SB2101sam002 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Sen. Jacqueline Y. Collins

Filed: 3/25/2009

09600SB2101sam002 LRB096 11443 RLJ 24194 a

AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 2101

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 2101 by replacing everything after the enacting clause with the following:

"Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Illinois Land Banking Act.

Section 5. Findings. There is a continuing need to strengthen and revitalize the economy of this State. Vacant and abandoned properties threaten communities around the State because those properties diminish property values, enable crime, and create health hazards. Municipalities are often unaware of which properties are at risk of becoming vacant and abandoned. Municipalities have an interest in knowing the status of the housing stock located in their jurisdictions. Local governments should be empowered to acquire, develop, maintain, and dispose of vacant and abandoned properties that present a threat to communities around the State. Municipalities lack many of the tools necessary to ensure adequate property maintenance. Municipalities are unable to recover the reasonable costs of their property maintenance activity.

Section 10. Definitions.

"Authority" means a land bank authority created by one or more municipalities pursuant to this Act.

"Intergovernmental agreement" means a contractual agreement between one or more governmental agencies, including, but not limited to, an agreement to jointly exercise any power, privilege, or authority that agencies share in common and that each might exercise separately under this Act.

Section 15. Authorization. A municipality or several municipalities may create a land bank authority with any or all of the powers and restrictions specified in this Act. In creating an authority, the municipality shall provide for all of the following:

(1) The incorporation of the authority as a public body, corporate and politic.

(2) Articles of incorporation for the authority, which must specify a list of permissible purposes for authority activity under this Act.

(3) The size of the board of directors for the authority.

(4) The qualifications, methods of selection, and terms of office of the board members.

Section 20. Election of tax remittance. A municipality may authorize the remittance of a portion of taxes collected on real property, pursuant to the Property Tax Code, to the authority that sold or conveyed real property in order to further the purposes of this Act. The municipality may elect to have up to 50% of those taxes remitted to the authority for up to 5 years after the land bank has completed the sale or conveyance of the property.

Section 25. Board of directors. An authority shall be governed by a board of directors, the board shall consist of 3 or more directors. The board of directors shall be composed of an odd number of members.

Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any public officer shall be eligible to serve as a board member and the acceptance of the appointment shall neither terminate nor impair such public office. For the purposes of this Section, "public officer" means a person who is elected to a State or local government office.

Any State or local government employee shall be eligible to serve as a board member.

The board of the authority shall meet from time to time as required, and the presence of a majority of the board of directors shall constitute a quorum. A chairperson shall be elected from among the members, and he or she shall execute all deeds, leases, and contracts of the authority when authorized by the board. The board of the authority shall conduct meetings in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. The board of the authority shall adopt a code of ethics for its directors, officers, and employees. The board of the authority shall establish policies and procedures requiring the disclosure of relationships that may give rise to a conflict of interest. The board of the authority shall require that any member of the board with a direct or indirect interest in any matter disclose the member's interest to the board before the board takes any action on that matter. Members of the board of directors of an authority shall serve without compensation.

Section 30. Powers. A municipality or several municipalities may grant an authority any or all of the powers enumerated in this Section, subject to any conditions, restrictions, or limitations of the municipality, including the power to:

(a) Acquire property pursuant to Section 35 of this Act.

(b) Extinguish taxes pursuant to Section 40 of this Act.

(c) Adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business.

(d) Sue and be sued in its own name and plead and be impleaded, including, but not limited to, defending the authority in an action to clear title to property conveyed by the authority.

(e) Take any action, provide any notice, or instate any proceeding required to clear or quiet title to property held by the authority in order to establish ownership by and vest title to property in the authority.

(f) Be made party to and defend any action or proceeding concerning title claims against property held by the authority.

(g) Subject to the written approval of the board of directors, borrow money and issue bonds and notes according to the provisions of this Act.

(h) Enter into contracts and other instruments necessary, incidental, or convenient to the performance of its duties and the exercise of its powers, including, but not limited to, intergovernmental agreements, for the joint exercise of power under this Act.

