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Illinois Compiled Statutes

Information maintained by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Updating the database of the Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) is an ongoing process. Recent laws may not yet be included in the ILCS database, but they are found on this site as Public Acts soon after they become law. For information concerning the relationship between statutes and Public Acts, refer to the Guide.

Because the statute database is maintained primarily for legislative drafting purposes, statutory changes are sometimes included in the statute database before they take effect. If the source note at the end of a Section of the statutes includes a Public Act that has not yet taken effect, the version of the law that is currently in effect may have already been removed from the database and you should refer to that Public Act to see the changes made to the current law.


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35 ILCS 200/21-397

    (35 ILCS 200/21-397)
    Sec. 21-397. Notice of order setting aside redemption. In counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, if an order is entered setting aside a redemption made within the time allowed by law after a petition for tax deed has been filed, the holder of the certificate of purchase shall mail a copy of the order within 7 days of entry of the order by registered or certified mail to the county clerk, to the person who made the redemption, and to all parties entitled to notice of the petition under Section 22-10, 22-15, or 22-25. The order shall provide that any person who was entitled to redeem may pay to the county clerk within 30 days after the entry of the order the amount necessary to redeem the property from the sale as of the last day of the period of redemption. The county clerk shall make an entry in the annual tax judgment, sale, redemption, and forfeiture record reflecting the entry of the order and shall immediately upon request provide an estimate of the amount required to effect a redemption as of the last date of the period of redemption. If the amount is paid within 30 days after entry of the order, then the court shall enter an order declaring the taxes to be paid as if the property had been redeemed within the time required by law and dismissing the petition for tax deed. A tax deed shall not be issued within the 30-day period. Upon surrender of the certificate of purchase, the county clerk shall distribute the funds deposited as if a timely redemption had been made. This Section applies to all redemptions that occur after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly.
(Source: P.A. 91-564, eff. 8-14-99.)

35 ILCS 200/Art. 21 Div. 8

 
    (35 ILCS 200/Art. 21 Div. 8 heading)
Division 8. Other procedures

35 ILCS 200/21-400

    (35 ILCS 200/21-400)
    Sec. 21-400. Special assessments withdrawn.
    In counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, the county clerk, upon request of the city comptroller or other municipal officer authorized by the city council or board of trustees of any city, village or incorporated town to make such request, shall issue to the city, village or incorporated town, a certificate of withdrawal countersigned by the county collector for each property withdrawn for non-payment of any special assessment. The certificate of withdrawal shall describe the property withdrawn, the date of the withdrawal or forfeiture, and the amount of the special assessment, interest and costs.
(Source: P.A. 103-555, eff. 1-1-24.)

35 ILCS 200/21-405

    (35 ILCS 200/21-405)
    Sec. 21-405. Special assessments withdrawn or forfeited.
    When property has been forfeited for delinquent general taxes or special assessments, a person desiring to purchase the property shall make application to the county clerk. The application shall be accompanied by a fee of $10 in counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants and $5 in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants for each item on which application is made. The county clerk shall promptly send notice by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the party in whose name the general taxes were last assessed or paid. The notice shall adequately describe the property, shall state the name and address of the party in whose name the general taxes were last assessed or paid, shall recite that application has been made to purchase the property for forfeited taxes or special assessments and that the property will be sold unless redemption is made within 30 days of the mailing of notice. For 30 days after the mailing, the property may be redeemed under Section 21-370.
    If redemption is not made, the county clerk shall receive from the purchaser the amount due on forfeited special assessments, together with the interest, costs and penalties thereon fixed by law, and shall issue an order to the county collector directing him or her to receive from the purchaser the amount of the forfeited general taxes, together with the costs, interest, fees and forfeiture interest provided in Section 21-370. In the order, the county clerk shall recite the amounts received by him or her on account of forfeited special assessments and shall direct the county collector to issue a receipt in the form of a certificate of purchase. Upon presentation of the order of the county clerk, the county collector shall receive the amount due on account of forfeited general taxes, and shall issue a receipt therefor in the form of a certificate of purchase.
    The certificate of purchase shall set forth a description of the property, and the amount paid by the purchaser on account of general taxes and special assessments, and shall be countersigned by the county clerk. When so countersigned, the certificate of purchase shall be evidence of the sale of the property and of the receipt by the county collector of the amounts ordered to be received by him or her by the county clerk on account of general taxes, and evidence of receipt by the county clerk of the amount received by him or her on account of forfeited special assessments. A certificate of purchase shall not be valid until it is countersigned by the county clerk. Upon countersigning the certificate, the county clerk shall make a proper entry of the sale of the property on the appropriate books, and charge the amount of the sale money of forfeited general taxes to the collector.
    Property purchased under this Section shall be subject to redemption, notice, etc., the same as if sold under Section 21-110 through 21-120. Any special assessment which has been withdrawn from collection by the municipality levying it shall not be subject to sale, but the purchaser, prior to the entry of any order for the issuance of a tax deed based on a sale under this Section, shall pay to the officer entitled to receive the amount due on all the withdrawn special assessments. The purchaser may file his or her receipts with the county clerk and have them posted on the tax judgment, sale, redemption and forfeiture record at the same rate of penalty and in the same manner as in the case of payment of taxes and special assessments accruing after the sale, as provided in Section 21-355.
    This Section does not apply to any application or forfeiture that occurs on or after January 1, 2024.
(Source: P.A. 103-555, eff. 1-1-24.)

