SB3939 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 17733 HLH 31164 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB3939

Introduced 2/6/2026, by Sen. Celina Villanueva

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

15 ILCS 520/7	from Ch. 130, par. 26
15 ILCS 520/22.5	from Ch. 130, par. 41a
35 ILCS 200/21-75
35 ILCS 200/21-90
35 ILCS 200/21-92 new
35 ILCS 200/21-135
35 ILCS 200/21-200
35 ILCS 200/21-210
35 ILCS 200/21-215
35 ILCS 200/21-220
35 ILCS 200/21-225
35 ILCS 200/21-240
35 ILCS 200/21-245
35 ILCS 200/21-251
35 ILCS 200/21-342 new
35 ILCS 200/21-398 new
55 ILCS 5/4-4001	from Ch. 34, par. 4-4001
765 ILCS 1026/15-407 new
765 ILCS 1026/15-505 new
765 ILCS 1026/15-705

Amends the Deposit of State Moneys Act. Provides that the State Treasurer may accept a proposal or application from a financial institution for access to capital at a market rate that allows the Treasurer to provide funding to a county for relief of property tax payments. Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, for tax year 2027 and thereafter, the tax lien or certificate for all delinquent property subject to a tax sale shall be assigned to the county as trustee for all taxing districts having an interest in the property's taxes or special assessment for the nonpayment of which the property is sold. Provides that the county must attempt to sell the property acquired by tax deed at a public auction. Contains provisions concerning surplus funds. Contains provisions concerning notice. Contains other provisions. Amends the Counties Code and the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act to make conforming changes.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning revenue.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Deposit of State Moneys Act is amended by changing Sections 7 and 22.5 as follows:

(15 ILCS 520/7) (from Ch. 130, par. 26)

Sec. 7. (a) State depositories. The State Treasurer may, in his or her discretion, allow a financial institution to become a State depository. To become an approved State depository, a financial institution shall submit an application or proposal, along with all required forms and documentation, in a manner prescribed by the Treasurer.

In order to receive funds under this Section, a financial institution must become a State depository. Prior to allowing a financial institution to become a State depository, the State Treasurer shall consider the financial institution's financial condition and community and economic development efforts.

All applications submitted pursuant to this Section will be reviewed in accordance with the terms defined by the program documents and in the respective application and related documents.

(b) Linked deposits. The State Treasurer may, in his or her discretion, accept a proposal or application from a financial institution which provides for a reduced rate of interest provided that the financial institution uses the deposited funds for the purpose of economic and community development in the State of Illinois, which may include, but not be limited to loans for the following: agriculture, business, individuals, and community development. Financial institutions, and, in some cases borrowers, that utilize linked deposit funds shall provide documentation regarding the use of such funds in a manner prescribed by the Treasurer.

(b-5) (Blank).

(b-10) (Blank).

(b-15) Access to capital. The State Treasurer may, in his or her discretion, accept a proposal or application from a financial institution for access to capital at market rate to provide added liquidity or administer lending activities in the State of Illinois.

(b-20) The State Treasurer may accept a proposal or application from a financial institution for access to capital at a market rate, determined by the Treasurer, that allows the Treasurer to provide funding to a county for relief of property tax payments. The State Treasurer Shall adopt rules that are necessary and proper to implement and administer this program.

(c) Home loans. The State Treasurer may, in his or her discretion, accept a proposal or application from a financial institution that provides for interest earnings on deposits of State moneys to be held by the financial institution in a separate account that the State Treasurer may use to secure up to 10% of any (i) home loans to Illinois citizens purchasing or refinancing a home in Illinois in situations where the participating financial institution would not offer the borrower a home loan under the financial institution's prevailing credit standards without the incentive of the 10% guarantee for the first 5 years of the loan, (ii) existing home loans of Illinois citizens who have failed to make payments on a home loan as a result of a financial hardship due to circumstances beyond the control of the borrower where there is a reasonable prospect that the borrower will be able to resume full mortgage payments, and (iii) loans in amounts that do not exceed the amount of arrearage on a mortgage and that are extended to enable a borrower to become current on his or her mortgage obligation.

The following factors shall be considered by the participating financial institution to determine whether the financial hardship is due to circumstances beyond the control of the borrower: (i) loss, reduction, or delay in the receipt of income because of the death or disability of a person who contributed to the household income, (ii) expenses actually incurred related to the uninsured damage or costly repairs to the mortgaged premises affecting its habitability, (iii) expenses related to the death or illness in the borrower's household or of family members living outside the household that reduce the amount of household income, (iv) loss of income or a substantial increase in total housing expenses because of divorce, abandonment, separation from a spouse, or failure to support a spouse or child, (v) unemployment or underemployment, (vi) loss, reduction, or delay in the receipt of federal, State, or other government benefits, and (vii) participation by the homeowner in a recognized labor action such as a strike. In determining whether there is a reasonable prospect that the borrower will be able to resume full mortgage payments, the participating financial institution shall consider factors including, but not necessarily limited to the following: (i) a favorable work and credit history, (ii) the borrower's ability to and history of paying the mortgage when employed, (iii) the lack of an impediment or disability that prevents reemployment, (iv) new education and training opportunities, (v) non-cash benefits that may reduce household expenses, and (vi) other debts.

For the purposes of this Section, "home loan" means a loan, other than an open-end credit plan or a reverse mortgage transaction, for which (i) the principal amount of the loan does not exceed the conforming loan size limit as established from time to time by the Federal National Mortgage Association, (ii) the borrower is a natural person, (iii) the debt is incurred by the borrower primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, and (iv) the loan is secured by a mortgage or deed of trust on real estate upon which there is located or there is to be located a structure designed principally for the occupancy of no more than 4 families and that is or will be occupied by the borrower as the borrower's principal dwelling.

(d) If there is an agreement between the State Treasurer and an eligible institution that details the use of deposited funds, the agreement may not require the gift of money, goods, or services to a third party; this provision does not restrict the eligible institution from contracting with third parties in order to carry out the intent of the agreement or restrict the State Treasurer from placing requirements upon third-party contracts entered into by the eligible institution.

(Source: P.A. 102-297, eff. 8-6-21.)