(i) Enter into contracts for the management of, the collection of rent from, and the sale of real property held by an authority.

(j) Enter into contracts with other entities, public or private, for the provision of all or a portion of the services necessary for the management and operation of the authority.

(k) Solicit and accept gifts, grants, labor, loans, and other aid from any person, the federal government, this State, a political subdivision of this State or any agency of the federal government, or an intergovernmental entity created under the laws of this State or participate in any other way in a program of the federal government, this State, a political subdivision of this State, or an intergovernmental entity created under the laws of this State.

(l) Procure insurance against loss in connection with the property, assets, or activities of the authority.

(m) Control, hold, manage, maintain, operate, repair, lease as lessor, secure, prevent the waste or deterioration of, demolish, and take all other actions necessary to preserve the value of the property it holds or owns.

(n) Remediate environmental contamination on any property held by the authority.

(o) Fix, charge, and collect rents, fees, and charges for use of property under the control of the authority or for services provided by the authority.

(p) Grant or acquire a license, easement, or option with respect to property as the authority determines is reasonably necessary to achieve the purposes of the Act.

(q) Convey, sell, transfer, exchange, lease as lessor, or otherwise dispose of property, rights, or interests in property to which the authority holds a legal interest to any public or private person for value determined by the authority.

(r) Pay any tax or special assessment due on property acquired or owned by the authority.

(s) Subject to the Public Funds Investment Act, invest money of the authority, at the discretion of the board of directors of the authority, in instruments, obligations, securities, or property determined proper by the board of directors of the authority, and name and use depositories for its money.

(t) Employ its own employees or use employees of the authorizing municipality or employees of the parties to intergovernmental agreements.

(u) Employ legal and technical experts, other officers, agents, or employees and pay them from the funds of the authority and determine the qualifications, duties, and compensation of those it employs.

(v) The board of directors of an authority may delegate to one or more of its members, officers, agents, or employees any powers or duties it considers proper.

(w) Reimburse members of the board of directors of the authority for actual and necessary expenses subject to available appropriations.

(x) Contract for goods and services and engage personnel as necessary and engage the services of private consultants, managers, legal counsel, engineers, accounts, and auditors for rendering professional financial assistance and advice payable out of any money available to the authority.

(y) Prepare the reports or plans the authority considers necessary to assist it in the exercise of its powers under this Act and to monitor and evaluate progress under this Act.

The powers granted by this Act are in addition to the powers granted by any other law, statute, or charter.

Section 35. Acquisition of property. An authority may acquire by gift, devise, transfer, exchange, foreclosure, purchase, or otherwise on terms and conditions and in a manner the authority considers proper, real property within the authority's jurisdiction, or rights or interests in real property within the authority's jurisdiction.

An authority may acquire by gift, devise, transfer, exchange, foreclosure, purchase, or otherwise on terms and conditions and in a manner the authority considers proper, real property outside of the authority's jurisdiction pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement, or rights or interests in real property outside of the authority's jurisdiction pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement.

An authority may acquire by gift, devise, transfer, exchange, foreclosure, purchase, or otherwise on terms and conditions and in a manner the authority considers proper, personal property, or rights or interests in personal property.

Real property acquired by an authority by purchase may be by purchase contract, lease purchase agreement, installment sales contract, land contract, or otherwise.

An authority may hold and own in its name any property acquired by it or conveyed to it by this State, a foreclosing governmental unit, a unit of local government, an intergovernmental entity created under the laws of this State, or any other public or private person, including, but not limited to, property without clear title.

All deeds, mortgages, contracts, leases, purchases, or other agreements regarding property of an authority, including agreements to acquire or dispose of real property, shall be approved by and executed in the name of the authority.

An authority shall have the right to purchase properties at tax sales conducted in accordance with Division 3.5 of the Property Tax Code.

(a) The authority may tender a bid at a tax sale that is a credit bid, consisting of the obligation of the authority to satisfy the component parts of the bid by payments to the respective political subdivisions.