35 ILCS 200/21-410

    (35 ILCS 200/21-410)
    Sec. 21-410. Waste; appointment of receiver. After any sale of property under this Code and until a tax deed has been issued or until redemption has been made, no waste shall be committed on any of the properties involved. The court which ordered the property to be sold may, upon verified petition of the holder of the certificate of purchase, take such action as the court deems necessary and desirable to prevent the commission of waste.
    If the property sold is improved with an abandoned building or structure or if any municipality or other local governmental body has legal action pending because the property violates local building, housing, or fire ordinances, or because the taxes on the property are delinquent for 2 or more years, the court which ordered the property to be sold may, upon verified petition of the holder of the certificate of purchase, enter an order for appointment of a receiver. Notice of the hearing for appointment of the receiver shall be given to the owner or owners of the property and to the person in whose name the taxes were last assessed, by certified or registered mail sent to their last known addresses, at least 5 days prior to the date of the hearing.
    The receiver may take only that action, subject to court approval, as is necessary for the preservation of the property or is necessary to correct conditions at the property that fail to conform to minimum standards of health and safety, as set forth in local ordinances. If a receiver is appointed, all costs and expenses advanced by the receiver shall be repaid as provided for in Section 21-355 before any redemption is considered complete. The receiver shall be discharged upon redemption from the tax sale or upon entry of an order directing issuance of a tax deed. Nothing herein contained is intended to prevent a court from appointing the holder of the certificate of purchase as receiver. The holder of the certificate of purchase shall be made a party to any action or proceeding to demolish or destroy improvements on property where the property has been sold for failure to pay taxes and the period of redemption has not expired.
(Source: P.A. 85-795; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/21-415

    (35 ILCS 200/21-415)
    Sec. 21-415. Reconveyance. When the grantee of a tax deed issued pursuant to a sale held on or prior to September 1, 1951, or any one claiming thereunder, has not perfected his title in accordance with Section 13-109 of the Code of Civil Procedure, it is lawful for the owner of the property or his agent or attorney to pay or tender to the tax title holder the moneys expended by the tax title holder upon the sale with 7% interest per year thereon, together with subsequent taxes and special assessments paid and the statutory fees and costs incurred. When the payment or tender is made the tax title holder shall reconvey the property to the owner thereof. The amount of the tender may be based upon an estimate prepared by the county clerk. However, the county clerk is not required to include any subsequent taxes or special assessments in his certificate of redemption, nor shall the payment thereof be a charge upon the property, unless the purchaser, assignee, or holder of the tax certificate has filed with the county clerk, before redemption, an official, original or duplicate tax collector's receipt for the payment of the subsequent taxes or special assessments, and the tax collector shall execute and furnish such duplicate tax receipts.
    In preparing the estimates, the county clerk shall include, in addition to the amount of moneys herein provided for, the following fees to the tax title holder:
        (a) For preparing the affidavit of compliance with
    
law, $1 in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants and $2 in counties of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants.
        (b) For service of the notices provided by law, which
    
must be served by holders of certificates of sale, to occupants, owners or parties interested in property sold for taxes, $3 in counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants and $5 in counties of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants for each property listed, assessed and sold in one description.
        (c) The actual cost of recording the tax deed.
    The county clerk may charge $5 for preparing the estimate which shall be prima facie evidence of the amount due the tax title holder.
(Source: P.A. 87-669; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/21-420

