65 ILCS 5/11-31-1
The corporate authorities shall apply to the circuit court of the county in which the building is located (i) for an order authorizing action to be taken with respect to a building if the owner or owners of the building, including the lien holders of record, after at least 15 days' written notice by mail so to do, have failed to put the building in a safe condition or to demolish it or (ii) for an order requiring the owner or owners of record to demolish, repair, or enclose the building or to remove garbage, debris, and other hazardous, noxious, or unhealthy substances or materials from the building. It is not a defense to the cause of action that the building is boarded up or otherwise enclosed, although the court may order the defendant to have the building boarded up or otherwise enclosed. Where, upon diligent search, the identity or whereabouts of the owner or owners of the building, including the lien holders of record, is not ascertainable, notice mailed to the person or persons in whose name the real estate was last assessed is sufficient notice under this Section.
The hearing upon the application to the circuit court shall be expedited by the court and shall be given precedence over all other suits. Any person entitled to bring an action under subsection (b) shall have the right to intervene in an action brought under this Section.
The cost of the demolition, repair, enclosure, or removal incurred by the municipality, by an intervenor, or by a lien holder of record, including court costs, attorney's fees, and other costs related to the enforcement of this Section, is recoverable from the owner or owners of the real estate or the previous owner or both if the property was transferred during the 15 day notice period and is a lien on the real estate; the lien is superior to all prior existing liens and encumbrances, except taxes, if, within 180 days after the repair, demolition, enclosure, or removal, the municipality, the lien holder of record, or the intervenor who incurred the cost and expense shall file a notice of lien for the cost and expense incurred in the office of the recorder in the county in which the real estate is located or in the office of the registrar of titles of the county if the real estate affected is registered under the Registered Titles (Torrens) Act.
The notice must consist of a sworn statement setting out (1) a description of the real estate sufficient for its identification, (2) the amount of money representing the cost and expense incurred, and (3) the date or dates when the cost and expense was incurred by the municipality, the lien holder of record, or the intervenor. Upon payment of the cost and expense by the owner of or persons interested in the property after the notice of lien has been filed, the lien shall be released by the municipality, the person in whose name the lien has been filed, or the assignee of the lien, and the release may be filed of record as in the case of filing notice of lien. Unless the lien is enforced under subsection (c), the lien may be enforced by foreclosure proceedings as in the case of mortgage foreclosures under Article XV of the Code of Civil Procedure or mechanics' lien foreclosures. An action to foreclose this lien may be commenced at any time after the date of filing of the notice of lien. The costs of foreclosure incurred by the municipality, including court costs, reasonable attorney's fees, advances to preserve the property, and other costs related to the enforcement of this subsection, plus statutory interest, are a lien on the real estate and are recoverable by the municipality from the owner or owners of the real estate.
All liens arising under this subsection (a) shall be assignable. The assignee of the lien shall have the same power to enforce the lien as the assigning party, except that the lien may not be enforced under subsection (c).
If the appropriate official of any municipality determines that any dangerous and unsafe building or uncompleted and abandoned building within its territory fulfills the requirements for an action by the municipality under the Abandoned Housing Rehabilitation Act, the municipality may petition under that Act in a proceeding brought under this subsection.
