If the collector receives any money for taxes or assessments, or installments thereof, and gives a receipt therefor, for any land or parcel of land, and afterwards makes a return that the tax assessment, or installment thereof was unpaid, to the State officers authorized to sell land for taxes, or receives the amount so payable after that return has been made, and that property is sold for any tax, assessment, or installment thereof which has been so paid and receipted for by himself or his clerks, the collector and his bondsmen shall be liable to the holder of the certificate given to the purchaser at that sale for double the amount of the face of the certificate. This sum may be demanded in 2 years from the date of the sale, and recovered in any court having jurisdiction of the amount. The municipality in no case shall be liable to the holder of such a certificate.
65 ILCS 5/9-2-95