State of Illinois
92nd General Assembly
Legislation

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[ House Amendment 001 ]


92_HB0027sam001











                                             LRB9200661MWcdam

 1                     AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 27

 2        AMENDMENT NO.     .  Amend House Bill 27 by replacing the
 3    title with the following:
 4        "AN ACT concerning local government."; and

 5    by replacing everything after the enacting  clause  with  the
 6    following:

 7        "Section  5.  The  Counties  Code  is amended by changing
 8    Sections 5-1121 and 5-12017 as follows:

 9        (55 ILCS 5/5-1121)
10        Sec. 5-1121.  Demolition, repair, or enclosure.
11        (a)  The  county  board  of  each  county  may  demolish,
12    repair, or  enclose  or  cause  the  demolition,  repair,  or
13    enclosure  of  dangerous  and unsafe buildings or uncompleted
14    and abandoned buildings within the territory of  the  county,
15    but outside the territory of any municipality, and may remove
16    or cause the removal of garbage, debris, and other hazardous,
17    noxious,  or  unhealthy  substances  or  materials from those
18    buildings. If a township within the  county  makes  a  formal
19    request  to  the county board as provided in Section 85-50 of
20    the Township Code that the county  board  commence  specified
21    proceedings  under  this  Section  with  respect  to property
 
                            -2-              LRB9200661MWcdam
 1    located within the township but outside the territory of  any
 2    municipality,  then, at the next regular county board meeting
 3    occurring at least 10 days after the formal request  is  made
 4    to  the  county board, the county board shall either commence
 5    the  requested  proceedings  or  decline  to  do  so  (either
 6    formally or by failing to  act  on  the  request)  and  shall
 7    notify  the  township  board making the request of the county
 8    board's decision. In any county having adopted, by referendum
 9    or otherwise, a  county  health  department  as  provided  by
10    Division  5-25  of  the Counties Code or its predecessor, the
11    county board of any such county may upon a formal request  by
12    the  city,  village, or incorporated town demolish, repair or
13    cause the  demolition  or  repair  of  dangerous  and  unsafe
14    buildings  or  uncompleted and abandoned buildings within the
15    territory of any city, village, or incorporated town having a
16    population of less than 50,000.
17        The county board shall apply to the circuit court of  the
18    county  in  which  the  building  is located (i) for an order
19    authorizing action to be taken with respect to a building  if
20    the  owner  or  owners  of  the  building, including the lien
21    holders of record, after at least 15 days' written notice  by
22    mail to do so, have failed to commence proceedings to put the
23    building in a safe condition or to demolish it or (ii) for an
24    order  requiring  the  owner or owners of record to demolish,
25    repair, or enclose the building or to remove garbage, debris,
26    and other hazardous,  noxious,  or  unhealthy  substances  or
27    materials  from  the  building.   It  is not a defense to the
28    cause of action that the building is boarded up or  otherwise
29    enclosed,  although the court may order the defendant to have
30    the building boarded up or otherwise  enclosed.  Where,  upon
31    diligent  search, the identity or whereabouts of the owner or
32    owners of the building, including the lien holders of record,
33    is not ascertainable, notice mailed to the person or  persons
34    in  whose  name  the  real  estate  was last assessed and the
 
