new)
24        Sec. 5-41025.  Subpoenas; default.
25        (a)  At  any  time  prior  to  the  hearing  date, at the
26    request of the code enforcement officer, the attorney for the
27    county, the respondent, or the attorney for  the  respondent,
28    the  hearing  officer  assigned  to  hear  the case may issue
29    subpoenas directing witnesses to appear and give testimony at
30    the hearing.
31        (b)  If the respondent or the respondent's attorney fails
32    to appear on the  date  set  for  the  hearing,  the  hearing
33    officer  may find the respondent in default and shall proceed
SB596 Enrolled             -18-                LRB9003274DJcc
 1    with  the  hearing  and  accept  evidence  relating  to   the
 2    existence of a code violation.
 3        (55 ILCS 5/5-41030 new)
 4        Sec. 5-41030.   Representation at hearings.  The case for
 5    the  county  may be presented by the code enforcement officer
 6    or by the State's Attorney.  In no event,  however,  may  the
 7    case  for  the county be presented by an employee of the code
 8    hearing unit.  The case for the respondent may  be  presented
 9    by  the  respondent  or  the  respondent's  attorney.  If the
10    respondent is  a  corporation,  it  may  appear  through  any
11    officer, director, manager, or supervisor of the corporation.
12        (55 ILCS 5/5-41035 new)
13        Sec.  5-41035.   Evidence  at  hearings.     The  hearing
14    officer  shall  preside at the hearing, shall hear testimony,
15    and shall accept any evidence relevant to  the  existence  or
16    non-existence  of a code violation on the property indicated.
17    The code enforcement officer's signed  violation  notice  and
18    report form shall be prima facie evidence of the existence of
19    the  code  violation described in the form.  The strict rules
20    of evidence applicable to judicial proceedings do  not  apply
21    to hearings authorized under this Division 5-41.
22        (55 ILCS 5/5-41040 new)
23        Sec.  5-41040.   Findings,  decision,  and  order. At the
24    conclusion of the hearing, the hearing officer shall  make  a
25    determination  on  the basis of the evidence presented at the
26    hearing  as  to  whether  a  code  violation   exists.    The
27    determination  shall be in writing and shall be designated as
28    the hearing officer's findings,  decision,  and  order.   The
29    findings,  decision,  and  order  shall  include  the hearing
30    officer's findings of fact, a determination of whether a code
31    violation exists based on the findings of fact, and an  order
SB596 Enrolled             -19-                LRB9003274DJcc
 1    imposing a fine or other penalty, directing the respondent to
 2    correct   the  violation,  or  dismissing  the  case  if  the
 3    violation is not proved.  If the hearing  officer  determines
 4    that  the  respondent  is liable for the cited violation, the
 5    hearing officer shall enter an order imposing sanctions  that
 6    are provided in the code for the violations proved, including
 7    the  imposition of fines and the recovery of the costs of the
 8    proceedings.  Costs may be recovered in the  same  manner  as
 9    fines  and  penalties.  A copy of the findings, decision, and
10    order shall be served by personal service or  by  any  method
11    provided  for service of the violation notice and report form
12    under Section 5-41020.  The payment of any penalty or fine or
13    costs of the proceedings and the disposition  of  that  money
14    shall  be  in  the  manner  provided in this Code, unless the
15    county board provides otherwise when  establishing  the  code
16    hearing unit.
17        (55 ILCS 5/5-41045 new)
18        Sec.  5-41045.   Administrative  review.   The  findings,
19    decision,  and  order of the hearing officer shall be subject
20    to  review  in  the  circuit  court  of  the  county.     The
21    Administrative Review Law  and  the  rules  adopted  pursuant
22    thereto  shall  apply  to  and  govern  every  action for the
23    judicial review of the final findings, decision, and order of
24    a hearing officer under this Division 5-41.