(b) A bid by the authority at a tax sale for the minimum amount shall take priority over all other bids for the same property.

Section 40. Taxes. When a property is acquired by the authority, the authority shall have the power to extinguish all outstanding county and city or consolidated government taxes, including school district taxes, at the time it sells or otherwise disposes of property.

Property of an authority is public property devoted to an essential public and governmental function and purpose. Income of the authority is considered to be for a public and governmental purpose. The property of the authority and its income and operation are exempt from all taxes and special assessments of this State and all units of local government. Bonds or notes issued by the authority, and the interest on and income from those bonds and notes, are exempt from all taxation of this State or a unit of local government.

Section 45. Receipt of taxes. All moneys received by an authority as payment of taxes, penalties, or interest, or from the redemption or sale of property subject to a tax lien of any taxing unit shall be returned to the appropriate local tax collecting unit in which the property is located.

Section 50. Proceeds. Except as otherwise provided in this Act, as required by other law, as required under the provisions of a deed, or as an authority otherwise agrees, any proceeds received by the authority may be retained by the authority for the purposes of this Act.

Section 55. Record maintenance. The authority shall maintain a written inventory of all property held by the authority. The property shall be inventoried and classified by the authority according to title status and suitability for use. The inventory shall be available for public inspection during regular business hours.

For each property held, the authority shall establish and maintain itemized records and accounts reflecting all transactions, expenditures, and revenues relating to all property held by the authority.

Section 60. The Property Tax Code is amended by adding Sections 21-111 and 21-231 as follows:

(35 ILCS 200/21-111 new)

Sec. 21-111. Notice to municipalities and townships of annual application for judgment and sale; delinquent taxes. At any time after all taxes have become delinquent in any year, the county collector shall provide notice of the intended application for judgment and sale of delinquent properties to all municipal clerks in the county's jurisdiction and all township assessors responsible for unincorporated areas in the county's jurisdiction. The notice shall be provided at least 10 days before the day on which judgment is to be applied for.

Unless otherwise requested by a municipal clerk or township assessor, notice shall include a list of the delinquent properties upon which the taxes or any part thereof remain due and unpaid, the names of owners, if known, the total amount due, and the year or years for which they are due and such notices shall be printed and identify properties by property index number.

Properties upon which taxes have been paid in full under protest shall not be included in the list. In each such notice, the county collector shall inform the municipal clerk or township assessor of the clerk or assessor's ability to elect to receive such notices electronically, to limit the list of properties about which it receives notice to a list of properties identified by property index numbers provided by the municipal clerk or township assessor, and to elect not to receive notice under this Section.

At any time, a municipal clerk or township assessor may elect, by providing written notice to the county collector: (1) to receive such notice electronically, (2) to limit the list of properties about which it receives notice to a list identified by property index numbers provided by the municipal clerk or township assessor, and (3) to elect not to receive notice under this Section. A municipal clerk or township assessor may reverse any such election at any time by providing written notice to the county collector.

(35 ILCS 200/21-231 new)

Sec. 21-231. Notice of sales and redemptions. When any property is sold, the county clerk shall send notice of the sale to the municipal clerk of the jurisdiction where the property is located of the name of the purchaser and the amount of the final bid. When any property is redeemed from sale, the county clerk shall send notice to the municipal clerk of the jurisdiction where the property is located of the name of the person redeeming and the redemption date. Notice must be sent by registered or certified mail within 30 days after sale or redemption.