(15 ILCS 520/22.5) (from Ch. 130, par. 41a)

(For force and effect of certain provisions, see Section 90 of P.A. 94-79)

Sec. 22.5. Permitted investments. The State Treasurer may invest and reinvest any State money in the State Treasury which is not needed for current expenditures due or about to become due, in obligations of the United States government or its agencies or of National Mortgage Associations established by or under the National Housing Act, 12 U.S.C. 1701 et seq., or in mortgage participation certificates representing undivided interests in specified, first-lien conventional residential Illinois mortgages that are underwritten, insured, guaranteed, or purchased by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation or in Affordable Housing Program Trust Fund Bonds or Notes as defined in and issued pursuant to the Illinois Housing Development Act. All such obligations shall be considered as cash and may be delivered over as cash by a State Treasurer to his successor.

The State Treasurer may purchase any state bonds with any money in the State Treasury that has been set aside and held for the payment of the principal of and interest on the bonds. The bonds shall be considered as cash and may be delivered over as cash by the State Treasurer to his successor.

The State Treasurer may invest or reinvest any State money in the State Treasury that is not needed for current expenditures due or about to become due, or any money in the State Treasury that has been set aside and held for the payment of the principal of and interest on any State bonds, in bonds issued by counties or municipal corporations of the State of Illinois.

The State Treasurer may invest or reinvest up to 5% of the College Savings Pool Administrative Trust Fund, the Illinois Public Treasurer Investment Pool (IPTIP) Administrative Trust Fund, and the State Treasurer's Administrative Fund that is not needed for current expenditures due or about to become due, in common or preferred stocks of publicly traded corporations, partnerships, or limited liability companies, organized in the United States, with assets exceeding $500,000,000 if: (i) the purchases do not exceed 1% of the corporation's or the limited liability company's outstanding common and preferred stock; (ii) no more than 10% of the total funds are invested in any one publicly traded corporation, partnership, or limited liability company; and (iii) the corporation or the limited liability company has not been placed on the list of restricted companies by the Illinois Investment Policy Board under Section 1-110.16 of the Illinois Pension Code.

Whenever the total amount of vouchers presented to the Comptroller under Section 9 of the State Comptroller Act exceeds the funds available in the General Revenue Fund by $500,000,000 or more, then the State Treasurer may invest any State money in the State Treasury, other than money in the General Revenue Fund, Health Insurance Reserve Fund, Attorney General Court Ordered and Voluntary Compliance Payment Projects Fund, Attorney General Whistleblower Reward and Protection Fund, and Attorney General's State Projects and Court Ordered Distribution Fund, which is not needed for current expenditures, due or about to become due, or any money in the State Treasury which has been set aside and held for the payment of the principal of and the interest on any State bonds with the Office of the Comptroller in order to enable the Comptroller to pay outstanding vouchers. At any time, and from time to time outstanding, such investment shall not be greater than $2,000,000,000. Such investment shall be deposited into the General Revenue Fund or Health Insurance Reserve Fund as determined by the Comptroller. On or after July 1, 2025, and through June 30, 2026, at the request of the Governor and with the approval of the Treasurer, the Comptroller may make deposits into other funds in the State Treasury to pay outstanding vouchers or in anticipation of vouchers that may be submitted to the Comptroller for payment. Such investment shall be repaid by the Comptroller with an interest rate tied to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) or the Federal Funds Rate or an equivalent market established variable rate, but in no case shall such interest rate exceed the lesser of the penalty rate established under the State Prompt Payment Act or the timely pay interest rate under Section 368a of the Illinois Insurance Code. The State Treasurer and the Comptroller shall enter into an intergovernmental agreement to establish procedures for such investments, which market established variable rate to which the interest rate for the investments should be tied, and other terms which the State Treasurer and Comptroller reasonably believe to be mutually beneficial concerning these investments by the State Treasurer. The State Treasurer and Comptroller shall also enter into a written agreement for each such investment that specifies the period of the investment, the payment interval, the interest rate to be paid, the funds in the State Treasury from which the State Treasurer will draw the investment, and other terms upon which the State Treasurer and Comptroller mutually agree. Such investment agreements shall be public records and the State Treasurer shall post the terms of all such investment agreements on the State Treasurer's official website. In compliance with the intergovernmental agreement, the Comptroller shall order and the State Treasurer shall transfer amounts sufficient for the payment of principal and interest invested by the State Treasurer with the Office of the Comptroller under this paragraph from the General Revenue Fund or the Health Insurance Reserve Fund or, from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, the fund identified by the Governor, to the respective funds in the State Treasury from which the State Treasurer drew the investment. Public Act 100-1107 shall constitute an irrevocable and continuing authority for all amounts necessary for the payment of principal and interest on the investments made with the Office of the Comptroller by the State Treasurer under this paragraph, and the irrevocable and continuing authority for and direction to the Comptroller and State Treasurer to make the necessary transfers.

The State Treasurer may invest or reinvest any State money in the State Treasury that is not needed for current expenditure, due or about to become due, or any money in the State Treasury that has been set aside and held for the payment of the principal of and the interest on any State bonds, or any proceeds from a Tax Sale Surplus Relief Program, in any of the following:

(1) Bonds, notes, certificates of indebtedness, Treasury bills, or other securities now or hereafter issued that are guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America as to principal and interest.

(2) Bonds, notes, debentures, or other similar obligations of the United States of America, its agencies, and instrumentalities, or other obligations that are issued or guaranteed by supranational entities; provided, that at the time of investment, the entity has the United States government as a shareholder.

(2.5) Bonds, notes, debentures, or other similar obligations of a foreign government, other than the Republic of the Sudan, that are guaranteed by the full faith and credit of that government as to principal and interest, but only if the foreign government has not defaulted and has met its payment obligations in a timely manner on all similar obligations for a period of at least 25 years immediately before the time of acquiring those obligations.

(3) Interest-bearing savings accounts, interest-bearing certificates of deposit, interest-bearing time deposits, or any other investments constituting direct obligations of any bank as defined by the Illinois Banking Act.

(4) Interest-bearing accounts, certificates of deposit, or any other investments constituting direct obligations of any savings and loan associations incorporated under the laws of this State or any other state or under the laws of the United States.

(5) Dividend-bearing share accounts, share certificate accounts, or class of share accounts of a credit union chartered under the laws of this State or the laws of the United States; provided, however, the principal office of the credit union must be located within the State of Illinois.

(6) Bankers' acceptances of banks whose senior obligations are rated in the top 2 rating categories by 2 national rating agencies and maintain that rating during the term of the investment and the bank has not been placed on the list of restricted companies by the Illinois Investment Policy Board under Section 1-110.16 of the Illinois Pension Code.