                            -3-              LRB9200661MWcdam
 1    posting of  such  notice  upon  the  premises  sought  to  be
 2    demolished  or  repaired  is  sufficient  notice  under  this
 3    Section.
 4        The  hearing  upon  the  application to the circuit court
 5    shall be expedited by the court and shall be given precedence
 6    over all other suits.
 7        The cost of the demolition, repair, enclosure, or removal
 8    incurred by the county, by an intervenor, or by a lien holder
 9    of record, including court costs, attorney's fees, and  other
10    costs   related  to  the  enforcement  of  this  Section,  is
11    recoverable from the owner or owners of the  real  estate  or
12    the  previous  owner  or both if the property was transferred
13    during the 15 day notice period and is a  lien  on  the  real
14    estate;  the lien is superior to all prior existing liens and
15    encumbrances, except taxes, if, within  180  days  after  the
16    repair,  demolition,  enclosure,  or removal, the county, the
17    lien holder of record, or the  intervenor  who  incurred  the
18    cost and expense shall file a notice of lien for the cost and
19    expense  incurred in the office of the recorder in the county
20    in which the real estate is located or in the office  of  the
21    registrar of titles of the county if the real estate affected
22    is registered under the Registered Titles (Torrens) Act.
23        The  notice must consist of a sworn statement setting out
24    (1) a description of  the  real  estate  sufficient  for  its
25    identification, (2) the amount of money representing the cost
26    and expense incurred, and (3) the date or dates when the cost
27    and  expense  was  incurred by the county, the lien holder of
28    record, or the intervenor.  Upon  payment  of  the  cost  and
29    expense by the owner of or persons interested in the property
30    after  the  notice  of lien has been filed, the lien shall be
31    released by the county, the person in whose name the lien has
32    been filed, or the assignee of the lien, and the release  may
33    be  filed  of record as in the case of filing notice of lien.
34    Unless the lien is enforced under subsection  (b),  the  lien
 
                            -4-              LRB9200661MWcdam
 1    may  be enforced by foreclosure proceedings as in the case of
 2    mortgage foreclosures under Article XV of the Code  of  Civil
 3    Procedure  or  mechanics'  lien  foreclosures.  An  action to
 4    foreclose this lien may be commenced at any  time  after  the
 5    date  of  filing  of  the  notice  of  lien.   The  costs  of
 6    foreclosure  incurred  by  the county, including court costs,
 7    reasonable  attorney's  fees,  advances   to   preserve   the
 8    property,  and other costs related to the enforcement of this
 9    subsection, plus statutory interest, are a lien on  the  real
10    estate  and  are  recoverable by the county from the owner or
11    owners of the real estate.
12        All liens arising under  this  subsection  (a)  shall  be
13    assignable.  The  assignee  of  the  lien shall have the same
14    power to enforce the lien as the assigning party, except that
15    the lien may not be enforced under subsection (b).
16        If the appropriate official of any county determines that
17    any  dangerous  and  unsafe  building  or   uncompleted   and
18    abandoned   building   within   its  territory  fulfills  the
19    requirements for an action by the county under the  Abandoned
20    Housing  Rehabilitation  Act,  the  county may petition under
21    that Act in a proceeding brought under this subsection.
22        (b)  In any case where a county has obtained a lien under
23    subsection (a), the county may enforce the  lien  under  this
24    subsection  (b)  in  the same proceeding in which the lien is
25    authorized.
26        A county desiring to enforce a lien under this subsection
27    (b) shall petition  the  court  to  retain  jurisdiction  for
28    foreclosure proceedings under this subsection.  Notice of the
29    petition shall be served, by certified or registered mail, on
30    all persons who were served notice under subsection (a).  The
31    court  shall  conduct a hearing on the petition not less than
32    15 days after the notice is served.  If the court  determines
33    that  the  requirements  of  this  subsection  (b)  have been
34    satisfied,  it  shall   grant   the   petition   and   retain
 