If a municipality or a person or persons other than the owner or owners of record pay the cost of demolition, removal of garbage, debris, and other noxious or unhealthy substances and materials, repair, or enclosure pursuant to a court order, the cost, including court costs, attorney's fees, and other costs related to the enforcement of this subsection, is recoverable from the owner or owners of the real estate and is a lien on the real estate; the lien is superior to all prior existing liens and encumbrances, except taxes, if, within 180 days after the repair, removal, demolition, or enclosure, the municipality or the person or persons who paid the costs of demolition, removal, repair, or enclosure shall file a notice of lien of the cost and expense incurred in the office of the recorder in the county in which the real estate is located or in the office of the registrar of the county if the real estate affected is registered under the Registered Titles (Torrens) Act. The notice shall be in a form as is provided in subsection (a). An owner or tenant who institutes an action in circuit court seeking an order to compel the owner or owners of record to demolish, remove materials from, repair, or enclose any dangerous or unsafe building, or to cause that action to be taken under this subsection may recover court costs and reasonable attorney's fees for instituting the action from the owner or owners of record of the building. Upon payment of the costs and expenses by the owner of or a person interested in the property after the notice of lien has been filed, the lien shall be released by the municipality or the person in whose name the lien has been filed or his or her assignee, and the release may be filed of record as in the case of filing a notice of lien. Unless the lien is enforced under subsection (c), the lien may be enforced by foreclosure proceedings as in the case of mortgage foreclosures under Article XV of the Code of Civil Procedure or mechanics' lien foreclosures. An action to foreclose this lien may be commenced at any time after the date of filing of the notice of lien. The costs of foreclosure incurred by the municipality, including court costs, reasonable attorneys' fees, advances to preserve the property, and other costs related to the enforcement of this subsection, plus statutory interest, are a lien on the real estate and are recoverable by the municipality from the owner or owners of the real estate.
All liens arising under the terms of this subsection (b) shall be assignable. The assignee of the lien shall have the same power to enforce the lien as the assigning party, except that the lien may not be enforced under subsection (c).
A municipality desiring to enforce a lien under this subsection (c) shall petition the court to retain jurisdiction for foreclosure proceedings under this subsection. Notice of the petition shall be served, by certified or registered mail, on all persons who were served notice under subsection (a), (b), or (f). The court shall conduct a hearing on the petition not less than 15 days after the notice is served. If the court determines that the requirements of this subsection (c) have been satisfied, it shall grant the petition and retain jurisdiction over the matter until the foreclosure proceeding is completed. The costs of foreclosure incurred by the municipality, including court costs, reasonable attorneys' fees, advances to preserve the property, and other costs related to the enforcement of this subsection, plus statutory interest, are a lien on the real estate and are recoverable by the municipality from the owner or owners of the real estate. If the court denies the petition, the municipality may enforce the lien in a separate action as provided in subsection (a), (b), or (f).
All persons designated in Section 15-1501 of the Code of Civil Procedure as necessary parties in a mortgage foreclosure action shall be joined as parties before issuance of an order of foreclosure. Persons designated in Section 15-1501 of the Code of Civil Procedure as permissible parties may also be joined as parties in the action.
The provisions of Article XV of the Code of Civil Procedure applicable to mortgage foreclosures shall apply to the foreclosure of a lien under this subsection (c), except to the extent that those provisions are inconsistent with this subsection. For purposes of foreclosures of liens under this subsection, however, the redemption period described in subsection (b) of Section 15-1603 of the Code of Civil Procedure shall end 60 days after the date of entry of the order of foreclosure.
All persons having an interest of record in the property, including tax purchasers and beneficial owners of any Illinois land trust having title to the property, shall be named as defendants in the petition and shall be served with process. In addition, service shall be had under Section 2-206 of the Code of Civil Procedure as in other cases affecting property, including publication in a newspaper that is in circulation in the county in which the action is pending. At least 30 days prior to any declaration of abandonment, the municipality or its agent shall post a notice not less than 1 foot by 1 foot in size on the front of the subject building or property. The notice shall be dated as of the date of the posting and state that the municipality is seeking a declaration of abandonment for the property. The notice shall also include the case number for the underlying circuit court petition filed pursuant to this subsection and a notification that the owner should file an appearance in the matter if the property is not abandoned.
The municipality, however, may proceed under this subsection in a proceeding brought under subsection (a) or (b). Notice of the petition shall be served in person or by certified or registered mail on all persons who were served notice under subsection (a) or (b).
If the municipality proves that the conditions described in this subsection exist and (i) the owner of record of the property does not enter an appearance in the action, or, if title to the property is held by an Illinois land trust, if neither the owner of record nor the owner of the beneficial interest of the trust enters an appearance, or (ii) if the owner of record or the beneficiary of a land trust, if title to the property is held by an Illinois land trust, enters an appearance and specifically waives his or her rights under this subsection (d), the court shall declare the property abandoned. Notwithstanding any waiver, the municipality may move to dismiss its petition at any time. In addition, any waiver in a proceeding under this subsection (d) does not serve as a waiver for any other proceeding under law or equity.