Section 65. The Counties Code is amended by changing Sections 5-1099 and 5-1118 and by adding Section 5-1131 as follows:

(55 ILCS 5/5-1099) (from Ch. 34, par. 5-1099)

Sec. 5-1099. Weed cutting on residential subdivision lots. In counties of less than 3,000,000 inhabitants, a county board may provide for the cutting of weeds on lots in subdivisions in residential areas in the unincorporated area of the county or any part thereof, when the owners of the subdivision lot refuse or neglect to cut them, and may collect from the owners the reasonable cost thereof. Notice of intention to cut weeds shall be given to the owners of subdivision lot involved at least 15 days before such action is intended to be taken, by mailing a written copy of such notice to the last known address of each such owner or owners. This cost, including any associated fees and other costs related to the enforcement of this Section, is a lien upon the subdivision lot affected, superior to all prior existing other liens and encumbrances, except tax liens; provided that within 60 days after such cost and expense is incurred the county, or person performing the service by authority of the county in his or its own name, files notice of lien in the office of the recorder in the county in which such subdivision lot is located or in the office of the Registrar of Titles of the county if the subdivision lot affected is registered under the Torrens system. The notice shall consist of a sworn statement setting out (1) a description of the subdivision lot sufficient for identification thereof, (2) the amount of money representing the cost and expense incurred or payable for the service, and (3) the date or dates when such cost and expense was incurred by the county. However, the lien of such county shall not be valid as to any purchaser whose rights in and to such subdivision lot have arisen subsequent to the weed-cutting and prior to the filing of such notice , and the lien of the county shall not be valid as to any mortgagee, judgment creditor or other lienor whose rights in and to such subdivision lot arise prior to the filing of such notice. Upon payment of the cost and expense by the owner of or persons interested in such property after notice of lien has been filed, the lien shall be released by the county or person in whose name this lien has been filed and the release may be filed of record as in the case of filing notice of lien.

(Source: P.A. 86-962; 86-1028.)

(55 ILCS 5/5-1118) (from Ch. 34, par. 5-1118)

Sec. 5-1118. Garbage and debris removal. The county board of any county may provide for the removal of garbage and debris from unincorporated areas of the county if the owner of the property refuses or neglects to remove the garbage and debris and may collect the reasonable costs of removal from the owner. Notice of the county's intention to remove garbage and debris shall be given to the owner or owners of the property by mailing a written copy of the notice to the last known address of each owner or owners at least 15 days before the action is intended to be taken. This cost of removal, including any associated fees and other costs related to the enforcement of this Section, is a lien upon the real estate affected that is superior to all prior existing other liens and encumbrances, except tax liens, if within 60 days after the costs are incurred, the county or person performing the service by authority of the county, in his or its own name, files notice of lien in the office of the recorder in the county in which the real estate is located or files notice of the lien in the office of the Registrar of Titles of the county if the real estate affected is registered under the Registered Titles (Torrens) Act. The notice shall consist of a sworn statement setting out: (1) a description of the real estate sufficient for identification, (2) the amount of money representing the cost and expense incurred or payable for the service, and (3) the date or dates when the costs were incurred by the county.

The lien of the county shall not be valid as to any purchaser whose rights in and to the real estate have arisen after the removal of the garbage and debris and before the filing of the notice. The lien of the county shall not be valid as to any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor whose rights in and to the real estate arose before the filing of the notice. Upon payment of the removal costs by the property owner or persons interested in the property, the lien shall be released by the county or the person in whose name the lien has been filed, and the release may be filed of record as in the case of filing notice of lien. The lien may be enforced by proceedings to foreclose as in the case of mortgages or mechanics' liens. An action to foreclose this lien shall be commenced within 2 years after the date of filing notice of the lien.

(Source: P.A. 87-939.)

(55 ILCS 5/5-1131 new)

Sec. 5-1131. Vacant and abandoned property ordinances. For the purposes of minimizing the hazards to persons and property resulting from vacant and abandoned property, a county board may prescribe rules, regulations, or ordinances for the maintenance of vacant and abandoned property within the unincorporated territories of its jurisdiction. A county board may impose registration fees for vacant and abandoned property and fines for failure to comply with the rules, regulations, or ordinances enacted pursuant to this Section.