    (35 ILCS 200/21-420)
    Sec. 21-420. Failure to reconvey. Any tax title holder failing or refusing to reconvey the property to the owner on demand after payment or tender or deposit of the amounts due, as provided in Section 21-415, shall be guilty of a petty offense. One-half of the fine shall go to the property owner and one-half to the county.
(Source: P.A. 77-2236; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/21-425

    (35 ILCS 200/21-425)
    Sec. 21-425. Reconveyance by sheriff. If the grantee of a tax deed, or any one claiming thereunder, fails or refuses to reconvey the property to the owner or owners thereof on demand after payment or tender or deposit of the amount due as provided in Section 21-415, the owner or owners may petition the circuit court in the same proceeding in which the order for issuance of tax deed was entered, asking that the amount of the tender, if not already deposited, may be deposited with the county treasurer and that the sheriff in that county be ordered to reconvey in the name of the holder of the tax title the property to the owner or owners thereof. Notice of the filing of the petition and the date of hearing thereon shall be given as the court may direct. Upon proof that the required amount has been deposited with the county treasurer and that the petitioner has complied with all requirements of law entitling him or her to a reconveyance of the tax title, the court shall enter an order directing the sheriff to reconvey the property in the name of the holder of the tax title to the owner or owners thereof.
    Whenever the tax purchaser makes application to withdraw moneys deposited with the county treasurer he or she shall deliver to the county treasurer a reconveyance of the tax title to the person or persons who made the deposit.
(Source: Laws 1965, p. 3718; P.A. 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/21-430

    (35 ILCS 200/21-430)
    Sec. 21-430. Partial settlement. In the event an owner or party interested requests to make settlement on a part of the property sold to a municipality, withdrawn from collection or forfeited to the county for the non-payment of special assessments, the municipal officer is hereby authorized to accept the pro rata amount of any or all installments of the special assessment. That amount shall be computed by the board of local improvements, or other board or officer levying the special assessment, together with interest, costs and penalties as provided by law.
    A petition containing the computation shall then be presented by the municipality to the court wherein the original assessment was confirmed. The petition shall bear the same number and title as the original proceeding. At least 10 days before the date set for the hearing of the petition, notices shall be sent by mail, postpaid, to each of the persons who last paid the general taxes on the property originally assessed. The notices shall contain the description of the property as originally assessed, as it is to be divided, and the division of the original assessment, or installments thereof, together with interest, costs and penalties, showing the amount to be charged against each part of the property of land so divided, the date when the petition is to be heard, and the date when objections thereto may be filed.
    An affidavit by one of the members of the board of local improvements, or other board or officer computing the division, attesting to the mailing is prima facie evidence of a compliance with this Section. The court shall proceed to determine a fair and equitable division of the assessment, or any installment thereof, together with all interest, penalties and costs. The court shall order the cancellation of the certificate of sale, withdrawal or forfeiture on any part of the property if settlement is made within 10 days from the date of the court's order.
    The county clerk may note on the certificate the partial cancellation and shall issue a certificate of cancellation on that part of the property and return the certificate to the municipality. Where a certificate of forfeiture or withdrawal has not been issued, the county clerk may accept the Receipt of Deposit for Redemption, issued by the municipal officer, as provided by law, and the clerk shall issue a certificate of cancellation on that part of the property. He or she shall make proper entry on his or her records showing the part of the property on which settlement has been made and the amount due on the balance.
(Source: P.A. 103-555, eff. 1-1-24.)