If that determination is made, notice shall be sent in person or by certified or registered mail to all persons having an interest of record in the property, including tax purchasers and beneficial owners of any Illinois land trust having title to the property, stating that title to the property will be transferred to the municipality unless, within 30 days of the notice, the owner of record or any other person having an interest in the property files with the court a request to demolish any or all dangerous or unsafe buildings or to put the building in safe condition, or unless the owner of record enters an appearance and proves that the owner does not intend to abandon the property.
If the owner of record enters an appearance in the action within the 30 day period, but does not at that time file with the court a request to demolish the dangerous or unsafe building or to put the property in safe condition, or specifically waive his or her rights under this subsection (d), the court shall vacate its order declaring the property abandoned if it determines that the owner of record does not intend to abandon the property. In that case, the municipality may amend its complaint in order to initiate proceedings under subsection (a), or it may request that the court order the owner to demolish buildings or repair the dangerous or unsafe conditions of the property alleged in the petition or seek the appointment of a receiver or other equitable relief to correct the conditions at the property. The powers and rights of a receiver appointed under this subsection (d) shall include all of the powers and rights of a receiver appointed under Section 11-31-2 of this Code.
If a request to demolish or repair a building or property is filed within the 30 day period, the court shall grant permission to the requesting party to demolish the building or repair the property within 60 days after the request is granted. An extension of that period for up to 60 additional days may be given for good cause. If more than one person with an interest in the property files a timely request, preference shall be given to the owner of record if the owner filed a request or, if the owner did not, the person with the lien or other interest of the highest priority.
If the requesting party (other than the owner of record) proves to the court that the building has been demolished or put in a safe condition in accordance with the local safety codes within the period of time granted by the court, the court shall issue a quitclaim judicial deed for the property to the requesting party, conveying only the interest of the owner of record, upon proof of payment to the municipality of all costs incurred by the municipality in connection with the action, including but not limited to court costs, attorney's fees, administrative costs, the costs, if any, associated with property maintenance, and receiver's certificates. The interest in the property so conveyed shall be subject to all liens and encumbrances on the property. In addition, if the interest is conveyed to a person holding a certificate of purchase for the property under the Property Tax Code, the conveyance shall be subject to the rights of redemption of all persons entitled to redeem under that Act, including the original owner of record. If the requesting party is the owner of record and proves to the court that the building has been demolished or put in a safe condition in accordance with the local safety codes within the period of time granted by the court, the court shall dismiss the proceeding under this subsection (d).
If the owner of record has not entered an appearance and proven that the owner did not intend to abandon the property, and if no person with an interest in the property files a timely request or if the requesting party fails to demolish the building or put the property in safe condition within the time specified by the court, the municipality may petition the court to issue a judicial deed for the property to the municipality or another governmental body designated by the municipality in the petition. A conveyance by judicial deed shall operate to extinguish all existing ownership interests in, liens on, and other interest in the property, including tax liens, and shall extinguish the rights and interests of any and all holders of a bona fide certificate of purchase of the property for delinquent taxes. Any such bona fide certificate of purchase holder shall be entitled to a sale in error as prescribed under Section 21-310 of the Property Tax Code.
If a residential or commercial building is 3 stories or less in height as defined by the municipality's building code, and the corporate official designated to be in charge of enforcing the municipality's building code determines that the building is open and vacant and an immediate and continuing hazard to the community in which the building is located, then the official shall be authorized to post a notice not less than 2 feet by 2 feet in size on the front of the building. The notice shall be dated as of the date of the posting and shall state that unless the building is demolished, repaired, or enclosed, and unless any garbage, debris, and other hazardous, noxious, or unhealthy substances or materials are removed so that an immediate and continuing hazard to the community no longer exists, then the building may be demolished, repaired, or enclosed, or any garbage, debris, and other hazardous, noxious, or unhealthy substances or materials may be removed, by the municipality.