(7) Short-term obligations of either corporations or limited liability companies organized in the United States with assets exceeding $500,000,000 if (i) the obligations are rated at the time of purchase at one of the 3 highest classifications established by at least 2 standard rating services and mature not later than 270 days from the date of purchase, (ii) the purchases do not exceed 10% of the corporation's or the limited liability company's outstanding obligations, (iii) no more than one-third of the public agency's funds are invested in short-term obligations of either corporations or limited liability companies, and (iv) the corporation or the limited liability company has not been placed on the list of restricted companies by the Illinois Investment Policy Board under Section 1-110.16 of the Illinois Pension Code.

(7.5) Obligations of either corporations or limited liability companies organized in the United States, that have a significant presence in this State, with assets exceeding $500,000,000 if: (i) the obligations are rated at the time of purchase at one of the 3 highest classifications established by at least 2 standard rating services and mature more than 270 days, but less than 10 years, from the date of purchase; (ii) the purchases do not exceed 10% of the corporation's or the limited liability company's outstanding obligations; (iii) no more than one-third of the public agency's funds are invested in such obligations of corporations or limited liability companies; and (iv) the corporation or the limited liability company has not been placed on the list of restricted companies by the Illinois Investment Policy Board under Section 1-110.16 of the Illinois Pension Code.

(8) Money market mutual funds registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(9) The Public Treasurers' Investment Pool created under Section 17 of the State Treasurer Act or in a fund managed, operated, and administered by a bank.

(10) Repurchase agreements of government securities having the meaning set out in the Government Securities Act of 1986, as now or hereafter amended or succeeded, subject to the provisions of that Act and the regulations issued thereunder.

(11) Investments made in accordance with the Technology Development Act.

(12) Investments made in accordance with the Student Investment Account Act.

(13) Investments constituting direct obligations of a community development financial institution, which is certified by the United States Treasury Community Development Financial Institutions Fund and is operating in the State of Illinois.

(14) Investments constituting direct obligations of a minority depository institution, as designated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, that is operating in the State of Illinois.

(15) Investments made in accordance with any other law that authorizes the State Treasurer to invest or deposit funds.

For purposes of this Section, "agencies" of the United States Government includes:

(i) the federal land banks, federal intermediate credit banks, banks for cooperatives, federal farm credit banks, or any other entity authorized to issue debt obligations under the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2001 et seq.) and Acts amendatory thereto;

(ii) the federal home loan banks and the federal home loan mortgage corporation;

(iii) the Commodity Credit Corporation; and

(iv) any other agency created by Act of Congress.

The State Treasurer may lend any securities acquired under this Act. However, securities may be lent under this Section only in accordance with Federal Financial Institution Examination Council guidelines and only if the securities are collateralized at a level sufficient to assure the safety of the securities, taking into account market value fluctuation. The securities may be collateralized by cash or collateral acceptable under Sections 11 and 11.1.

(Source: P.A. 104-2, eff. 6-16-25.)

Section 10. The Property Tax Code is amended by changing Sections 21-75, 21-90, 21-135, 21-200, 21-210, 21-215, 21-220, 21-225, 21-240, 21-245, and 21-251 and by adding Sections 21-92, 21-342, and 21-398 as follows:

(35 ILCS 200/21-75)

Sec. 21-75. Lien for taxes. The taxes upon property, together with all penalties, interests and costs that may accrue thereon, shall be a prior and first lien on the property, superior to all other liens and encumbrances, from and including the first day of January in the year in which the taxes are levied until the taxes are paid or until the property is sold under this Code.

(a) Foreclosure - Property forfeited for 2 or more years. A lien may be foreclosed, in the circuit court in the name of the People of the State of Illinois, whenever the taxes for 2 or more years on the same description of property have been forfeited to the State. The property may be sold under the order of the court by the person having authority to receive County taxes, with notice to interested parties and right of redemption from the sale, (except that the interest or any other amount to be paid upon redemption in addition to the amount for which the property was sold shall be as provided herein), as provided in Sections 21-345 through 21-365 and 21-380, and in conformity with Section 8 of Article IX of the Illinois Constitution.

(a-5) Notice of Pending Action for Foreclosure must be provided by the county clerk in the county seeking foreclosure to the property owner via personal service, delivered orally or in writing, and confirmed by affidavit. Prior to the commencement of a foreclosure action, county clerks must conduct a due diligence search of land, court, and other records in order to provide service to as many interested parties as practicable. The notice must include: (1) the exact amount of unpaid taxes; (2) the name, requirements and application process for any existing property tax deferral program operated in the jurisdiction; (3) information regarding local lawyer referral services, and (4) a statement, in English and in any language common to a significant portion of the populace of the county in which the property is located, in the following form:

WARNING: THERE ARE UNPAID TAXES AND FEES IN THE AMOUNT OF $ ON PROPERTY AT (ADDRESS) WHICH YOU MAY OWN OR HAVE A LEGAL INTEREST IN. THE PROPERTY WILL BE DEEDED TO THE COUNTY AND YOUR INTEREST WILL BE TERMINATED UNLESS THE BACK TAXES AND FEES ARE PAID. TO MAKE PAYMENT, OR TO RECEIVE FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT PAYMENT, CONTACT (COUNTY CLERK) IMMEDIATELY AT (ADDRESS), (TELEPHONE NUMBER). IF THE PROPERTY IS DEEDED TO THE COUNTY AS A WAY OF COLLECTING THE BACK TAXES AND FEES OWED, AND THE PROPERTY IS WORTH MORE THAN YOU OWE, YOU ARE ENTITLED TO A RETURN OF MONEY FROM THE COUNTY. IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A NOTICE OF A POTENTIAL SURPLUS FROM THE COUNTY, PLEASE PROVIDE THE COUNTY WITH NOTICE OF A CURRENT ADDRESS AT THE EMAIL ADDRESS OR WEBSITE LISTED HERE:_________, AND UPDATE THAT ADDRESS IF YOU MOVE. THERE ARE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN GIVE YOU INFORMATION ABOUT FORECLOSURE AND HELP YOU DECIDE WHAT TO DO. FOR GENERAL INFORMATION AT NO COST TO YOU, CONTACT A CERTIFIED HOUSING COUNSELOR. YOU MAY ALSO WISH TO SEEK LEGAL ADVICE TO DETERMINE YOUR BEST ACTION. FREE LEGAL ADVICE IS AVAILABLE AT [WEBSITE].