25        (55 ILCS 5/5-41050 new)
26        Sec.  5-41050.   Sanctions;  transfer  or  conveyance  of
27    property.  The  order to correct a  code  violation  and  the
28    sanctions  imposed  by a county against a respondent property
29    owner as the result of a finding of a  code  violation  under
30    this  Division  5-41 shall attach to the property, subject to
31    the interests of all lien holders of record, as  well  as  to
32    the owner of the property, so that the owner cannot avoid the
SB596 Enrolled             -20-                LRB9003274DJcc
 1    finding of a code violation against the owner by conveying or
 2    transferring   the  property  to  another.    Any  subsequent
 3    transferee or owner of property takes the property subject to
 4    the findings, decision, and order of a hearing officer  under
 5    this  Division  5-41  if a notice consisting of a copy of the
 6    order to correct a code violation and imposing any  sanctions
 7    and  costs,  if  applicable,  and  a  description of the real
 8    estate affected that  is  sufficient  to  identify  the  real
 9    estate  has  been  filed in the office of the Recorder or the
10    office of the Registrar of Titles by the county prior to  the
11    transfer or conveyance to the subsequent transferee or owner.
12        (55 ILCS 5/5-41055 new)
13        Sec.   5-41055.  Collection  of  unpaid  fines  or  other
14    sanctions.
15        (a)  Any fine or other sanction or costs imposed, or  any
16    part  of  any  fine  or  other  sanction  or  costs  imposed,
17    remaining  unpaid  after  the  exhaustion  of  or  failure to
18    exhaust   procedures   for   judicial   review   under    the
19    Administrative  Review  Law  is  a  debt  due and owed to the
20    county and, as such, may  be  collected  in  accordance  with
21    applicable  law.   Any  subsequent  owner  or  transferee  of
22    property  takes  subject  to  this  debt if a notice has been
23    filed pursuant to Section 5-41050.
24        (b)  After expiration of the period within which judicial
25    review under the Administrative Review Law may be sought  for
26    a  final  determination of the code violation, the county may
27    commence a proceeding in the circuit court of the county  for
28    purposes  of  obtaining  a  judgment on the hearing officer's
29    findings, decision,  and  order.   Nothing  in  this  Section
30    prevents  a  county  from  consolidating  multiple  findings,
31    decisions,  and orders against a person or property in such a
32    proceeding.
33        (c)  Upon commencement of the action,  the  county  shall
SB596 Enrolled             -21-                LRB9003274DJcc
 1    file  a  certified copy of the findings, decision, and order,
 2    which shall be accompanied by a  certification  that  recites
 3    facts  sufficient  to  show  that the findings, decision, and
 4    order were issued in accordance with this Division  5-41  and
 5    the  applicable county ordinance.  Service of the summons and
 6    a copy of the petition may  be  by  any  method  provided  by
 7    Section  2-203 of the Code of Civil Procedure or by certified
 8    mail, return  receipt  requested,  provided  that  the  total
 9    amount  of  fines or other sanctions and costs imposed by the
10    findings, decision, and order does not exceed $5,000.
11        (d)  If  the  court  is  satisfied  that  the   findings,
12    decision,  and  order were entered within the requirements of
13    this Division 5-41 and the applicable  county  ordinance  and
14    that  the  respondent  had an opportunity for a hearing under
15    this Division 5-41 and for judicial  review  as  provided  in
16    Section 5-41045:
17             (1)  The court shall render judgment in favor of the
18        county   and   against  the  respondent  for  the  amount
19        indicated in the findings, decision, and order plus court
20        costs.  The judgment has  the  same  effect  and  may  be
21        enforced  in  the  same manner as other judgments for the
22        recovery of money.
23             (2)  The   court   may   issue   other   orders   or
24        injunctions, or both, requested by the county to  enforce
25        the  order  of  the  hearing officer or to correct a code
26        violation.