Not later than 30 days following the posting of the notice, the municipality shall do all of the following:
Any person or persons with a current legal or equitable interest in the property objecting to the proposed actions of the corporate authorities may file his or her objection in an appropriate form in a court of competent jurisdiction.
If the building is not demolished, repaired, or enclosed, or the garbage, debris, or other hazardous, noxious, or unhealthy substances or materials are not removed, within 30 days of mailing the notice to the owners of record, the beneficial owners of any Illinois land trust having title to the property, and all lienholders of record in the property, or within 30 days of the last day of publication of the notice, whichever is later, the corporate authorities shall have the power to demolish, repair, or enclose the building or to remove any garbage, debris, or other hazardous, noxious, or unhealthy substances or materials.
The municipality may proceed to demolish, repair, or enclose a building or remove any garbage, debris, or other hazardous, noxious, or unhealthy substances or materials under this subsection within a 120-day period following the date of the mailing of the notice if the appropriate official determines that the demolition, repair, enclosure, or removal of any garbage, debris, or other hazardous, noxious, or unhealthy substances or materials is necessary to remedy the immediate and continuing hazard. If, however, before the municipality proceeds with any of the actions authorized by this subsection, any person with a legal or equitable interest in the property has sought a hearing under this subsection before a court and has served a copy of the complaint on the chief executive officer of the municipality, then the municipality shall not proceed with the demolition, repair, enclosure, or removal of garbage, debris, or other substances until the court determines that that action is necessary to remedy the hazard and issues an order authorizing the municipality to do so. If the court dismisses the action for want of prosecution, the municipality must send the objector a copy of the dismissal order and a letter stating that the demolition, repair, enclosure, or removal of garbage, debris, or other substances will proceed unless, within 30 days after the copy of the order and the letter are mailed, the objector moves to vacate the dismissal and serves a copy of the motion on the chief executive officer of the municipality. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, if the objector does not file a motion and give the required notice, if the motion is denied by the court, or if the action is again dismissed for want of prosecution, then the dismissal is with prejudice and the demolition, repair, enclosure, or removal may proceed forthwith.
The municipality must maintain documentation submitted from a contractor on the disposal of any demolition debris, clean or general, or uncontaminated soil generated during the demolition, repair, or enclosure of a building for a period of 3 years identifying the hauler, generator, place of origin of the debris or soil, the weight or volume of the debris or soil, and the location, owner, and operator of the facility where the debris or soil was transferred, disposed, recycled, or treated. The documentation required by this paragraph does not apply to a permitted pollution control facility that transfers or accepts construction or demolition debris, clean or general, or uncontaminated soil for final disposal, recycling, or treatment.
Following the demolition, repair, or enclosure of a building, or the removal of garbage, debris, or other hazardous, noxious, or unhealthy substances or materials under this subsection, the municipality may file a notice of lien against the real estate for the cost of the demolition, repair, enclosure, or removal within 180 days after the repair, demolition, enclosure, or removal occurred, for the cost and expense incurred, in the office of the recorder in the county in which the real estate is located or in the office of the registrar of titles of the county if the real estate affected is registered under the Registered Titles (Torrens) Act; this lien has priority over the interests of those parties named in the Notice to Remediate mailed under paragraph (1), but not over the interests of third party purchasers or encumbrancers for value who obtained their interests in the property before obtaining actual or constructive notice of the lien. The notice of lien shall consist of a sworn statement setting forth (i) a description of the real estate, such as the address or other description of the property, sufficient for its identification; (ii) the expenses incurred by the municipality in undertaking the remedial actions authorized under this subsection; (iii) the date or dates the expenses were incurred by the municipality; (iv) a statement by the corporate official responsible for enforcing the building code that the building was open and vacant and constituted an immediate and continuing hazard to the community; (v) a statement by the corporate official that the required sign was posted on the building, that notice was sent by certified mail to the owners of record, and that notice was published in accordance with this subsection; and (vi) a statement as to when and where the notice was published. The lien authorized by this subsection may thereafter be released or enforced by the municipality as provided in subsection (a).