(a-10) In any action to foreclose the lien for delinquent taxes brought by the People of the State of Illinois when the taxes for 2 or more years on the same description of property have been forfeited to the State, service of process shall be made in the manner now prescribed by law. All owners, parties interested, and occupants of any property against which tax liens are sought to be foreclosed shall be named as parties defendant, and shall be served in the manner and form as provided by law for the service of defendants in foreclosures of lien or encumbrances upon real estate. In case there are other parties with ownership interests in the property, they shall be named in the notice under the designation "unknown owners".

(b) Redemption interest. The interest to be paid upon redemption from all tax foreclosure sales held under this Section shall be:

(1) If redeemed within 2 months from the date of the sale, 3% per month upon the amount for which the property was sold for each of the first 2 months, or fraction thereof;

(2) If redeemed between 2 and 6 months from the date of the sale, 12% of the amount of sale;

(3) If redeemed between 6 and 12 months from the date of the sale, 24% of the amount of sale;

(4) If redeemed between 12 and 18 months from the date of the sale, 36% of the amount of sale;

(5) If redeemed between 18 and 24 months from the date of the sale, 48% of the amount of sale;

(6) If redeemed after 24 months from the date of sale, the 48% for the 24 months plus interest at 6% per year thereafter.

(c) Enforcement of lien from rents and profits. A lien under this Section may be enforced at any time after 6 months from the day the tax becomes delinquent out of the rents and profits of the land accruing, or accrued and under the control or jurisdiction of a court. This process may be initiated by the county board of the county or by the corporate authorities of any taxing body entitled to receive any part of the delinquent tax, by petition in any pending suit having jurisdiction of the land, or in any application for judgment and order of sale of lands for delinquent taxes in which the land is included, in the name of the People of the State of Illinois.

The process, practice and procedure under this subsection shall be the same as provided in the Civil Practice Law and the Supreme Court Rules adopted in relation to that Law, except that receivers may be appointed on not less than 3 days' written notice to owners of record or persons in possession. In all petitions the court shall have power to appoint the county collector to take possession of the property only for the purpose of collecting the rents, issues and profits therefrom, and to apply them in satisfaction of the tax lien. When the taxes set forth in the petition are paid in full, the receiver shall be discharged. If the taxes described in the petition are reduced by the final judgment of a court, the county collector shall immediately refund all moneys collected by him or her as receiver over and above the taxes as reduced, and shall deduct that amount from the moneys thereafter distributed to the taxing bodies which received the tax revenue.

In proceedings to foreclose the tax lien, or in petitions to enforce the lien, the amount due on the collector's books against the property shall be prima facie evidence of the amount of taxes against the property. When any taxes are collected, they shall be paid to the county collector, to be distributed by him or her to the authorities entitled to them. All sales made under this Section shall be conducted under the order and supervision of the court by the county collector.

An action to foreclose the lien for delinquent taxes under this Code is an action in rem.

(Source: P.A. 84-551; 88-455.)

(35 ILCS 200/21-90)

Sec. 21-90. Purchase and sale by county; distribution of proceeds.

(a) For tax years before tax year 2027, when When any property is offered for sale under any of the provisions of this Code, the county board of the county in which the property is located, in its discretion, may bid, or, in the case of forfeited property, may apply to purchase it or otherwise acquire the tax lien or certificate in the name of the county as trustee for all taxing districts having an interest in the property's taxes or special assessments for the nonpayment of which the property is sold. The presiding officer of the county board, with the advice and consent of the board, may appoint on its behalf some officer, person, or entity to attend such sales, bid on tax liens or certificates, and act on behalf of the county when exercising its authority under this Section. The county shall apply on the bid or purchase the unpaid taxes and special assessments due upon the property. No cash need be paid.

(a-5) For tax year 2027 and thereafter, the tax lien or certificate for all delinquent property subject to a tax sale shall be assigned to the county as trustee for all taxing districts having an interest in the property's taxes or special assessment for the nonpayment of which the property is sold. No cash need be paid.

(b) The county, as trustee for all taxing districts having an interest in the property's taxes or special assessments, shall be the designated holder of all tax liens or certificates that are forfeited to the State or county. No cash need be paid for the forfeited tax lien or certificate.

(c) For any tax lien or certificate acquired under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section, the county may take steps necessary to acquire title to the property and may manage and operate the property, including, but not limited to, mowing of grass, removal of nuisance greenery, removal of garbage, waste, debris or other materials, or the demolition, repair, or remediation of unsafe structures. When a county, or other taxing district within the county, is a petitioner for a tax deed, no filing fee shall be required. When a county or other taxing district within the county is the petitioner for a tax deed, one petition may be filed including all parcels that are tax delinquent within the county or taxing district, and any publication made under Section 22-20 of this Code may combine all such parcels within a single notice. The notice may include the street address as listed on the most recent available tax bills, if available, and shall list the Property Index Number of the parcels for informational purposes. The county, as tax creditor and as trustee for other tax creditors, or other taxing district within the county, shall not be required to allege and prove that all taxes and special assessments which become due and payable after the sale or forfeiture to the county have been paid nor shall the county be required to pay the subsequently accruing taxes or special assessments at any time. The county board or its designee may prohibit the county collector from including the property in the tax sale of one or more subsequent years. The lien of taxes and special assessments which become due and payable after a sale to a county shall merge in the fee title of the county, or other taxing district within the county, on the issuance of a deed.

For tax years before tax year 2027, the The county may sell any property acquired with authority provided in this Section, or assign any tax certificate to any party, including, but not limited to, taxing districts, municipalities, land banks created pursuant to Illinois law, or non-profit developers focused on constructing affordable housing. For tax year 2027 and thereafter, the county must attempt to sell the property acquired by tax deed under the procedure in Section 21-92.

The assigned tax certificate shall be void with no further rights given to the assignee, including no right to refund or reimbursement, if a tax deed has not been recorded within 4 years after the date of the assignment unless a court extends the assignment period as provided in this Section. Upon a motion by the assignee, a court may toll the 4-year deadline for a specified period of time if the court finds the assignee is prevented from obtaining or recording a deed by injunction or order of any court, by the refusal or inability of any court to act upon the application for a tax deed, by a municipality's refusal to issue necessary transfer stamps or approvals for recording, or by the refusal of the clerk to execute the deed. If an assigned tax certificate is void under this Section, it shall be forfeited to the county and held as a valid certificate of sale in the county's name pursuant to this Section 21-90. The proceeds of any sale or assignment under this Section, less all costs of the county incurred in the acquisition, operation, maintenance, and sale of the property or assignment of the tax certificate, including all costs associated with county staff and overhead used to perform the duties of the trustee set forth in this Section, shall be distributed to the taxing districts in proportion to their respective interests therein.

