65 ILCS 5/ Illinois Municipal Code.

(65 ILCS 5/11-31-2.1) (from Ch. 24, par. 11-31-2.1)

Sec. 11-31-2.1. (a) If a municipality petitions for appointment of a receiver pursuant to Section 11-31-2 of this Act and it clearly appears from specific facts shown by affidavit or by verified petition or verified complaint that immediate and irreparable injury, loss or damage will result before personal service can practicably be had, a receiver may be appointed upon a showing that the municipality attempted to give notice by any means practicable and reasonably calculated to give actual notice under the circumstances, including by telephone to the defendant's last known phone number or by mailing to the defendant's last known address. If a receiver is appointed pursuant to this subsection, another hearing shall be set at the earliest practicable date.

(b) Within 10 days after the appointment of a receiver pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section, the municipality shall attempt to obtain personal service, but if unable to obtain personal service and a summons duly issued in such action is returned without service stating that service cannot be obtained, then the municipality, its agent or attorney, may file an affidavit stating that the defendant is not a resident of this State or has departed from this State, or on due inquiry cannot be found or is concealed within this State so that process cannot be served upon him or her, and also stating the place of residence of the defendant, if known, or if not, that upon diligent inquiry affiant has not been able to ascertain the defendant's place of residence, and the defendant may be notified by mailing to the defendant's last known address and posting at the real estate in receivership, or by such mailing and by publication pursuant to Section 2-206 of the Code of Civil Procedure. In cases where a defendant is notified by mailing and posting or by mailing and publication and the defendant does not appear generally, the court may not enter a personal judgment against the defendant, but may continue the receivership and authorize the issuance of receiver's certificates to become liens upon the real estate, as provided in Section 11-31-2 of this Act.

(c) For purposes of notice by mail to owners as provided in Section 11-31-2.1, if the municipality in which the real estate subject to receivership is located has an owner registration ordinance, mailing to the addresses of unserved owners at the addresses registered with the municipality pursuant to the ordinance shall be sufficient. Notice shall be deemed provided 4 days after mailing. The notice shall state the caption and case number of the action, the address of the affected real estate, the fact that a receiver may be or has been appointed, the possibility that a lien may be filed against the real estate as a result of the appointment, and the date, time and place of the next court hearing on the matter.

(Source: P.A. 85-634.)

(65 ILCS 5/11-31-2.2) (from Ch. 24, par. 11-31-2.2)

Sec. 11-31-2.2. If a receiver is appointed pursuant to Section 11-31-2 of this Code, the receiver may file in the appointing Court an eviction action as provided in Article IX of the Code of Civil Procedure. Filing fees and court costs shall be waived for a receiver filing under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 100-173, eff. 1-1-18.)

(65 ILCS 5/11-31-2.3) (from Ch. 24, par. 11-31-2.3)

Sec. 11-31-2.3. If a receiver is appointed pursuant to Section 11-31-2 of this Act, the applicant's bond shall be excused. The court also may excuse the surety on the receiver's bond upon a showing that the receiver is especially qualified for the appointment. Evidence of special qualifications shall include but not be limited to: (a) satisfactory past performance as a receiver; (b) prior real estate management or development experience; (c) licensure or certification in a relevant profession or occupation; or (d) specialized training as a receiver.

(Source: P.A. 85-634.)

(65 ILCS 5/Art. 11 Div. 31.1 heading) DIVISION 31.1. BUILDING CODE VIOLATIONS

(65 ILCS 5/11-31.1-1) (from Ch. 24, par. 11-31.1-1)

Sec. 11-31.1-1. Definitions. As used in this Division, unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) "Code" means any municipal ordinance, law, housing or building code or zoning ordinance that establishes construction, plumbing, heating, electrical, fire prevention, sanitation or other health and safety standards that are applicable to structures in a municipality or any municipal ordinance that requires, after notice, the cutting of weeds, the removal of garbage and debris, the removal of inoperable motor vehicles, or the abatement of nuisances from private property;

(b) "Building inspector" means a full time state, county or municipal employee whose duties include the inspection or examination of structures or property in a municipality to determine if zoning or other code violations exist;

(c) "Property owner" means the legal or beneficial owner of a structure;

(d) "Hearing officer" means a municipal employee or an officer or agent of a municipality, other than a building inspector or law enforcement officer, whose duty it is to:

(1) preside at an administrative hearing called to determine whether or not a code violation exists;

(2) hear testimony and accept evidence from the building inspector, the building owner and all interested parties relevant to the existence of a code violation;

(3) preserve and authenticate the transcript and record of the hearing and all exhibits and evidence introduced at the hearing;

(4) issue and sign a written finding, decision and order stating whether a code violation exists.