                            -5-              LRB9200661MWcdam
 1    jurisdiction over the matter until the foreclosure proceeding
 2    is  completed.   The  costs  of  foreclosure  incurred by the
 3    county, including court costs,  reasonable  attorneys'  fees,
 4    advances to preserve the property, and other costs related to
 5    the  enforcement of this subsection, plus statutory interest,
 6    are a lien on the real estate  and  are  recoverable  by  the
 7    county  from  the owner or owners of the real estate.  If the
 8    court denies the petition, the county may enforce the lien in
 9    a separate action as provided in subsection (a).
10        All persons designated in Section 15-1501 of the Code  of
11    Civil   Procedure   as   necessary   parties  in  a  mortgage
12    foreclosure action shall be joined as parties before issuance
13    of an order of foreclosure.  Persons  designated  in  Section
14    15-1501 of the Code of Civil Procedure as permissible parties
15    may also be joined as parties in the action.
16        The  provisions  of  Article  XV  of  the  Code  of Civil
17    Procedure applicable to mortgage foreclosures shall apply  to
18    the  foreclosure  of a lien under this subsection (b), except
19    to the extent that those  provisions  are  inconsistent  with
20    this  subsection.    For  purposes  of  foreclosures of liens
21    under  this  subsection,  however,  the   redemption   period
22    described in subsection (b) of Section 15-1603 of the Code of
23    Civil  Procedure shall end 60 days after the date of entry of
24    the order of foreclosure.
25        (c)  In addition to any other remedy provided by law, the
26    county board of any county may petition the circuit court  to
27    have  property  declared  abandoned under this subsection (c)
28    if:
29             (1)  the property has been tax delinquent for  2  or
30        more  years  or  bills for water service for the property
31        have been outstanding for 2 or more years;
32             (2)  the property is unoccupied by  persons  legally
33        in possession; and
34             (3)  the  property  contains  a  dangerous or unsafe
 
                            -6-              LRB9200661MWcdam
 1        building.
 2        All persons having an interest of record in the property,
 3    including  tax  purchasers  and  beneficial  owners  of   any
 4    Illinois  land  trust  having title to the property, shall be
 5    named as defendants in the petition and shall be served  with
 6    process.   In  addition,  service  shall be had under Section
 7    2-206 of the Code  of  Civil  Procedure  as  in  other  cases
 8    affecting property.
 9        The county, however, may proceed under this subsection in
10    a  proceeding  brought  under  subsection (a).  Notice of the
11    petition shall be served by certified or registered  mail  on
12    all persons who were served notice under subsection (a).
13        If  the  county  proves  that the conditions described in
14    this subsection exist and the owner of record of the property
15    does not enter an appearance in the action, or, if  title  to
16    the  property  is  held by an Illinois land trust, if neither
17    the owner of record nor the owner of the beneficial  interest
18    of  the  trust  enters an appearance, the court shall declare
19    the property abandoned.
20        If that determination is made, notice shall  be  sent  by
21    certified  or  registered  mail  to  all  persons  having  an
22    interest  of record in the property, including tax purchasers
23    and beneficial owners of any Illinois land trust having title
24    to the property, stating that title to the property  will  be
25    transferred  to  the  county  unless,  within  30 days of the
26    notice, the owner of  record  enters  an  appearance  in  the
27    action,  or unless any other person having an interest in the
28    property files with the  court  a  request  to  demolish  the
29    dangerous  or  unsafe building or to put the building in safe
30    condition.
31        If the owner of record enters an appearance in the action
32    within the 30 day period, the court shall  vacate  its  order
33    declaring  the  property abandoned.  In that case, the county
34    may amend its complaint  in  order  to  initiate  proceedings
 
                            -7-              LRB9200661MWcdam
 1    under subsection (a).
 2        If  a request to demolish or repair the building is filed
 3    within the 30 day period, the court shall grant permission to
 4    the requesting party to demolish the building within 30  days
 5    or  to  restore the building to safe condition within 60 days
 6    after the request is granted.  An extension  of  that  period
 7    for up to 60 additional days may be given for good cause.  If
 8    more than one person with an interest in the property files a
 9    timely  request, preference shall be given to the person with
10    the lien or other interest of the highest priority.
11        If the requesting party proves  to  the  court  that  the
12    building  has  been  demolished  or  put  in a safe condition
13    within the period of time granted by  the  court,  the  court
14    shall issue a quitclaim judicial deed for the property to the
15    requesting party, conveying only the interest of the owner of
16    record,  upon  proof  of  payment  to the county of all costs
17    incurred  by  the  county  in  connection  with  the  action,
18    including but not limited to court  costs,  attorney's  fees,
19    administrative  costs,  the  costs,  if  any, associated with
20    building enclosure or removal, and  receiver's  certificates.
21    The  interest in the property so conveyed shall be subject to
22    all liens and encumbrances on the property.  In addition,  if
23    the interest is conveyed to a person holding a certificate of
24    purchase  for  the  property under the Property Tax Code, the
25    conveyance shall be subject to the rights  of  redemption  of
26    all  persons entitled to redeem under that Act, including the
27    original owner of record.
28        If no person with an interest in  the  property  files  a
29    timely  request  or if the requesting party fails to demolish
30    the building or put the building in safe condition within the
31    time specified by the court,  the  county  may  petition  the
32    court  to  issue  a  judicial  deed  for  the property to the
33    county.  A conveyance  by  judicial  deed  shall  operate  to
34    extinguish all existing ownership interests in, liens on, and
 