35 ILCS 200/21-435

    (35 ILCS 200/21-435)
    Sec. 21-435. Duty of county clerk to pay over to municipality. The county clerk shall, within 30 days after they have been collected by him or her, pay over to the office of the municipality entitled to receive them all special assessments, penalties and interest on those special assessments, and statutory costs advanced by the municipality due on account of the redemption or sale of the forfeited property.
(Source: P.A. 76-2254; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/21-440

    (35 ILCS 200/21-440)
    Sec. 21-440. Action for collection of taxes and special assessments. The county board may, at any time after final judgment and order of sale against delinquent property under Section 21-180, institute a civil action in the name of the People of the State of Illinois in the circuit court for the whole amount due for taxes and special assessments on the delinquent or forfeited property. Any county, city, village, incorporated town, school district or other municipal corporation to which any tax or special assessment is due, may, at any time after final judgment under Section 21-180, institute a civil action in its own name, in the circuit court, for the amount of the tax or special assessment due to it on the delinquent or forfeited property, and prosecute the same to final judgment. On the sale of any property following judgment in the civil action, the county, city, village, incorporated town, school district or other municipal corporation, interested in the collection of the tax, may become purchaser at the sale. If the property so sold is not redeemed the purchaser may acquire, hold, sell or dispose of the title thereto, the same as individuals may do under the laws of this State. In any action for delinquent or forfeited taxes, the fact that property was assessed to a person shall be prima facie evidence that the person was the owner thereof, and was liable for the taxes for the year or years for which the assessment was made. That fact may be proved by the introduction in evidence of the proper assessment book or roll, or other competent proof. Any judgment rendered for delinquent or forfeited general taxes under this Section shall include the costs of the action and reasonable attorney's fees.
(Source: P.A. 86-949; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/21-445

    (35 ILCS 200/21-445)
    Sec. 21-445. Tax and special assessment foreclosure proceedings. In tax and special assessment foreclosure proceedings, the purchaser or assignee shall file a petition for a deed in the proceeding in which the foreclosure order was entered. Notice of the filing of the petition and of the hearing on the petition shall be given in conformity with rule or practice of court in regard to motions as in other civil actions.
(Source: P.A. 79-1366; 88-455.)

35 ILCS 200/Art. 22

 
    (35 ILCS 200/Art. 22 heading)
Article 22. Tax Deeds and Procedures

35 ILCS 200/22-5

    (35 ILCS 200/22-5)
    Sec. 22-5. Notice of sale and redemption rights. In order to be entitled to a tax deed, within 4 months and 15 days after any sale held under this Code, the purchaser or his or her assignee, and the county for all forfeited certificates from the annual sale, shall deliver to the county clerk a notice to be given to the party in whose name the taxes are last assessed as shown by the most recent tax collector's warrant books, in at least 10 point type in the following form completely filled in:
TAKE NOTICE
    County of ................................................
    Date Premises Sold or Forfeited ..........................
    Certificate No. ..........................................
    Sold for General Taxes of (year) .........................
    Sold for Special Assessment of (Municipality)
    and special assessment number ............................
    Warrant No. ............... Inst. No. .................
THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN SOLD FOR
DELINQUENT TAXES
Property Address (as identified on the most recent tax bill, if available) .
Legal Description or Property Index No. ......................
..............................................................
..............................................................
    This notice is to advise you that a petition may be filed for a tax deed which will transfer title and the right to possession of the above-referenced property ("Property") if redemption is not made on or before the redemption deadline.
    To determine the redemption deadline and the total amount you must pay to redeem the sold taxes, you must immediately contact the County Clerk at the address, phone number, or email address below. Check with the County Clerk for the exact amount you owe before redeeming. Payment must be made by certified check, cashier's check, money order, or in cash to the County Clerk.
YOU ARE URGED TO REDEEM IMMEDIATELY TO
PREVENT LOSS OF PROPERTY
    Property sold under the Property Tax Code may be redeemed by any owner or person holding an interest in the Property at any time before the following deadlines (based on property classification as of the Date of Sale):
    You must redeem your taxes within one year of the Date of Sale for the following classifications:
        (1) vacant non-farm property;
        (2) property containing an improvement consisting of
    
a structure or structures with 7 or more residential units; and
        (3) commercial or industrial property.
    You must redeem your taxes within 2 1/2 years of the Date of Sale for the following classifications:
        (1) all residential property with less than 6 units;
    
and
        (2) all other property not covered by the 1-year
    
redemption period outlined above.
    Redemption deadlines may have been extended by the certificate holder or pursuant to Illinois law. To confirm the redemption deadline, you must contact the County Clerk at the address, telephone number, or email address below. Redemption can be made at any time on or before .... by applying to the County Clerk of .... County, Illinois at the Office of the County Clerk in ...., Illinois. The address, telephone number, and email address for the County Clerk is as follows:
ADDRESS:............................
TELEPHONE AND/OR EMAIL ADDRESS:..........................
    For further information about the redemption deadline, redemption amount, or payment process, please contact the County Clerk.
 