For purposes of this subsection (f):
The corporate authorities shall apply to the circuit court of the county in which the property is located (i) for an order allowing the municipality to enter the property and inspect and test substances on, in, or under the property; or (ii) for an order authorizing the corporate authorities to take action with respect to remediation of the property if conditions on the property, based on the inspection and testing authorized in paragraph (i), indicate the presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products. Remediation shall be deemed complete for purposes of paragraph (ii) above when the property satisfies Tier I, II, or III remediation objectives for the property's most recent usage, as established by the Environmental Protection Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Where, upon diligent search, the identity or whereabouts of the owner or owners of the property, including the lien holders of record, is not ascertainable, notice mailed to the person or persons in whose name the real estate was last assessed is sufficient notice under this Section.
The court shall grant an order authorizing testing under paragraph (i) above upon a showing of preliminary evidence indicating the presence or likely presence of a hazardous substance or a petroleum product or a release of or a substantial threat of a release of a hazardous substance or a petroleum product on, in, or under abandoned property. The preliminary evidence may include, but is not limited to, evidence of prior use, visual site inspection, or records of prior environmental investigations. The testing authorized by paragraph (i) above shall include any type of investigation which is necessary for an environmental professional to determine the environmental condition of the property, including but not limited to performance of soil borings and groundwater monitoring. The court shall grant a remediation order under paragraph (ii) above where testing of the property indicates that it fails to meet the applicable remediation objectives. The hearing upon the application to the circuit court shall be expedited by the court and shall be given precedence over all other suits.
The cost of the inspection, testing, or remediation incurred by the municipality or by a lien holder of record, including court costs, attorney's fees, and other costs related to the enforcement of this Section, is a lien on the real estate; except that in any instances where a municipality incurs costs of inspection and testing but finds no hazardous substances or petroleum products on the property that present an actual or imminent threat to public health and safety, such costs are not recoverable from the owners nor are such costs a lien on the real estate. The lien is superior to all prior existing liens and encumbrances, except taxes and any lien obtained under subsection (a) or (e), if, within 180 days after the completion of the inspection, testing, or remediation, the municipality or the lien holder of record who incurred the cost and expense shall file a notice of lien for the cost and expense incurred in the office of the recorder in the county in which the real estate is located or in the office of the registrar of titles of the county if the real estate affected is registered under the Registered Titles (Torrens) Act.
The notice must consist of a sworn statement setting out (i) a description of the real estate sufficient for its identification, (ii) the amount of money representing the cost and expense incurred, and (iii) the date or dates when the cost and expense was incurred by the municipality or the lien holder of record. Upon payment of the lien amount by the owner of or persons interested in the property after the notice of lien has been filed, a release of lien shall be issued by the municipality, the person in whose name the lien has been filed, or the assignee of the lien, and the release may be filed of record as in the case of filing notice of lien.
The lien may be enforced under subsection (c) or by foreclosure proceedings as in the case of mortgage foreclosures under Article XV of the Code of Civil Procedure or mechanics' lien foreclosures; provided that where the lien is enforced by foreclosure under subsection (c) or under either statute, the municipality may not proceed against the other assets of the owner or owners of the real estate for any costs that otherwise would be recoverable under this Section but that remain unsatisfied after foreclosure except where such additional recovery is authorized by separate environmental laws. An action to foreclose this lien may be commenced at any time after the date of filing of the notice of lien. The costs of foreclosure incurred by the municipality, including court costs, reasonable attorney's fees, advances to preserve the property, and other costs related to the enforcement of this subsection, plus statutory interest, are a lien on the real estate.
All liens arising under this subsection (f) shall be assignable. The assignee of the lien shall have the same power to enforce the lien as the assigning party, except that the lien may not be enforced under subsection (c).
65 ILCS 5/11-31-1