27        (55 ILCS 5/5-41060 new)
28        Sec. 5-41060.  Adoption of other necessary provisions  by
29    county.     Any  county  establishing  a code hearing unit by
30    ordinance under this Division 5-41 may adopt other provisions
31    necessary and proper to carry into effect the powers  granted
32    and the purposes stated in this Division.
SB596 Enrolled             -22-                LRB9003274DJcc
 1        (55 ILCS 5/5-1080 rep.)
 2        Section  6.  The  Counties  Code  is amended by repealing
 3    Section 5-1080.  The  repeal  of  Section  5-1080  shall  not
 4    affect  any  cause  of  action  brought  under Section 5-1080
 5    before the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997.
 6        Section 7.  The Township Code is amended, if and only  if
 7    the  provisions  of  Senate  Bill  307  of  the  90th General
 8    Assembly that are changed by  this  amendatory  Act  of  1997
 9    become law, by changing Section 182-5 as follows:
10        (60 ILCS 1/182-5)
11        Sec. 182-5.  Primary health care special district; tax.
12        (a)  In  any  township  in  a county with a population of
13    25,000 or  less  containing  a  federally  designated  health
14    manpower  shortage  area,  the township board may provide for
15    primary health care under  an  intergovernmental  cooperation
16    agreement  with  another  unit  of  local government or under
17    contract with physicians, a physician group,  a  professional
18    service   corporation,   a   medical  corporation,  a  health
19    maintenance organization, a voluntary health service plan,  a
20    limited  health  service  plan,  a  hospital  for out-patient
21    services, or a federally qualified health center.
22        (b)  For  purposes  described  in  subsection  (a),   the
23    township board may levy an annual tax of not more than 0.095%
24    of  the value of all the taxable property in the township, as
25    equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue, upon that
26    property.  Before a tax may be levied under this Section, the
27    township board shall certify  that  question  to  the  proper
28    election  officials  in accordance with General Election Law,
29    who shall submit the proposition by  referendum  to  all  the
30    voters  in the area to be served.  The referendum shall be in
31    substantially the following form:
32        Shall (name of township) be authorized to levy an  annual
SB596 Enrolled             -23-                LRB9003274DJcc
 1    tax  of  not more than 0.095% of the value of all the taxable
 2    property in the township to provide primary  health  care  to
 3    its citizens?
 4        The votes shall be recorded as "Yes" or "No".
 5        If  the  majority of the voters voting on the proposition
 6    vote in favor of it,  the  tax  levy  is  authorized.   If  a
 7    majority of the vote is against the proposition, the tax levy
 8    is  not authorized.  No tax may be levied under this Section,
 9    however, with respect to any property that is subject to  any
10    other  tax  levied  for the sole purpose of providing primary
11    health care.
12        (c)  Any territory  of  a  special  primary  health  care
13    district  that  is  annexed  to  a municipality that provides
14    primary health care within  its  corporate  limits  shall  be
15    automatically  disconnected  from the township primary health
16    care district.
17    (Source: 90SB0307eng.)
18        Section 8.  The Illinois Municipal  Code  is  amended  by
19    changing Sections 8-1-7 and 11-135-2 as follows:
20        (65 ILCS 5/8-1-7) (from Ch. 24, par. 8-1-7)
21        Sec.  8-1-7.   (a)  Except  as provided otherwise in this
22    Section,  no  contract  shall  be  made  by   the   corporate
23    authorities,  or  by  any committee or member thereof, and no
24    expense  shall  be  incurred  by  any  of  the  officers   or
25    departments  of  any  municipality, whether the object of the
26    expenditure has been ordered by the corporate authorities  or
27    not,   unless  an  appropriation  has  been  previously  made
28    concerning that contract or expense. Any  contract  made,  or
29    any   expense   otherwise   incurred,  in  violation  of  the
30    provisions of this section shall be null and void as  to  the
31    municipality, and no money belonging thereto shall be paid on
32    account  thereof.  However, pending the passage of the annual
SB596 Enrolled             -24-                LRB9003274DJcc
 1    appropriation ordinance for any fiscal  year,  the  corporate
 2    authorities  may  authorize  heads  of  departments  or other
 3    separate agencies  of  the  municipality  to  make  necessary
 4    expenditures  for  the  support thereof upon the basis of the
 5    appropriations of the preceding fiscal year. However,  if  it
 6    is determined by two-thirds vote of the corporate authorities
 7    then  holding  office at a regularly scheduled meeting of the
 8    corporate authorities that it is expedient and  in  the  best
 9    public  interest to begin proceedings for the construction of
10    a needed public work, then the  provisions  of  this  section
11    shall  not apply to the extent that the corporate authorities
12    may employ or contract for  professional  services  necessary
13    for the planning and financing of such public work.