 
    Within 10 days after receipt of said notice, the county clerk shall mail to the addresses supplied by the purchaser or assignee, by registered or certified mail, copies of said notice to the party in whose name the taxes are last assessed as shown by the most recent tax collector's warrant books. With the exception of a county or taxing district acquiring certificates pursuant to Section 21-90 and 21-260, all purchasers or assignees shall pay to the clerk postage plus the sum of $10. The clerk shall write or stamp the date of receiving the notices upon the copies of the notices, and retain one copy.
    With the exception of forfeited tax liens or certificates held by the county pursuant to Section 21-90, all redemption periods shall begin on the date of sale. For forfeited tax liens or certificates held by the county pursuant to Section 21-90, the county may cure any defect in a notice, or failure to send a notice as required by this Section, by delivering to the county clerk a notice to be given to the party in whose name the taxes are last assessed as shown by the most recent tax collector's warrant books. The redemption period begins on the date the county delivered the corrected notice to the clerk, if such extension is otherwise permitted by law.
    The changes to this Section made by this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly apply only to tax sales that occur on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly.
    The changes made to this Section by this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly apply to matters concerning tax certificates issued on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly.
(Source: P.A. 102-815, eff. 5-13-22; 103-555, eff. 1-1-24.)

35 ILCS 200/22-10

    (35 ILCS 200/22-10)
    Sec. 22-10. Notice of expiration of period of redemption. A purchaser or assignee shall not be entitled to a tax deed to the property sold unless, not less than 3 months nor more than 6 months prior to the expiration of the period of redemption, he or she gives notice of the sale and the date of expiration of the period of redemption to the owners, occupants, and parties interested in the property, including any mortgagee of record, as provided below. For counties or taxing districts holding certificates pursuant to Section 21-90, the date of expiration of the period of redemption shall be designated by the county or taxing district in its petition for tax deed and identified in the notice below, which shall be filed with the county clerk.
    The Notice to be given to the parties shall be in at least 10-point type in the following form completely filled in:
TAX DEED NO. .................... FILED ....................
TAKE NOTICE
    County of ................................................
    Date Premises Sold or Forfeited ..........................
    Certificate No. .........................................
    Sold or Forfeited for General Taxes of (year) ............
    Sold for Special Assessment of (Municipality)
    and special assessment number ............................
    Warrant No. ................ Inst. No. .................
THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN SOLD FOR
DELINQUENT TAXES
Property Address (as identified on the most recent tax bill, if available) .
Legal Description or Property Index No. ......................
..............................................................
..............................................................
    This notice is to advise you that the above property has been sold for delinquent taxes and that the period of redemption from the sale will expire on .
..............................................................
    Check with the county clerk as to the exact amount you owe before redeeming.
    This notice is also to advise you that a petition has been filed for a tax deed which will transfer title and the right to possession of this property if redemption is not made on or before .
    This matter is set for hearing in the Circuit Court of this county in ...., Illinois on .....
    You may be present at this hearing but your right to redeem will already have expired at that time.
YOU ARE URGED TO REDEEM IMMEDIATELY
TO PREVENT LOSS OF PROPERTY
    Redemption can be made at any time on or before .... by applying to the County Clerk of ...., County, Illinois at the Office of the County Clerk in ...., Illinois.
    For further information contact the County Clerk
ADDRESS:....................
TELEPHONE AND/OR EMAIL ADDRESS:..................
 
..........................
Purchaser or Assignee.
Dated (insert date).