Section 70. The Illinois Municipal Code is amended by changing Sections 11-20-7, 11-20-13, and 11-31.1-12 and by adding Sections 11-20-15, 11-20-16, and 11-20-17 as follows:

(65 ILCS 5/11-20-7) (from Ch. 24, par. 11-20-7)

Sec. 11-20-7. Cutting of weeds. The corporate authorities of each municipality may provide for the cutting of weeds or grass, the trimming of trees or bushes, and the removal of nuisance bushes or trees in the municipality, when the owners of real estate refuse or neglect to cut, trim, or remove them and to collect from the owners of private property the reasonable cost thereof. This cost, including any associated fees and other costs related to the enforcement of this Section, is a lien upon the real estate affected, superior to all prior existing other liens and encumbrances, except tax liens; provided that within 60 days after such cost and expense is incurred the municipality, or person performing the service by authority of the municipality, in his or its own name, files notice of lien in the office of the recorder in the county in which such real estate is located or in the office of the Registrar of Titles of such county if the real estate affected is registered under the Torrens system. The notice shall consist of a sworn statement setting out (1) a description of the real estate sufficient for identification thereof, (2) the amount of money representing the cost and expense incurred or payable for the service, and (3) the date or dates when such cost and expense was incurred by the municipality. However, the lien of such municipality shall not be valid as to any purchaser whose rights in and to such real estate have arisen subsequent to the cutting of weeds or grass, the trimming of trees or bushes, or the removal of nuisance bushes or trees and prior to the filing of such notice, and the lien of such municipality shall not be valid as to any mortgagee, judgment creditor or other lienor whose rights in and to such real estate arise prior to the filing of such notice. Upon payment of the cost and expense by the owner of or persons interested in such property after notice of lien has been filed, the lien shall be released by the municipality or person in whose name the lien has been filed and the release may be filed of record as in the case of filing notice of lien.

The cost of the cutting, trimming, or removal of weeds, grass, trees, or bushes shall not be lien on the real estate affected unless a notice is personally served on, or sent by certified mail to, the person to whom was sent the tax bill for the general taxes on the property for the last preceding year. The notice shall be delivered or sent after the cutting, trimming, or removal of weeds, grass, trees, or bushes on the property. The notice shall state the substance of this Section and the substance of any ordinance of the municipality implementing this Section and shall identify the property, by common description, and the location of the weeds to be cut.

(Source: P.A. 95-183, eff. 8-14-07.)

(65 ILCS 5/11-20-13) (from Ch. 24, par. 11-20-13)

Sec. 11-20-13. Removal of garbage, debris, and graffiti. The corporate authorities of each municipality may provide for the removal of garbage, debris, and graffiti from private property when the owner of such property, after reasonable notice, refuses or neglects to remove such garbage, debris, and graffiti and may collect from such owner the reasonable cost thereof except in the case of graffiti. This cost, including any associated fees and other costs related to the enforcement of this Section, is a lien upon the real estate affected, superior to all prior existing subsequent liens and encumbrances, except tax liens, if within 60 days after such cost and expense is incurred the municipality, or person performing the service by authority of the municipality, in his or its own name, files notice of lien in the office of the recorder in the county in which such real estate is located or in the office of the Registrar of Titles of such county if the real estate affected is registered under "An Act concerning land titles", approved May 1, 1897, as amended. The notice shall consist of a sworn statement setting out (1) a description of the real estate sufficient for identification thereof, (2) the amount of money representing the cost and expense incurred or payable for the service, and (3) the date or dates when such cost and expense was incurred by the municipality. However, the lien of such municipality shall not be valid as to any purchaser whose rights in and to such real estate have arisen subsequent to removal of the garbage and debris and prior to the filing of such notice, and the lien of such municipality shall not be valid as to any mortgagee, judgment creditor or other lienor whose rights in and to such real estate arise prior to the filing of such notice. Upon payment of the cost and expense by the owner of or persons interested in such property after notice of lien has been filed, the lien shall be released by the municipality or person in whose name the lien has been filed and the release may be filed of record as in the case of filing notice of lien. The lien may be enforced by proceedings to foreclose as in case of mortgages or mechanics' liens. An action to foreclose this lien shall be commenced within 2 years after the date of filing notice of lien.