                            -8-              LRB9200661MWcdam
 1    other interest in the property, including tax liens.
 2        (d)  Each   county   may   use  the  provisions  of  this
 3    subsection to expedite the removal of certain buildings  that
 4    are  a  continuing  hazard to the community in which they are
 5    located.
 6        If a residential building is 2 stories or less in  height
 7    as  defined  by  the county's building code, and the official
 8    designated to be in charge of enforcing the county's building
 9    code determines that the building is open and vacant  and  an
10    immediate and continuing hazard to the community in which the
11    building is located, then the official shall be authorized to
12    post  a  notice not less than 2 feet by 2 feet in size on the
13    front of the building.  The notice shall be dated as  of  the
14    date  of the posting and shall state that unless the building
15    is demolished, repaired, or enclosed, and unless any garbage,
16    debris, and other hazardous, noxious, or unhealthy substances
17    or materials are removed so that an immediate and  continuing
18    hazard  to  the community no longer exists, then the building
19    may be demolished, repaired, or  enclosed,  or  any  garbage,
20    debris, and other hazardous, noxious, or unhealthy substances
21    or materials may be removed, by the county.
22        Not  later  than  30  days  following  the posting of the
23    notice, the county shall do both of the following:
24             (1)  Cause to be sent,  by  certified  mail,  return
25        receipt  requested,  a  notice to all owners of record of
26        the property, the beneficial owners of any Illinois  land
27        trust  having  title to the property, and all lienholders
28        of record in the property,  stating  the  intent  of  the
29        county  to  demolish,  repair, or enclose the building or
30        remove any garbage, debris, or other hazardous,  noxious,
31        or  unhealthy  substances  or materials if that action is
32        not taken by the owner or owners.
33             (2)  Cause to be published, in a newspaper published
34        or  circulated  in  the  county  where  the  building  is
 
                            -9-              LRB9200661MWcdam
 1        located, a notice setting forth  (i)  the  permanent  tax
 2        index  number  and  the  address  of the building, (ii) a
 3        statement that  the  property  is  open  and  vacant  and
 4        constitutes  an  immediate  and  continuing hazard to the
 5        community, and (iii) a statement that the county  intends
 6        to  demolish,  repair,  or enclose the building or remove
 7        any garbage, debris,  or  other  hazardous,  noxious,  or
 8        unhealthy  substances or materials if the owner or owners
 9        or lienholders of record fail  to  do  so.   This  notice
10        shall be published for 3 consecutive days.
11        A  person objecting to the proposed actions of the county
12    board may file his or her objection in an appropriate form in
13    a court of competent jurisdiction.
14        If the building is not demolished, repaired, or enclosed,
15    or the garbage,  debris,  or  other  hazardous,  noxious,  or
16    unhealthy  substances or materials are not removed, within 30
17    days of mailing the notice  to  the  owners  of  record,  the
18    beneficial  owners of any Illinois land trust having title to
19    the property, and all lienholders of record in the  property,
20    or  within  30  days  of  the  last day of publication of the
21    notice, whichever is later, the county board shall  have  the
22    power  to  demolish,  repair,  or  enclose the building or to
23    remove any garbage, debris, or other hazardous,  noxious,  or
24    unhealthy substances or materials.
25        The  county may proceed to demolish, repair, or enclose a
26    building or remove any garbage, debris, or  other  hazardous,
27    noxious,  or  unhealthy  substances  or  materials under this
28    subsection within a 120-day period following the date of  the
29    mailing  of the notice if the appropriate official determines
30    that the demolition, repair, enclosure,  or  removal  of  any
31    garbage,  debris,  or  other hazardous, noxious, or unhealthy
32    substances or materials is necessary to remedy the  immediate
33    and  continuing  hazard.   If,  however,  before  the  county
34    proceeds   with   any  of  the  actions  authorized  by  this
 