 
    In counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, the notice shall also state the address, room number, and time at which the matter is set for hearing.
    The changes to this Section made by Public Act 97-557 apply only to matters in which a petition for tax deed is filed on or after July 1, 2012 (the effective date of Public Act 97-557).
    The changes to this Section made by Public Act 102-1003 apply to matters in which a petition for tax deed is filed on or after May 27, 2022 (the effective date of Public Act 102-1003). Failure of any party or any public official to comply with the changes made to this Section by Public Act 102-528 does not invalidate any tax deed issued prior to May 27, 2022 (the effective date of Public Act 102-1003).
    The changes made to this Section by this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly apply to matters concerning tax certificates issued on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly.
(Source: P.A. 102-528, eff. 1-1-22; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22; 102-1003, eff. 5-27-22; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23; 103-555, eff. 1-1-24.)

35 ILCS 200/22-15

    (35 ILCS 200/22-15)
    Sec. 22-15. Service of notice. The purchaser or his or her assignee shall give the notice required by Section 22-10 by causing it to be published in a newspaper as set forth in Section 22-20. In addition, the notice shall be served upon owners who reside on any part of the subject property by leaving a copy of the notice with those owners personally. The notice must be served by a sheriff (or if he or she is disqualified, by a coroner) of the county in which the property, or any part thereof, is located or, by a person who is licensed or registered as a private detective under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004.
    In counties of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, if the notice required by Section 22-10 is to be served by the sheriff, no sale in error may be declared pursuant to Section 22-50 or subparagraph (5) of subsection (a) of Section 21-310 based upon the sheriff's failure to serve the notice in accordance with this Section unless the notice and service list for the first service attempt is delivered by the purchaser or assignee to the sheriff at least 5 months prior to the expiration of the period of redemption. Purchasers or assignees may request that the sheriff make additional service attempts to the same entities and locations, and the sheriff may make those additional attempts within the noticing period established in Section 22-10, but the sheriff's failure to make such additional service attempts is not grounds for a sale in error under Section 22-50 or subparagraph (5) of subsection (a) of Section 21-310.
    In counties of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, if the purchaser or assignee requests that the sheriff make an additional service attempt upon an entity or to a location that was not included on the service list for the first attempt, then the purchaser or assignee must deliver the notice and service list for the additional service attempt to the sheriff at least 4 months before the expiration of the period of redemption. If the purchaser or assignee delivers the notice and service list for an additional service attempt upon an entity or to a location that was not included on the service list for the first attempt to the sheriff at least 4 months before the expiration of the period of redemption, then the sheriff's failure to serve the notice in accordance with this Section may be grounds for a sale in error under Section 22-50 but not under subparagraph (5) of subsection (a) of Section 21-310. If the purchaser or assignee fails to deliver the notice and service list for an additional service attempt upon an entity or to a location that was not included on the first service list to the sheriff at least 4 months prior to the expiration of the period of redemption, then the sheriff's failure to serve that additional notice in accordance with this Section is not grounds for a sale in error under either Section 22-50 or subparagraph (5) of subsection (a) of Section 21-310.
    In counties of 3,000,000 or more inhabitants where a taxing district is a petitioner for tax deed pursuant to Section 21-90, in lieu of service by the sheriff or coroner the notice may be served by a special process server appointed by the circuit court as provided in this Section. The taxing district may move prior to filing one or more petitions for tax deed for appointment of such a special process server. The court, upon being satisfied that the person named in the motion is at least 18 years of age and is capable of serving notice as required under this Code, shall enter an order appointing such person as a special process server for a period of one year. The appointment may be renewed for successive periods of one year each by motion and order, and a copy of the original and any subsequent order shall be filed in each tax deed case in which a notice is served by the appointed person. Delivery of the notice to and service of the notice by the special process server shall have the same force and effect as its delivery to and service by the sheriff or coroner.
    The same form of notice shall also be served, in the manner set forth under Sections 2-203, 2-204, 2-205, 2-205.1, and 2-211 of the Code of Civil Procedure, upon all other owners and parties interested in the property, if upon diligent inquiry they can be found in the county, and upon the occupants of the property.
    If the property sold has more than 4 dwellings or other rental units, and has a managing agent or party who collects rents, that person shall be deemed the occupant and shall be served with notice instead of the occupants of the individual units. If the property has no dwellings or rental units, but economic or recreational activities are carried on therein, the person directing such activities shall be deemed the occupant. Holders of rights of entry and possibilities of reverter shall not be deemed parties interested in the property.
    When a party interested in the property is a trustee, notice served upon the trustee shall be deemed to have been served upon any beneficiary or note holder thereunder unless the holder of the note is disclosed of record.
    When a judgment is a lien upon the property sold, the holder of the lien shall be served with notice if the name of the judgment debtor as shown in the transcript, certified copy or memorandum of judgment filed of record is identical, as to given name and surname, with the name of the party interested as it appears of record.
    If any owner or party interested, upon diligent inquiry and effort, cannot be found or served with notice in the county as provided in this Section, and the person in actual occupancy and possession is tenant to, or in possession under the owners or the parties interested in the property, then service of notice upon the tenant, occupant or person in possession shall be deemed service upon the owners or parties interested.
    If any owner or party interested, upon diligent inquiry and effort cannot be found or served with notice in the county, then the person making the service shall cause a copy of the notice to be sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to that party at his or her residence, if ascertainable.
    The changes to this Section made by Public Act 95-477 apply only to matters in which a petition for tax deed is filed on or after June 1, 2008 (the effective date of Public Act 95-477).
(Source: P.A. 103-555, eff. 1-1-24.)