Under Sections 21-110, 21-115, 21-120, and 21-190, a county may bid or purchase only in the absence of other bidders.

(Source: P.A. 102-363, eff. 1-1-22; 103-555, eff. 1-1-24.)

(35 ILCS 200/21-92 new)

Sec. 21-92. Disposition of property acquired by tax deed by county as trustee.

(a) If the county must attempt to sell the property acquired by tax deed, the county may employ a licensed realtor in order to accomplish the sale and allow the realtor to retain a commission of 3.0% of the value of the property. A property owner may request that the property be listed with a realtor under the same terms. If the county or property owner cannot retain a realtor and can verify three attempts to retain a realtor or a reasonable time of not less than one year has passed and the realtor cannot complete sale of the property, the County must sell the property at auction.

(b) The auction must follow the following procedure:

(1) the auction must be advertised in a multiple listing service for at least 30 days prior to the date of the auction;

(2) the minimum starting bid must be two-thirds of the property's most recent assessed value as determined by the county assessor;

(3) a limited auction fee of no more than 3% of the value of the property. The auction may include an online bidding process in which bids are received electronically over the Internet in real time. If the property fails to sell at auction, the county shall conduct a public high bid auction in which the minimum starting bid shall equal the amount of the outstanding taxes and other allowable costs chargeable against the property. If the property fails to sell after the county conducts an auction, the county may forgive the amount of outstanding taxes and allowable costs and retain the property for public purposes or transfer title to a nonprofit organization for purposes of public benefit.

(c) If the sale or auction of the property results in a surplus after consideration of commissions and costs, the county must return the surplus to persons with an interest in the property. If any person with an interest in the property cannot be found, the County must report the surplus to the Illinois Treasurer for distribution as unclaimed property under the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act. The report shall include the address, phone number and tax ID number of the most recent owner or owners together with any other information regarding the property owner or owners' identity.

(d) Determination of surplus.

(1) As used in this Section, surplus means an amount equal to the value of real property for which a tax deed was issued under this chapter and disposed of by the County as permitted herein less the allowable costs the county may charge against the property under subsection and any realtor commission.

(2) The amount of a surplus shall be determined within 60 days after the date on which the gross sales proceeds from the sale of the property are received by the county.

(3) For property sold by listing with a real estate broker or agent or sold at auction, the amount of the surplus is the value received by the county minus:

(i) an amount required to repay any obligations incurred under the Property Tax Program created under Section 7 of the State Deposit of Moneys Act; the Treasurer may adopt rules to further the administration of this Section;

(ii) costs of sale, including realtor commission and court costs;

(iii) fees authorized by this Code;

(iv) an amount required to pay taxes owed to taxing bodies net of any amounts received for this purpose under the Property Tax Program created under Section 7 of the State Deposit of Moneys Act;

(v) any liens placed on the property.

(vi) Within 60 days of the sale, the County shall deliver notice of a surplus to: (a) The claimant at the claimant's last known address. At the top of the notice in capital letters, in at least 14-point type, the following language: NOTICE: YOU ARE ENTITLED TO A REFUND OF MONEY HELD BY THE COUNTY. TO RECEIVE MORE INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE, CONTACT [insert county office and telephone number and website]. THERE ARE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN GIVE YOU INFORMATION ABOUT FORECLOSURE AND HELP YOU DECIDE WHAT TO DO. FOR GENERAL INFORMATION AT NO COST TO YOU, CONTACT A CERTIFIED HOUSING COUNSELOR AT [INSERT LEGAL AID WEBSITE]. IF YOU DO NOT CLAIM THE REFUND BY [INSERT APPROPRIATE TIME FOR REPORT TO UNCLAIMED PROPERTY] YOU MAY CONTACT THE ILLINOIS STATE TREASURER AT [PHONE NUMBER] OR SEEK INFORMATION AT [WEBSITE].

(vii) The County shall distribute funds received for the sale of the property to the parties entitled to the funds under this Section within 30 days of receipt.

(viii) after a good faith attempt to sell the property under this Section the county may transfer the deed to any property acquired by tax deed to taxing districts, municipalities, land banks created pursuant to Illinois law, or non-profit developers focused on constructing affordable housing. The recipient of the deed shall calculate the value of the property as if it were a taking under domain for purposes of returning any surplus value to persons with an ownership interest.

(ix) This Section applies only to liens or certificates originally issued in tax years after the effective date of this amendatory act.

(d) Subsections (a) through (c) of this Section shall only apply to tax sales for the tax year occurring prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act.

(e) Beginning in tax year 2027, the lien for taxes shall be assigned to the county as trustee pursuant to subsection (a-5) of Section 2-90.

(35 ILCS 200/21-135)

Sec. 21-135. Mailed notice of application for judgment and sale. Not less than 15 days before the date of application for judgment and sale of delinquent properties, the county collector shall mail, by registered or certified mail, a notice of the forthcoming application for judgment and sale to the person shown by the current collector's warrant book to be the party in whose name the taxes were last assessed or to the current owner of record and, if applicable, to the party specified under Section 15-170. The notice shall include the intended dates of application for judgment and sale and commencement of the sale, and a description of the properties. The county collector must present proof of the mailing to the court along with the application for judgement.

In counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants, a copy of this notice shall also be mailed by the county collector by registered or certified mail to any lienholder of record who annually requests a copy of the notice. The failure of the county collector to mail a notice or its non-delivery to the lienholder shall not affect the validity of the judgment.

In counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, notice shall not be mailed to any person when, under Section 14-15, a certificate of error has been executed by the county assessor or by both the county assessor and board of appeals (until the first Monday in December 1998 and the board of review beginning the first Monday in December 1998 and thereafter), except as provided by court order under Section 21-120.

For tax years before tax year 2027, the The collector shall collect $10 from the proceeds of each sale to cover the costs of registered or certified mailing and the costs of advertisement and publication. If a taxpayer pays the taxes on the property after the notice of the forthcoming application for judgment and sale is mailed but before the sale is made, then the collector shall collect $10 from the taxpayer to cover the costs of registered or certified mailing and the costs of advertisement and publication.