(Source: P.A. 91-162, eff. 7-16-99.)

(65 ILCS 5/11-31.1-2) (from Ch. 24, par. 11-31.1-2)

Sec. 11-31.1-2. Code hearing department. The corporate authorities of any municipality may adopt this Division and establish a Code Hearing Department within an existing code enforcement agency or as a separate and independent agency in the municipal government. The function of the hearing department is to expedite the prosecution and correction of code violations in the manner set forth in this Division.

(Source: P.A. 88-37.)

(65 ILCS 5/11-31.1-3) (from Ch. 24, par. 11-31.1-3)

Sec. 11-31.1-3. Hearing procedures not exclusive. In any municipality where this Division is adopted, this Division does not preclude the municipality from using other methods to enforce the provisions of its code.

(Source: P.A. 86-1039.)

(65 ILCS 5/11-31.1-4) (from Ch. 24, par. 11-31.1-4)

Sec. 11-31.1-4. Instituting code hearing proceedings. When a building inspector finds a code violation while inspecting a structure, he shall note the violation on a multiple copy violation notice and report form, indicating the name and address of the structure owner, a citation to the specific code provision or provisions alleged to have been violated, a description of the circumstances present that constitute the alleged violation, the date and time the violation was observed, the names of witnesses to the violation, and the address of the structure where the violation is observed.

The violation report form shall be forwarded by the building inspector to the Code Hearing Department where a Docket number shall be stamped on all copies of the report, and a hearing date noted in the blank spaces provided for that purpose on the form. The hearing date shall not be less than 30 nor more than 40 days after the violation is reported by the building inspector.

One copy of the violation report form shall be maintained in the files of the Code Hearing Department and shall be part of the record of hearing, one copy of the report form shall be returned to the building inspector so that he may prepare evidence of the code violation for presentation at the hearing on the date indicated, and one copy of the report form shall be served by first class mail on the owner of the structure, along with a summons commanding the owner to appear at the hearing. If the municipality in which the structure is situated has an ordinance requiring property owners to register with the municipality, service may be made on the owner by mailing the report and summons to the owner's address registered with the municipality. If the name of the owner of the structure cannot be ascertained or if service on the owner cannot be made by mail, service may be made on the owner by posting or nailing a copy of the violation report form on the front door of the structure where the violation is found, not less than 20 days before the hearing is scheduled.

(Source: P.A. 97-1088, eff. 8-24-12.)

(65 ILCS 5/11-31.1-5) (from Ch. 24, par. 11-31.1-5)

Sec. 11-31.1-5. Subpoenas; Defaults. At any time prior to the hearing date the hearing officer assigned to hear the case may, at the request of the building inspector or the attorney for the municipality, or the owner or his attorney, issue subpoenas directing witnesses to appear and give testimony at the hearing. If on the date set for hearing the owner or his attorney fails to appear, the hearing officer may find the owner in default and shall proceed with the hearing and accept evidence relevant to the existence of a code violation.

(Source: P.A. 86-1039.)

(65 ILCS 5/11-31.1-6) (from Ch. 24, par. 11-31.1-6)

Sec. 11-31.1-6. Continuances - Representation at code hearings. No continuances shall be authorized by the hearing officer in proceedings under this Division except in cases where a continuance is absolutely necessary to protect the rights of the owner. Lack of preparation shall not be grounds for a continuance. Any continuance authorized by a hearing officer under this Division shall not exceed 25 days. The case for the municipality may be presented by the building inspector, by any other municipal employee or by an attorney designated by the municipality. However, in no event shall the case for the municipality be presented by an employee of the Code Hearing Department. The case for the dwelling owner may be presented by the owner, his attorney, or any other agent or representative.

(Source: Laws 1967, p. 1905.)

(65 ILCS 5/11-31.1-7) (from Ch. 24, par. 11-31.1-7)

Sec. 11-31.1-7. Hearing; Evidence. At the hearing, a hearing officer shall preside and shall hear testimony and accept any evidence relevant to the existence or non-existence of a code violation in the structure indicated. The strict rules of evidence applicable to judicial proceedings shall not apply to hearings authorized by this Division.

(Source: P.A. 86-1039.)