35 ILCS 200/22-20

    (35 ILCS 200/22-20)
    Sec. 22-20. Proof of service of notice; publication of notice. The sheriff or coroner serving notice under Section 22-15 shall endorse his or her return thereon and file it with the Clerk of the Circuit Court and it shall be a part of the court record. A private detective or a special process server appointed under Section 22-15 shall make his or her return by affidavit and shall file it with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, where it shall be a part of the court record. If a sheriff, private detective, special process server, or coroner to whom any notice is delivered for service, neglects or refuses to make the return, the purchaser or his or her assignee may petition the court to enter a rule requiring the sheriff, private detective, special process server, or coroner to make return of the notice on a day to be fixed by the court, or to show cause on that day why he or she should not be attached for contempt of the court. The purchaser or assignee shall cause a written notice of the rule to be served upon the sheriff, private detective, special process server, or coroner. If good and sufficient cause to excuse the sheriff, private detective, special process server, or coroner is not shown, the court shall adjudge him or her guilty of a contempt, and shall proceed to punish him as in other cases of contempt.
    If the property is located in a municipality in a county with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants, the purchaser or his or her assignee shall also publish a notice as to the owner or party interested, in some newspaper published in the municipality. If the property is not in a municipality in a county with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants, or if no newspaper is published therein, or if the property is in a county with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, the notice shall be published in some newspaper in the county. If no newspaper is published in the county, then the notice shall be published in the newspaper that is published nearest the county seat of the county in which the property is located. If the owners and parties interested in the property upon diligent inquiry are unknown to the purchaser or his or her assignee, the publication as to such owner or party interested, may be made to unknown owners or parties interested. Any notice by publication given under this Section shall be given 3 times at any time after filing a petition for tax deed, but not less than 3 months nor more than 6 months prior to the expiration of the period of redemption. The publication shall contain (a) notice of the filing of the petition for tax deed, (b) the date on which the petitioner intends to make application for an order on the petition that a tax deed issue, (c) a description of the property, (d) the date upon which the property was sold, (e) the taxes or special assessments for which it was sold and (f) the date on which the period of redemption will expire. The publication shall not include more than one property listed and sold in one description, except as provided in Section 21-90, and except that when more than one property is owned by one person, all of the parcels owned by that person may be included in one notice.
    The changes to this Section made by Public Act 95-477 apply only to matters in which a petition for tax deed is filed on or after June 1, 2008 (the effective date of Public Act 95-477).
(Source: P.A. 95-195, eff. 1-1-08; 95-477, eff. 6-1-08; 95-876, eff. 8-21-08.)