For tax year 2027 and thereafter, the collector shall add $10 for the tax certificate to cover the costs of registered or certified mailing and the costs of advertising and publication. If a taxpayer pays the taxes on the property after the notice of the forthcoming application for judgment and sale is mailed but before the tax certificate is issued, then the collector shall collect $10 from the taxpayer to cover the costs of registered or certified mailing and the costs of advertisement and publication. Otherwise, the fee shall be collected when the property is redeemed or collected from the proceeds of the sale of the property.

(Source: P.A. 93-899, eff. 8-10-04.)

(35 ILCS 200/21-200)

Sec. 21-200. County clerk assistance at sale. The county clerk, in person or by deputy, shall attend all sales for taxes, made by the collector, and shall assist at the sales. This Section applies only to tax sales that occurred before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly.

(Source: Laws 1939, p. 886; P.A. 88-455.)

(35 ILCS 200/21-210)

Sec. 21-210. Bids by taxing districts. Any city, incorporated town or village, corporate authorities, commissioners, or persons interested in any special assessment or installment thereof, may become purchaser at any sale, and may designate and appoint some officer or person to attend and bid at the sale on its behalf. This Section shall only apply to tax sales occurring before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly.

(Source: Laws 1939, p. 886; P.A. 88-455.)

(35 ILCS 200/21-215)

Sec. 21-215. Penalty bids. The person at the sale offering to pay the amount due on each property for the least penalty percentage shall be the purchaser of that property. No bid shall be accepted for a penalty exceeding 9% of the amount of the tax or special assessment on property. This subsection shall apply only to tax sales occurring before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 102-363, eff. 1-1-22.)

(35 ILCS 200/21-220)

Sec. 21-220. Letter of credit or bond in counties of 3,000,000 or more; registration in other counties.

(a) In counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, no person shall make an offer to pay the amount due on any property and the collector shall not accept or acknowledge an offer from any person who has not deposited with the collector, not less than 10 days prior to making such offer, an irrevocable and unconditional letter of credit or such other unconditional bond payable to the order of the collector in an amount not less than 1.5 times the amount of any tax or special assessment due upon the property, provided that in no event shall the irrevocable and unconditional letter of credit or such other unconditional bond be in an amount less than $1,000. The collector may without notice draw upon the letter of credit or bond in the event payment of the amount due together with interest and costs thereon is not made forthwith by the person purchasing any property. At all times during the sale, any person making an offer or offers to pay the amount or amounts due on any properties shall maintain the letter of credit or bond with the collector in an amount not less than 1.5 times the amount due on the properties which he or she has purchased and for which he or she has not paid.

In counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants, unless the county board provides otherwise, no person shall be eligible to bid who did not register with the county collector at least 10 business days prior to the first day of sale authorized under Section 21-115. The registration must be accompanied by a deposit in an amount determined by the county collector, but not to exceed $250 in counties of less than 50,000 inhabitants or $500 in all other counties, which must be applied to the amount due on the properties that the registrant has purchased. If the registrant cannot participate in the tax sale, then he or she may notify the tax collector, no later than 5 business days prior to the sale, of the name of the substitute person who will participate in the sale in the registrant's place, and an additional deposit is not required for any such substitute person. If the registrant does not attend the sale, then the deposit is forfeited to the Tax Sale Automation Fund established under Section 21-245. If the registrant does attend the sale and attempts, but fails, to purchase any parcels offered for sale, then the deposit must be refunded to the registrant.

This Section applies only to tax sales occurring before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 95-537, eff. 8-28-07.)

(35 ILCS 200/21-225)

Sec. 21-225. Forfeited tax liens and certificates. Every tax lien or certificate for property offered at public sale, and not sold for want of bidders, unless it is released from sale by the withdrawal from collection of a special assessment levied thereon, shall be forfeited to the county, as trustee for the taxing districts, and managed pursuant to Section 21-90. Tax certificates are also forfeited to the county in those circumstances described in subsection (d) of Section 21-310 and subsection (f) of Section 22-40 of this Code.

For tax sales occurring after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly, every tax lien or certificate shall be assigned to the county as if forfeited.

(Source: P.A. 103-555, eff. 1-1-24.)

(35 ILCS 200/21-240)

Sec. 21-240. Payment for property purchased at tax sale; reoffering for sale.

(a) Except as otherwise provided below, the person purchasing any property, or any part thereof, shall be liable to the county for the amount due and shall forthwith pay to the county collector the amount charged on the property. Upon failure to do so, the amount due shall be recoverable in a civil action brought in the name of the People of the State of Illinois in any court of competent jurisdiction. The person so purchasing shall be relieved of liability only by payment of the amount due together with interest and costs thereon, or if the property is reoffered at the sale, purchased and paid for. Reoffering of the property for sale shall be at the discretion of the collector. The sale shall not be closed until payment is made or the property again offered for sale. In counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, only the taxes, special assessments, interest and costs as advertised in the sale shall be required to be paid forthwith. Except if the purchaser is the county as trustee pursuant to Section 21-90, the general taxes charged on the land remaining due and unpaid, including amounts subject to certificates of error, not included in the advertisement, shall be paid by the purchaser within 10 days after the sale, except that upon payment of the fee provided by law to the County Clerk (which fee shall be deemed part of the costs of sale) the purchaser may make written application, within the 10 day period, to the county clerk for a statement of all taxes, interest and costs due and an estimate of the cost of redemption of all forfeited general taxes, which were not included in the advertisement. After obtaining such statement and estimate and an order on the county collector to receive the amount of forfeited general taxes, if any, the purchaser shall pay to the county collector all the remaining taxes, interest and costs, and the amount necessary to redeem the forfeited general taxes. The county collector shall issue the purchaser a receipt therefor. Any delay in providing the statement or in accepting payment, and delivering receipt therefor, shall not be counted as a part of the 10 days. When the receipt of the collector is issued, a copy shall be filed with the county clerk and the county clerk shall include the amount shown in such receipt in the amount of the purchase price of the property in the certificate of purchase. The purchaser then shall be entitled to a certificate of purchase. If a purchaser fails to complete his or her purchase as provided in this Section, the purchase shall become void, and be of no effect, but the collector shall not refund the amount paid in cash at the time of the sale, except in cases of sale in error under subsection (a) of Section 21-310. That amount shall be treated as a payment and distributed to the taxing bodies as other collections are distributed. The lien for taxes for the amount paid shall remain on the property, in favor of the purchaser, his or her heirs or assigns, until paid with 5% interest per year on that amount from the date the purchaser paid it. The amount and fact of such ineffective purchase shall be entered in the tax judgment, sale, redemption and forfeiture record opposite the property upon which the lien remains. No redemption shall be made without payment of this amount for the benefit of the purchaser, and no future sale of the property shall be made except subject to the lien of such purchaser. This section shall not apply to any purchase by any city, village or incorporated town in default of other bidders at any sale for delinquent special assessments.