                            -10-             LRB9200661MWcdam
 1    subsection, any  person  has  sought  a  hearing  under  this
 2    subsection  before  a  court  and  has  served  a copy of the
 3    complaint on the chief executive officer of the county,  then
 4    the  county  shall  not  proceed with the demolition, repair,
 5    enclosure, or removal of garbage, debris, or other substances
 6    until the court determines that that action is  necessary  to
 7    remedy  the hazard and issues an order authorizing the county
 8    to do so.
 9        Following the  demolition,  repair,  or  enclosure  of  a
10    building,  or  the  removal  of  garbage,  debris,  or  other
11    hazardous,  noxious,  or  unhealthy  substances  or materials
12    under this subsection, the county may file a notice  of  lien
13    against  the  real  estate  for  the  cost of the demolition,
14    repair, enclosure, or  removal  within  180  days  after  the
15    repair,  demolition,  enclosure, or removal occurred, for the
16    cost and expense incurred, in the office of the  recorder  in
17    the  county  in  which  the  real estate is located or in the
18    office of the registrar of titles of the county if  the  real
19    estate  affected  is  registered  under the Registered Titles
20    (Torrens) Act.  The notice of lien shall consist of  a  sworn
21    statement setting forth (i) a description of the real estate,
22    such  as  the  address  or other description of the property,
23    sufficient for its identification; (ii) the expenses incurred
24    by the county in undertaking the remedial actions  authorized
25    under  this  subsection; (iii) the date or dates the expenses
26    were incurred by the county; (iv) a statement by the official
27    responsible for enforcing the building code that the building
28    was  open  and  vacant  and  constituted  an  immediate   and
29    continuing  hazard  to  the community; (v) a statement by the
30    official that the required sign was posted on  the  building,
31    that  notice  was  sent  by  certified  mail to the owners of
32    record, and that notice was published in accordance with this
33    subsection; and (vi) a statement as to  when  and  where  the
34    notice was published.  The lien authorized by this subsection
 
                            -11-             LRB9200661MWcdam
 1    may  thereafter  be  released  or  enforced  by the county as
 2    provided in subsection (a).
 3        (e)  In any case where a county has obtained a lien under
 4    subsection (a), the county may also bring  an  action  for  a
 5    money judgment against the owner or owners of the real estate
 6    in  the amount of the lien in the same manner as provided for
 7    bringing causes of action in Article II of the Code of  Civil
 8    Procedure  and,  upon  obtaining  a judgment, file a judgment
 9    lien against all of the real estate of the  owner  or  owners
10    and  enforce  that lien as provided for in Article XII of the
11    Code of Civil Procedure.
12    (Source: P.A.  90-14,  eff.  7-1-97;  90-517,  eff.  8-22-97;
13    91-533, eff. 8-13-99; 91-561, eff. 1-1-00.)

14        (55 ILCS 5/5-12017) (from Ch. 34, par. 5-12017)
15        Sec.  5-12017.  Violations.  In  case  any  building   or
16    structure  is  erected,  constructed, reconstructed, altered,
17    repaired, converted or maintained or any building,  structure
18    or  land  is  used  in  violation  of this Division or of any
19    ordinance,  resolution  or  other   regulation   made   under
20    authority  conferred  thereby,  the proper authorities of the
21    county or of the township in which the  building,  structure,
22    or  land  is located, or any person the value or use of whose
23    property is or may be affected by such violation, in addition
24    to other remedies, may institute any  appropriate  action  or
25    proceedings  in  the  circuit  court to prevent such unlawful
26    erection, construction, reconstruction,  alteration,  repair,
27    conversion,  maintenance  or  use,  to  restrain, correct, or
28    abate such  violation,  to  prevent  the  occupancy  of  said
29    building,  structure  or  land or to prevent any illegal act,
30    conduct, business, or use in or about such premises.
31        Any person  who  violates  the  terms  of  any  ordinance
32    adopted  under the authority of this Division shall be guilty
33    of a petty offense punishable by a fine not to  exceed  $500,
 
                            -12-             LRB9200661MWcdam
 1    with each week the violation remains uncorrected constituting
 2    a separate offense.
 3    (Source: P.A. 86-962.)