35 ILCS 200/22-25

    (35 ILCS 200/22-25)
    Sec. 22-25. Mailed notice. In addition to the notice required to be served not less than one month nor more than 6 months prior to the expiration of the period of redemption, the purchaser or his or her assignee shall prepare and deliver to the clerk of the Circuit Court of the county in which the property is located, not more than 6 months and not less than 3 months prior to the expiration of the period of redemption, the notice provided for in this Section, together with the statutory costs for mailing the notice by certified mail, return receipt requested. The form of notice to be mailed by the clerk shall be identical in form to that provided by Section 22-10 for service upon owners residing upon the property sold, except that it shall bear the signature of the clerk instead of the name of the purchaser or assignee and shall designate the parties to whom it is to be mailed. The clerk may furnish the form. The clerk shall mail the notices delivered to him or her by certified mail, return receipt requested, not less than 3 months prior to the expiration of the period of redemption. The certificate of the clerk that he or she has mailed the notices, together with the return receipts, shall be filed in and made a part of the court record. The notices shall be mailed to the owners of the property at their last known addresses, and to those persons who are entitled to service of notice as occupants.
    The changes to this Section made by Public Act 97-557 shall be construed as being declaratory of existing law and not as a new enactment.
    The changes to this Section made by Public Act 102-1003 apply to matters in which a petition for tax deed is filed on or after May 27, 2022 (the effective date of Public Act 102-1003). Failure of any party or any public official to comply with the changes made to this Section by Public Act 102-528 does not invalidate any tax deed issued prior to May 27, 2022 (the effective date of Public Act 102-1003).
(Source: P.A. 102-528, eff. 1-1-22; 102-815, eff. 5-13-22; 102-1003, eff. 5-27-22; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23; 103-555, eff. 1-1-24.)

35 ILCS 200/22-30

    (35 ILCS 200/22-30)
    Sec. 22-30. Petition for deed. At any time within 6 months but not less than 3 months prior to the expiration of the redemption period for property sold pursuant to judgment and order of sale under Sections 21-110 through 21-120 or 21-260 or otherwise acquired by the county pursuant to Section 21-90, the purchaser, or the agent pursuant to Section 21-90, may file a petition in the circuit court in the same proceeding in which the judgment and order of sale were entered, asking that the court direct the county clerk to issue a tax deed if the property is not redeemed from the sale. The petition shall be accompanied by the statutory filing fee.
    Notice of filing the petition and a date for redemption, after which the petitioner intends to apply for an order to issue a tax deed if the taxes are not redeemed, shall be given to occupants, owners and persons interested in the property as part of the notice provided in Sections 22-10 through 22-25, except that only one publication is required. The county clerk shall be notified of the filing of the petition and any person owning or interested in the property may, if he or she desires, appear in the proceeding.
    The changes to this Section made by this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly apply only to matters in which a petition for tax deed is filed on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly.
(Source: P.A. 103-555, eff. 1-1-24.)

35 ILCS 200/22-35

    (35 ILCS 200/22-35)
    Sec. 22-35. Reimbursement of a county or municipality before issuance of tax deed. Except in any proceeding in which the tax purchaser is a county acting as a trustee for taxing districts as provided in Section 21-90, an order for the issuance of a tax deed under this Code shall not be entered affecting the title to or interest in any property in which a county, city, village or incorporated town has an interest under the police and welfare power by advancements made from public funds, until the purchaser or assignee makes reimbursement to the county, city, village or incorporated town of the money so advanced or the county, city, village, or town waives its lien on the property for the money so advanced. In lieu of reimbursing the county, city, village, or town for any advancement of money that have not been waived, the purchaser or his or her assignee may make application for and the court shall order that the tax purchase be set aside as a sale in error. However, a sale in error may not be granted under this Section if:
        (1) the lien has been released, satisfied,
    
discharged, or waived; or
        (2) the following conditions apply:
            (A) the county, city, village, or town does not
        
agree to release, discharge, or waive the lien;
            (B) the aggregate total of all such liens
        
recorded against the property by the county, city, village, or town is less than $5,000; and
            (C) the lien or liens secure money advanced by
        
the county, city, village, or town to abate conditions on the property that are in violation of Section 11-20-7, Section 11-20-12, or Section 11-20-13 of the Illinois Municipal Code or any other applicable codes or ordinances adopted by a county, city, village or town pursuant to its emergency authority to abate neglected weeds, grass, trees, bushes, garbage, debris, or graffiti from property.
    A filing or appearance fee shall not be required of a county, city, village or incorporated town seeking to enforce its claim under this Section in a tax deed proceeding.
(Source: P.A. 103-555, eff. 1-1-24.)