(b) Subsection (a) applies only to tax sales occurring before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 103-555, eff. 1-1-24.)

(35 ILCS 200/21-245)

Sec. 21-245. Automation fee. For tax years before tax year 2027, in In all counties, each person purchasing any property at a sale under this Code shall pay to the county collector, prior to the issuance of any tax certificate, an automation fee set by the county collector of not more than $10 for each item purchased. A like sum shall be paid for each year that all or a portion of the subsequent taxes are paid by a tax purchaser and posted to the tax judgment, sale, redemption and forfeiture record where the underlying certificate is recorded. In counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants:

(a) The fee shall be paid at the time of the purchase if the record keeping system used for processing the delinquent property tax sales is automated or has been approved for automation by the county board. The fee shall be collected in the same manner as other fees or costs.

(b) Fees collected under this Section shall be retained by the county treasurer in a fund designated as the Tax Sale Automation Fund. The fund shall be audited by the county auditor. The county board, with the approval of the county treasurer, shall make expenditures from the fund (1) to pay any costs related to the automation of property tax collections and delinquent property tax sales, including the cost of hardware, software, research and development, and personnel and (2) to defray the cost of providing electronic access to property tax collection records and delinquent tax sale records.

For liens or certificates assigned to the county as trustee for all taxing districts after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly, a $10 automation fee set by the county collector shall be added to each certificate. A $10 automation fee shall be added for each year that all or a portion of subsequent taxes are not paid within 90 days of the second installment deadline. The fee shall be retained by the county collector in a fund designated as the Tax Sale Automation Fund. The fee shall be transferred from the proceeds of a redemption or from the sale of the foreclosed property. The fund shall be audited by the county auditor. The county board, with the approval of the county treasurer, shall make expenditures from the fund (1) to pay any costs related to the automation of property tax collections, including the cost of hardware, software, research and development, and personnel and (2) to defray the cost of providing electronic access to property tax collection records and delinquent tax sale records.

(Source: P.A. 100-1070, eff. 1-1-19; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.)

(35 ILCS 200/21-251)

Sec. 21-251. Registry of owners of certificates of purchase.

(a) The county clerk of each county shall create and maintain a registry system that permanently records the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of owners or assignees of certificates of purchase issued pursuant to any tax sale conducted under this Code. The registry may consist of a single record or a combination of records maintained in paper or electronic form and may include copies of records kept by the county treasurer for other purposes, all to be used as the county clerk deems appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Section. The information in the registry shall be made available to the public.

(b) The county clerk of each county is authorized to promulgate reasonable rules, procedures, and forms for purposes of creating and maintaining the registry and for access to the registry information by members of the public. In counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants, any owner of a certificate of purchase pursuant to assignment may elect whether to register that assignment as provided in this Section, but all owners of certificates of purchase shall be subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section. In counties with less than 3,000,000 inhabitants, the county clerk shall provide by rule whether registration of assignments of certificates of purchase shall be elective or mandatory.

(c) The owner of a certificate of purchase pursuant to assignment, in order to register that assignment, shall submit to the county clerk the owner's name, address, and telephone number in accordance with any rules, procedures, and forms promulgated by the clerk. Any registered owner of a certificate of purchase may update the registration at any time without charge by submitting to the county clerk any lawful change of name, address, or telephone number.

(d) If notice is required to be given to the owner of the certificate of purchase in any proceeding, whether judicial or administrative, affecting a tax sale conducted under any provision of this Code, the notice may be directed to the most recent owner of the certificate of purchase appearing in the county clerk's registry under this Section. Any notice that has been directed as provided in this Section shall be conclusively presumed to be properly directed to the owner of the certificate of purchase for all purposes related to the proceeding in which the notice is given. No objection or assertion by any assignee of a certificate of purchase in any proceeding shall be heard on grounds that a notice to the tax purchaser was misdirected, unless that assignee's current and lawful name, address, and telephone number were submitted to the county clerk's registry at the time of the notice in question.

(e) For tax years before tax year 2027, the The county clerk may assess an automation fee of no more than $10 to be paid by the owner of the certificate of purchase for each assignment of the certificate that is registered under this Section. The fee shall be collected in the same manner as other fees and costs and shall be held by the county clerk in a fund for purposes of automating his or her office. The fee provided for under this Section shall not be chargeable to the cost of redemption under Section 21-355 nor shall it be posted under Section 21-360 of this Code.

(Source: P.A. 92-729, eff. 7-25-02.)

(35 ILCS 200/21-342 new)

Sec. 21-342. Repealer. This Division 6 shall only apply to liens sold at tax sales for tax years before tax year 2027.

(35 ILCS 200/21-398 new)

Sec. 21-398. Distribution of funds received for redemption. For tax years after 2027, funds received to redeem property shall be disbursed in the following priority:

(1) To repay any obligations incurred under the Property Tax Program created under Section 7 of the State Deposit of Moneys Act. The Treasurer may propound rules to further the administration of this Section.

(2) To transfer any fees added to the tax certificate that are authorized by the Property Tax Code.

(3) Any remaining funds are to be distributed to the taxing bodies as determined by the original tax bill.

Section 15. The Counties Code is amended by changing Section 4-4001 as follows:

(55 ILCS 5/4-4001) (from Ch. 34, par. 4-4001)

Sec. 4-4001. County clerks; counties of first and second class. The fees of the county clerk in counties of the first and second class, except when increased by county ordinance pursuant to the provisions of this Section, shall be:

For each official copy of any process, file, record or other instrument of and pertaining to his office, 50¢ for each 100 words, and $1 additional for certifying and sealing the same.

For filing any paper not herein otherwise provided for, $1, except that no fee shall be charged for filing a Statement of economic interest pursuant to the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act or reports made pursuant to Article 9 of the Election Code.

For issuance of fireworks permits, $2.

For issuance of liquor licenses, $5.

For filing and recording of the appointment and oath of each public official, $3.

For officially certifying and sealing each copy of any process, file, record or other instrument of and pertaining to his office, $1.

For swearing any person to an affidavit, $1.

For issuing each license in all matters except where the fee for the issuance thereof is otherwise fixed, $4.