This amendatory Act of 1973 does not apply to any municipality which is a home rule unit.

(Source: P.A. 90-292, eff. 1-1-98.)

(65 ILCS 5/11-20-15 new)

Sec. 11-20-15. Vacant and abandoned property ordinances. For the purposes of minimizing the hazards to persons and property resulting from vacant and abandoned property, the corporate authority of each municipality may prescribe rules, regulations, or ordinances for the maintenance of vacant and abandoned property. The corporate authorities of a municipality may impose registration fees for vacant and abandoned property and fines for failure to comply with the rules, regulations, or ordinances enacted pursuant to this Section.

(65 ILCS 5/11-20-16 new)

Sec. 11-20-16. Mortgage beneficiary responsibility. Municipalities may hold responsible for any failure to comply with rules, regulations, or ordinances for the maintenance of vacant and abandoned property (i) any beneficiary or trustee, who holds a deed of trust on a neglected property located within the municipality, or (ii) any mortgagee who holds a mortgage on a neglected property located within the municipality, and has filed a notice of default under Section 15-1503 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

If a beneficiary or trustee, who holds a deed of trust on a neglected property, or a mortgagee who holds a mortgage on a neglected property, is held responsible for any failure to comply with municipal law, that beneficiary, trustee, or mortgagee may enter the property, after proper notice, to remedy any violation of the rules, regulations, or ordinances for the maintenance of vacant and abandoned property. The beneficiary, trustee, or mortgagee may enter the property only if, 15 days after the beneficiary, trustee, or mortgagee sent proper notice, the property owners and occupants have failed to comply with the rules, regulations, or ordinances at issue.

For the purpose of this Section, "neglected" means that there has been no occupant in the property for a period of 6 months and 2 or more of the following criteria have been met:

(a) Construction was initiated on the property and was discontinued prior to completion, leaving the building unsuitable for occupancy, and no construction has taken place for at least 6 months.

(b) At least one installment of property tax is unpaid and delinquent.

(c) The property has had more than one uncorrected municipal code violation over the past year.

(d) Gas, electric, or water service to the premises has been terminated.

(e) Windows or entrances to the premises are boarded up or closed off, or multiple window panes are broken and unrepaired.

(f) Doors to the premises are smashed through, broken off, unhinged, or continuously unlocked.

(g) Rubbish, trash, or debris has accumulated on the premises.

(h) The police or sheriff's office has received at least 2 reports of trespassers on the premises, or of vandalism or other illegal acts being committed on the premises in the past 6 months.

(i) The property is a nuisance.

For the purpose of this Section, "mortgagee" means (i) the holder of an indebtedness, obligee of a non-monetary obligation secured by a mortgage, or any person designated or authorized to act on behalf of such holder and (ii) any person claiming through a mortgagee as successor.

For the purpose of this Section, "proper notice" means notice to all property owners and occupants by certified or registered mail stating the intent of the beneficiary, trustee, or mortgagee to enter the property; the notice must be sent at least 15 days before the beneficiary, trustee, or mortgagee enters the property. The notice shall also be posted on all entrances to the property at least 15 days before the beneficiary, trustee, or mortgagee enters the property. The beneficiary, trustee, or mortgagee shall make a diligent injury to determine the identities and addresses of all occupants of the property. The notice shall include the name, address, and phone number of the individual or entity whom the owner or occupant may contact to inform that the property is not neglected. The notice must specify the municipal law violations the beneficiary, trustee, or mortgagee has been held responsible for by a municipality.

For the purpose of this Section, "occupant" means a person in lawful physical possession of all or part of the mortgaged real estate.

For the purpose of this Section, "nuisance" means any property that because of its physical condition or use is a public nuisance, or any property that constitutes a blight on the surrounding area, or any property that is not fit for human habitation under the applicable fire, building, and housing codes. "Nuisance" also means any property on which any illegal activity involving controlled substances, methamphetamine, or cannabis takes place or any property on which any streetgang-related activity takes place.