 4        Section  10.  The  Township  Code  is  amended  by adding
 5    Section 85-50 as follows:

 6        (60 ILCS 1/85-50 new)
 7        Sec.  85-50.  Demolition,   repair,   or   enclosure   of
 8    buildings.
 9        (a)  The  township  board  of  any  township may formally
10    request the county board to  commence  specified  proceedings
11    with  respect  to  property  located  within the township but
12    outside the territory of  any  municipality  as  provided  in
13    Section  5-1121  of  the  Counties Code.  If the county board
14    declines the request as provided in  Section  5-1121  of  the
15    Counties  Code,  the  township  may exercise its powers under
16    this Section.
17        (b)  The township board of each  township  may  demolish,
18    repair,  or  enclose  or  cause  the  demolition,  repair, or
19    enclosure of dangerous and unsafe  buildings  or  uncompleted
20    and  abandoned buildings within the territory of the township
21    and may remove or cause the removal of garbage,  debris,  and
22    other   hazardous,   noxious,   or  unhealthy  substances  or
23    materials from those buildings.
24        The township board shall apply to the  circuit  court  of
25    the  county in which the building is located (i) for an order
26    authorizing action to be taken with respect to a building  if
27    the  owner  or  owners  of  the  building, including the lien
28    holders of record, after at least 15 days' written notice  by
29    mail to do so, have failed to commence proceedings to put the
30    building in a safe condition or to demolish it or (ii) for an
31    order  requiring  the  owner or owners of record to demolish,
32    repair, or enclose the building or to remove garbage, debris,
 
                            -13-             LRB9200661MWcdam
 1    and other hazardous,  noxious,  or  unhealthy  substances  or
 2    materials  from  the  building.   It  is not a defense to the
 3    cause of action that the building is boarded up or  otherwise
 4    enclosed,  although the court may order the defendant to have
 5    the building boarded up or otherwise  enclosed.  Where,  upon
 6    diligent  search, the identity or whereabouts of the owner or
 7    owners of the building, including the lien holders of record,
 8    is not ascertainable, notice mailed to the person or  persons
 9    in  whose  name  the  real  estate  was last assessed and the
10    posting  of  the  notice  upon  the  premises  sought  to  be
11    demolished  or  repaired  is  sufficient  notice  under  this
12    Section.
13        The hearing upon the application  to  the  circuit  court
14    shall be expedited by the court and shall be given precedence
15    over all other suits.
16        The cost of the demolition, repair, enclosure, or removal
17    incurred  by  the  township,  by  an intervenor, or by a lien
18    holder of record, including court costs, attorney's fees, and
19    other costs related to the enforcement of  this  Section,  is
20    recoverable  from  the  owner or owners of the real estate or
21    the previous owner or both if the  property  was  transferred
22    during  the  15-day  notice  period and is a lien on the real
23    estate if, within 180  days  after  the  repair,  demolition,
24    enclosure,  or  removal,  the  township,  the  lien holder of
25    record, or the intervenor who incurred the cost  and  expense
26    shall file a notice of lien for the cost and expense incurred
27    in the office of the recorder in the county in which the real
28    estate is located or in the office of the registrar of titles
29    of the county if the real estate affected is registered under
30    the   Registered  Titles  (Torrens)  Act.  The  lien  becomes
31    effective at the time of filing.
32        The notice must consist of a sworn statement setting  out
33    (1)  a  description  of  the  real  estate sufficient for its
34    identification, (2) the amount of money representing the cost
 