For issuing each civil union or marriage license, the certificate thereof, and for recording the same, including the recording of the parent's or guardian's consent where indicated, a fee to be determined by the county board of the county, not to exceed $75, which shall be the same, whether for a civil union or marriage license. $5 from all civil union and marriage license fees shall be remitted by the clerk to the State Treasurer for deposit into the Domestic Violence Fund.

For taking and certifying acknowledgments to any instrument, except where herein otherwise provided for, $1.

For issuing each certificate of appointment or commission, the fee for which is not otherwise fixed by law, $1.

For cancelling tax sale and issuing and sealing certificates of redemption, $3.

For issuing order to county treasurer for redemption of forfeited tax, $2.

For trying and sealing weights and measures by county standard, together with all actual expenses in connection therewith, $1.

For services in case of estrays, $2.

The following fees shall be allowed for services attending the sale of land for taxes, and shall be charged as costs against the delinquent property and be collected with the taxes thereon:

For services in attending the tax sale and issuing certificate of sale and sealing the same, for each tract or town lot sold, $4. For tax years after tax year 2027, the fee shall be added to the tax certificate and shall be paid when the property is redeemed or from the proceeds of the sale of property.

For making list of delinquent lands and town lots sold, to be filed with the Comptroller, for each tract or town lot sold, 10¢.

The county board of any county of the first or second class may by ordinance authorize the county clerk to impose an additional $2 charge for certified copies of vital records as defined in Section 1 of the Vital Records Act, for the purpose of developing, maintaining, and improving technology in the office of the County Clerk.

The foregoing fees allowed by this Section are the maximum fees that may be collected from any officer, agency, department or other instrumentality of the State. The county board may, however, by ordinance, increase the fees allowed by this Section and the indexing and filing of assumed name certificate fees allowed by Section 3 of the Assumed Business Name Act and collect such increased fees from all persons and entities other than officers, agencies, departments and other instrumentalities of the State if the increase is justified by an acceptable cost study showing that the fees allowed by these Sections are not sufficient to cover the cost of providing the service.

A Statement of the costs of providing each service, program and activity shall be prepared by the county board. All supporting documents shall be public record and subject to public examination and audit. All direct and indirect costs, as defined in the United States Office of Management and Budget Circular A-87, may be included in the determination of the costs of each service, program and activity.

The county clerk in all cases may demand and receive the payment of all fees for services in advance so far as the same can be ascertained.

The county board of any county of the first or second class may by ordinance authorize the county treasurer to establish a special fund for deposit of the additional charge. Moneys in the special fund shall be used solely to provide the equipment, material and necessary expenses incurred to help defray the cost of implementing and maintaining such document storage system.

(Source: P.A. 102-160, eff. 6-5-23 (See Section 91 of P.A. 103-562 for effective date of P.A. 102-160).)

Section 20. The Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act is amended by adding Sections 15-407, 15-505, and 15-706 as follows:

(765 ILCS 1026/15-407 new)

Sec. 15-407. Reports. Reports from local governments due to tax surplusage will be treated as reports from holders for purposes of this Act.

(765 ILCS 1026/15-505 new)

Sec. 15-505. Local governments. Property reported to the administrator from local governments will be treated as presumably abandoned for purposes of this Act.

(765 ILCS 1026/15-705)

Sec. 15-705. Exceptions to the sale of tangible property. The administrator shall dispose of tangible property identified by this Section in accordance with this Section.

(a) Military medals or decorations. The administrator may not sell a medal or decoration awarded for military service in the armed forces of the United States. Instead, the administrator, with the consent of the respective organization under paragraph (1), agency under paragraph (2), or entity under paragraph (3), may deliver a medal or decoration to be held in custody for the owner, to:

(1) a military veterans organization qualified under Section 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code;

(2) the agency that awarded the medal or decoration; or

(3) a governmental entity.

After delivery, the administrator is not responsible for the safekeeping of the medal or decoration.

(b) Property with historical value. Property that the administrator reasonably believes may have historical value may be, at his or her discretion, loaned to an accredited museum in the United States where it will be kept until such time as the administrator orders it to be returned to his or her custody.

(c) Human remains. If human remains are delivered to the administrator under this Act, the administrator shall deliver those human remains to the coroner of the county in which the human remains were abandoned for disposition under Section 3-3034 of the Counties Code. The only human remains that may be delivered to the administrator under this Act and that the administrator may receive are those that are reported and delivered as contents of a safe deposit box.

(d) Evidence in a criminal investigation. Property that may have been used in the commission of a crime or that may assist in the investigation of a crime, as determined after consulting with the Illinois State Police, shall be delivered to the Illinois State Police or other appropriate law enforcement authority to allow law enforcement to determine whether a criminal investigation should take place. Any such property delivered to a law enforcement authority shall be held in accordance with existing statutes and rules related to the gathering, retention, and release of evidence.

(e) Firearms.

(1) The administrator, in cooperation with the Illinois State Police, shall develop a procedure to determine whether a firearm delivered to the administrator under this Act has been stolen or used in the commission of a crime. The Illinois State Police shall determine the appropriate disposition of a firearm that has been stolen or used in the commission of a crime. The administrator shall attempt to return a firearm that has not been stolen or used in the commission of a crime to the rightful owner if the Illinois State Police determines that the owner may lawfully possess the firearm.

(2) If the administrator is unable to return a firearm to its owner, the administrator shall transfer custody of the firearm to the Illinois State Police. Legal title to a firearm transferred to the Illinois State Police under this subsection (e) is vested in the Illinois State Police by operation of law if:

(i) the administrator cannot locate the owner of the firearm;

(ii) the owner of the firearm may not lawfully possess the firearm;

(iii) the apparent owner does not respond to notice published under Section 15-503 of this Act; or

(iv) the apparent owner responds to notice published under Section 15-502 and states that he or she no longer claims an interest in the firearm.

(3) With respect to a firearm whose title is transferred to the Illinois State Police under this subsection (e), the Illinois State Police may:

(i) retain the firearm for use by the crime laboratory system, for training purposes, or for any other application as deemed appropriate by the Department;

(ii) transfer the firearm to the Illinois State Museum if the firearm has historical value; or

(iii) destroy the firearm if it is not retained pursuant to subparagraph (i) or transferred pursuant to subparagraph (ii).

As used in this subsection, "firearm" has the meaning provided in the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act.

(f) The sale of real properties foreclosed upon for delinquent taxes under the Property Tax Code are not subject to Section 15-702 of this Act and must be sold by the County under the provisions of the Property Tax Code.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)