(65 ILCS 5/11-20-17 new)

Sec. 11-20-17. Care for vacant and abandoned buildings. The corporate authorities of each municipality may (i) provide for property maintenance required to correct violations of municipal vacant and abandoned property rules, regulations, and ordinances that would fall within those rules, regulations, and ordinances contemplated by Section 11-20-15, when the owners of real estate refuse or neglect to correct such violations and (ii) collect from the owners of private property the reasonable cost thereof. This cost, including any associated fees and other costs related to the enforcement of this Section, is a lien upon the real estate affected, superior to all prior existing liens and encumbrances, except tax liens; provided that within 60 days after such cost and expense is incurred the municipality, or person performing the service by authority of the municipality, in that person's own name, file notice of lien in the office of the recorder in the county in which the real estate is located or in the office of the Registrar of Titles of the county if the real estate affected is registered under the Torrens system. The notice shall consist of a sworn statement setting out (i) a description of the real estate sufficient for identification thereof, (ii) the amount of money representing the cost and expense incurred or payable for the service, and (iii) the date or dates when the cost and expense was incurred by the municipality. However, the lien of the municipality shall not be valid as to any purchaser whose rights in and to the real estate have arisen subsequent to the property maintenance and prior to the filing of such notice. Upon payment of the cost and expense by the owner of or persons interested in the property after notice of lien has been filed, the lien shall be released by the municipality or person in whose name the lien has been filed and the release may be filed of record as in the case of filing notice of lien. The lien may be enforced by proceedings to foreclose as in case of mortgages or mechanics' liens. An action to foreclose this lien shall be commenced within 2 years after the date of filing notice of lien.

(65 ILCS 5/11-31.1-12) (from Ch. 24, par. 11-31.1-12)

Sec. 11-31.1-12. Sanctions applicable to owner - Property. The order to correct a code violation and the sanctions imposed by a municipality as the result of a finding of a code violation under this Division shall attach to the property as well as to the owner of the property, so that a finding of a code violation against one owner cannot be avoided by conveying or transferring the property to another owner. Any subsequent transferee or owner of property takes subject to a civil fine and the findings, decision and order of a hearing officer under this Division.

(Source: Laws 1967, p. 1905.)

Section 75. The Code of Civil Procedure is amended by changing Sections 15-1508 and 15-1509 and by adding Section 15-1503.5 as follows:

(735 ILCS 5/15-1503.5 new)

Sec. 15-1503.5. Notice of foreclosure to municipalities and townships; servicer duties.

(a) Notice of foreclosure shall be provided to the municipality within the boundaries of which the property is located or to the township assessor if the property is located within an unincorporated territory. All notices must be sent by registered or certified mail. The municipality or township shall not be joined as a party unless the municipality or township is joined as a party under other provisions of this Section.

When notice of foreclosure is sent to a municipality or township, it shall include (i) the names of all plaintiffs and the case number, (ii) the court in which the action was brought, (iii) the names of title holders of record, (iv) a legal description of the real estate sufficient to identify it with reasonable certainty, (v) a common address or description of the location of the real estate, (vi) identification of the mortgage sought to be foreclosed, (vii) the name, address, and phone number of the servicer, servicer's agent, or servicer's representative, and (viii) the property index number of the property. The notice must be sent within 10 days after the filing of a notice of foreclosure under Section 15-1503 with the county in which the mortgaged real estate is located.

If, before a foreclosure sale is completed, there is a change in any of the relevant required information, such as name, phone number, agent, or local representative, then new notice must be sent to the municipality or township informing the municipality or township of the change. The notice must be sent within 30 days of the change.

(b) Servicers have the following duties in replying to municipal or township inquiries:

(1) In general. If any servicer of a loan receives a qualified written request from a municipality or township for information relating to the maintenance of the property covered by the loan, the servicer shall provide a written response acknowledging the receipt of the correspondence within 20 days (excluding public holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays) unless the action requested is taken within that period.

(2) Qualified written request. For the purposes of this subsection, a qualified written request shall be a written correspondence that includes, or otherwise enables the servicer to identify, the name and account of the borrower.