14        (b)  Notwithstanding  any  provision  of this Code to the
15    contrary, the corporate authorities of any  municipality  may
16    make  contracts  for  a  term  exceeding  one  year  and  not
17    exceeding  the  term of the mayor or president holding office
18    at the time the contract is executed, relating  to:  (1)  the
19    employment  of  a municipal manager, administrator, engineer,
20    health officer, land  planner,  finance  director,  attorney,
21    police chief or other officer who requires technical training
22    or  knowledge;  (2)  the  employment  of outside professional
23    consultants  such  as  engineers,  doctors,  land   planners,
24    auditors,  attorneys  or  other  professional consultants who
25    require technical training or knowledge; (3) the provision of
26    data processing equipment and services; or (4) the  provision
27    of   services   which  directly  relate  to  the  prevention,
28    identification or eradication of disease.  In such  case  the
29    corporate   authorities   shall   include   in   the   annual
30    appropriation    ordinance   for   each   fiscal   year,   an
31    appropriation of a sum of money sufficient to pay the  amount
32    which,  by  the  terms  of the contract, is to become due and
33    payable during the current fiscal year.
34        (c)  This  section  shall  not  apply  to  municipalities
SB596 Enrolled             -25-                LRB9003274DJcc
 1    operating under special charters.
 2        (d)  In order to promote  orderly  collective  bargaining
 3    relationships,  to  prevent  labor  strife and to protect the
 4    interests of the public and the  health  and  safety  of  the
 5    citizens  of  Illinois,  this  Section  shall  not  apply  to
 6    multi-year  collective  bargaining  agreements between public
 7    employers  and  exclusive  representatives  governed  by  the
 8    provisions of the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act.
 9        (d)  Notwithstanding any provision of this  Code  to  the
10    contrary,  the  corporate authorities of any municipality may
11    enter into multi-year collective bargaining  agreements  with
12    exclusive   representatives   under  the  provisions  of  the
13    Illinois Public Labor Relations Act.
14        (e)  Notwithstanding any provision of this  Code  to  the
15    contrary,  the  corporate authorities of any municipality may
16    enter into any multi-year contract or otherwise associate for
17    any term under the provisions of Section 10 of Article VII of
18    the   Illinois   Constitution   or   the    Intergovernmental
19    Cooperation Act.
20    (Source: P.A. 85-924.)
21        (65 ILCS 5/11-135-2) (from Ch. 24, par. 11-135-2)
22        Sec. 11-135-2.  Upon the adoption of such an ordinance or
23    resolution   by   the   corporate  authorities  of  any  such
24    municipality, the mayor or president, with  the  approval  of
25    the  corporate authorities, shall appoint a commissioner. The
26    commissioners so appointed by  each  of  such  municipalities
27    together  with a like commissioner appointed by the presiding
28    officer of the county board with the advice  and  consent  of
29    the county board of the county in which the major part of the
30    works  of  the  water  commission are, or are to be, located,
31    shall constitute a commission and public corporation with the
32    powers  and  duties  specified  in  this  Division  135.  The
33    corporate name of the commission shall be  "(here  insert  an
SB596 Enrolled             -26-                LRB9003274DJcc
 1    appropriate  name  indicative  of the area) Water Commission"
 2    and as such the Commission may  contract  and  be  contracted
 3    with, and sue and be sued.