                            -14-             LRB9200661MWcdam
 1    and expense incurred, and (3) the date or dates when the cost
 2    and expense was incurred by the township, the lien holder  of
 3    record,  or  the  intervenor.  Upon  payment  of the cost and
 4    expense by the owner of or persons interested in the property
 5    after the notice of lien has been filed, the  lien  shall  be
 6    released  by  the township, the person in whose name the lien
 7    has been filed, or the assignee of the lien, and the  release
 8    may  be  filed  of  record as in the case of filing notice of
 9    lien. Unless the lien is enforced under subsection  (c),  the
10    lien  may  be  enforced  by foreclosure proceedings as in the
11    case of mortgage foreclosures under Article XV of the Code of
12    Civil Procedure or mechanics' lien foreclosures. An action to
13    foreclose this lien may be commenced at any  time  after  the
14    date  of  filing  of  the  notice  of  lien.   The  costs  of
15    foreclosure  incurred by the township, including court costs,
16    reasonable  attorney's  fees,  advances   to   preserve   the
17    property,  and other costs related to the enforcement of this
18    subsection, plus statutory interest, are a lien on  the  real
19    estate  and are recoverable by the township from the owner or
20    owners of the real estate.
21        All liens arising under  this  subsection  (b)  shall  be
22    assignable.  The  assignee  of  the  lien shall have the same
23    power to enforce the lien as the assigning party, except that
24    the lien may not be enforced under subsection (c).
25        (c)  In any case where a township  has  obtained  a  lien
26    under subsection (b), the township may enforce the lien under
27    this  subsection (c) in the same proceeding in which the lien
28    is authorized.
29        A  township  desiring  to  enforce  a  lien  under   this
30    subsection   (c)   shall   petition   the   court  to  retain
31    jurisdiction   for   foreclosure   proceedings   under   this
32    subsection.  Notice of  the  petition  shall  be  served,  by
33    certified  or registered mail, on all persons who were served
34    notice under subsection (b).    The  court  shall  conduct  a
 
                            -15-             LRB9200661MWcdam
 1    hearing  on  the  petition  not  less  than 15 days after the
 2    notice  is  served.   If  the  court  determines   that   the
 3    requirements  of  this subsection (c) have been satisfied, it
 4    shall grant the petition and  retain  jurisdiction  over  the
 5    matter  until  the  foreclosure proceeding is completed.  The
 6    costs of foreclosure  incurred  by  the  township,  including
 7    court costs, reasonable attorneys' fees, advances to preserve
 8    the  property,  and other costs related to the enforcement of
 9    this subsection, plus statutory interest, are a lien  on  the
10    real  estate  and  are  recoverable  by the township from the
11    owner or owners of the real estate.  If the court denies  the
12    petition,  the  township  may  enforce the lien in a separate
13    action as provided in subsection (b).
14        All persons designated in Section 15-1501 of the Code  of
15    Civil   Procedure   as   necessary   parties  in  a  mortgage
16    foreclosure action shall be joined as parties before issuance
17    of an order of foreclosure.  Persons  designated  in  Section
18    15-1501 of the Code of Civil Procedure as permissible parties
19    may also be joined as parties in the action.
20        The  provisions  of  Article  XV  of  the  Code  of Civil
21    Procedure applicable to mortgage foreclosures shall apply  to
22    the  foreclosure  of a lien under this subsection (c), except
23    to the extent that those  provisions  are  inconsistent  with
24    this  subsection.    For  purposes  of  foreclosures of liens
25    under  this  subsection,  however,  the   redemption   period
26    described in subsection (c) of Section 15-1603 of the Code of
27    Civil  Procedure shall end 60 days after the date of entry of
28    the order of foreclosure.
29        (d)  In addition to any other remedy provided by law, the
30    township board of any township may petition the circuit court
31    to have property declared abandoned under this subsection (d)
32    if:
33             (1)  the property has been tax delinquent for  2  or
34        more  years  or  bills for water service for the property
 
                            -16-             LRB9200661MWcdam
 1        have been outstanding for 2 or more years;
 2             (2)  the property is unoccupied by  persons  legally
 3        in possession; and
 4             (3)  the  property  contains  a  dangerous or unsafe
 5        building.
 6        All persons having an interest of record in the property,
 7    including  tax  purchasers  and  beneficial  owners  of   any
 8    Illinois  land  trust  having title to the property, shall be
 9    named as defendants in the petition and shall be served  with
10    process.   In  addition,  service  shall be had under Section
11    2-206 of the Code  of  Civil  Procedure  as  in  other  cases
12    affecting property.
13        The  township, however, may proceed under this subsection
14    in a proceeding brought under subsection (b).  Notice of  the
15    petition  shall  be served by certified or registered mail on
16    all persons who were served notice under subsection (b).
17        If the township proves that the conditions  described  in
18    this subsection exist and the owner of record of the property
19    does  not  enter an appearance in the action, or, if title to
20    the property is held by an Illinois land  trust,  if  neither
21    the  owner of record nor the owner of the beneficial interest
22    of the trust enters an appearance, the  court  shall  declare
23    the property abandoned.
24        If  that  determination  is made, notice shall be sent by
25    certified  or  registered  mail  to  all  persons  having  an
26    interest of record in the property, including tax  purchasers
27    and beneficial owners of any Illinois land trust having title
28    to  the  property, stating that title to the property will be
29    transferred to the township unless, within  30  days  of  the
30    notice,  the  owner  of  record  enters  an appearance in the
31    action, or unless any other person having an interest in  the
32    property  files  with  the  court  a  request to demolish the
33    dangerous or unsafe building or to put the building  in  safe
34    condition.
 
                            -17-             LRB9200661MWcdam
 1        If the owner of record enters an appearance in the action
 2    within  the  30-day  period, the court shall vacate its order
 3    declaring the property abandoned.  In that case, the township
 4    may amend its complaint  in  order  to  initiate  proceedings
 5    under subsection (b).
 6        If  a request to demolish or repair the building is filed
 7    within the 30-day period, the court shall grant permission to
 8    the requesting party to demolish the building within 30  days
 9    or  to  restore the building to safe condition within 60 days
10    after the request is granted.  An extension  of  that  period
11    for up to 60 additional days may be given for good cause.  If
12    more than one person with an interest in the property files a
13    timely  request, preference shall be given to the person with
14    the lien or other interest of the highest priority.
15        If the requesting party proves  to  the  court  that  the
16    building  has  been  demolished  or  put  in a safe condition
17    within the period of time granted by  the  court,  the  court
18    shall issue a quitclaim judicial deed for the property to the
19    requesting party, conveying only the interest of the owner of
20    record,  upon  proof  of payment to the township of all costs
21    incurred by the  township  in  connection  with  the  action,
22    including  but  not  limited to court costs, attorney's fees,
23    administrative costs, the  costs,  if  any,  associated  with
24    building  enclosure  or removal, and receiver's certificates.
25    The interest in the property so conveyed shall be subject  to
26    all  liens and encumbrances on the property.  In addition, if
27    the interest is conveyed to a person holding a certificate of
28    purchase for the property under the Property  Tax  Code,  the
29    conveyance  shall  be  subject to the rights of redemption of
30    all persons entitled to redeem under that Act, including  the
31    original owner of record.
32        If  no  person  with  an interest in the property files a
33    timely request or if the requesting party fails  to  demolish
34    the building or put the building in safe condition within the
 
                            -18-             LRB9200661MWcdam
 1    time  specified  by  the court, the township may petition the
 2    court to issue a  judicial  deed  for  the  property  to  the
 3    county.   A  conveyance  by  judicial  deed  shall operate to
 4    extinguish all existing ownership interests in, liens on, and
 5    other interest in the property, including tax liens.
 6        (e)  This  Section  applies  only  to  requests  made  by
 7    townships under subsection (a) before  January  1,  2006  and
 8    proceedings to implement or enforce this Section with respect
 9    to matters related to or arising from those requests.

10        Section  99.  Effective date.  This Act takes effect upon
11    becoming law.".

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