 4        The  commissioners so appointed shall serve for a term of
 5    6 years, or until their successors have  been  appointed  and
 6    have   qualified   in   the   same  manner  as  the  original
 7    appointments, except that the commissioners  first  appointed
 8    shall  determine by lot at their first meeting the respective
 9    commissioners whose terms shall be for 2, 4 and 6 years  from
10    the  date  of  that meeting. Each commissioner appointed by a
11    mayor  or  president  shall  be  an  elector  or  the   chief
12    administrator  of  the  municipality  for  which  he  acts as
13    commissioner, and the commissioner appointed by the presiding
14    officer of the county board shall be an elector of the county
15    in which the major works of the water commission are, or  are
16    to  be,  located.   Any  commissioner  so  appointed may be a
17    member of the governing board or officer or employee  of  the
18    municipality or county from which the appointment is made.  A
19    commissioner   is   eligible   for   reappointment  upon  the
20    expiration of his term. A vacancy shall  be  filled  for  the
21    balance of the unexpired term of the person who has ceased to
22    hold office by the mayor, president or county board presiding
23    officer  who  initially  made  such  appointment  in the same
24    manner as the original appointment. Each  commissioner  shall
25    receive   the   same   compensation,  as  determined  by  the
26    appointing authority, which shall not  be  more  than  $2,000
27    $1,000  per year, except that no commissioner who is a member
28    of  the  governing  board  or  officer  or  employee  of  the
29    municipality or county from which the appointment is made may
30    receive any compensation for serving as  commissioner.   Each
31    commissioner   shall   furnish   a   bond  for  the  faithful
32    performance of his official duties. This bond  shall  not  be
33    less  than  $5,000  and  its  costs  shall  be  paid  by  the
34    commission.
SB596 Enrolled             -27-                LRB9003274DJcc
 1        Each  commissioner may be removed for any cause for which
 2    any other municipal officer may be removed. No  commissioner,
 3    or employee of the commission, and no mayor, or president, or
 4    other member of the corporate authorities, or any employee of
 5    any  of  the  municipalities, shall be interested directly or
 6    indirectly in any contract or job of work  or  materials,  or
 7    the  profits  thereof,  or services to be performed for or by
 8    the commission.
 9        A violation of any of the foregoing  provisions  of  this
10    section  is  a Class C misdemeanor. A conviction is cause for
11    the removal of a person from his office or employment.
12    (Source: P.A. 84-811.)
13        Section 15.  The Illinois Public Aid Code is  amended  by
14    changing Section 11-14.5 as follows:
15        (305 ILCS 5/11-14.5)
16        Sec.  11-14.5.  Overpayment; recovery. If an applicant or
17    recipient receives any form of public aid from  the  Illinois
18    Department or a local governmental unit to which he or she is
19    not  entitled,  the Illinois Department or local governmental
20    unit may  determine  that  the  applicant  or  recipient  has
21    received   an   overpayment   of  public  aid.  The  Illinois
22    Department  may  determine  that  an  overpayment  has   been
23    received  regardless of any determination of the cause of the
24    overpayment, including but not  limited  to  a  determination
25    that  the  overpayment was caused by an error of the Illinois
26    Department  or  local   governmental   unit.   The   Illinois
27    Department  or local governmental unit may attempt to recover
28    the overpayment by recoupment from future assistance payments
29    or food stamps or any other legal means consistent with State
30    and federal law.
31    (Source: P.A. 89-673, eff. 8-14-96.)
SB596 Enrolled             -28-                LRB9003274DJcc
 1        Section 99.  Effective date.  This Act takes effect  upon
 2    becoming law.

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