(3) Action with respect to inquiry. Not later than 60 days (excluding legal public holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays) after the receipt from any municipality or township of any qualified written request the servicer shall provide the information requested.

Any person, partnership, association, corporation, or other entity that violates any provision of this subsection commits a business offense and shall be fined an amount not to exceed $25,000 by the Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate or a person authorized by the Commissioner, the Office of Banks and Real Estate Act, or this Act to act in the Commissioner's stead.

(c) For the purposes of this Section, the term "servicer" means the person responsible for servicing of a loan. The term includes the person who makes or holds a loan if that person also services the loan.

For the purposes of this Section, the term "servicing" means the collection or remittance or the right or obligation to collect or remit for any lender, noteowner, noteholder, or for a licensee's own account, of payments, interest, principal, and trust items such as hazard insurance and taxes on a residential mortgage loan in accordance with the terms of the residential mortgage loan; and includes loan payment follow-up, delinquency loan follow-up, loan analysis, and any notifications to the borrower that are necessary to enable the borrower to keep the loan current and in good standing.

(735 ILCS 5/15-1508) (from Ch. 110, par. 15-1508)

Sec. 15-1508. Report of Sale and Confirmation of Sale.

(a) Report.

(1) The person conducting the sale shall promptly make a report to the court, which report shall include a copy of all receipts and, if any, certificate of sale.

(2) The person conducting the sale shall promptly make a report to the municipality or the township if the property is located in an unincorporated territory, which report shall include the name of the party purchasing the property if the property is sold, or the name of the resulting property-holding entity if there is no sale. Such a report must be sent by registered or certified mail within 30 days after the sale proceeding.

(b) Hearing. Upon motion and notice in accordance with court rules applicable to motions generally, which motion shall not be made prior to sale, the court shall conduct a hearing to confirm the sale. Unless the court finds that (i) a notice required in accordance with subsection (c) of Section 15-1507 was not given, (ii) the terms of sale were unconscionable, (iii) the sale was conducted fraudulently or (iv) that justice was otherwise not done, the court shall then enter an order confirming the sale. The confirmation order may also:

(1) approve the mortgagee's fees and costs arising between the entry of the judgment of foreclosure and the confirmation hearing, those costs and fees to be allowable to the same extent as provided in the note and mortgage and in Section 15-1504;

(2) provide for a personal judgment against any party for a deficiency; and

(3) determine the priority of the judgments of parties who deferred proving the priority pursuant to subsection (h) of Section 15-1506, but the court shall not defer confirming the sale pending the determination of such priority.

(b-5) Notice with respect to residential real estate. With respect to residential real estate, the notice required under subsection (b) of this Section shall be sent to the mortgagor even if the mortgagor has previously been held in default. In the event the mortgagor has filed an appearance, the notice shall be sent to the address indicated on the appearance. In all other cases, the notice shall be sent to the mortgagor at the common address of the foreclosed property. The notice shall be sent by first class mail. Unless the right to possession has been previously terminated by the court, the notice shall include the following language in 12-point boldface capitalized type:

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO

REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF

POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(c) OF THE

ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

(c) Failure to Give Notice. If any sale is held without compliance with subsection (c) of Section 15-1507 of this Article, any party entitled to the notice provided for in paragraph (3) of that subsection (c) who was not so notified may, by motion supported by affidavit made prior to confirmation of such sale, ask the court which entered the judgment to set aside the sale, provided that such party shall guarantee or secure by bond a bid equal to the successful bid at the prior sale. Any subsequent sale is subject to the same notice requirement as the original sale.

(d) Validity of Sale. Except as provided in subsection (c) of Section 15-1508, no sale under this Article shall be held invalid or be set aside because of any defect in the notice thereof or in the publication of the same, or in the proceedings of the officer conducting the sale, except upon good cause shown in a hearing pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 15-1508. At any time after a sale has occurred, any party entitled to notice under paragraph (3) of subsection (c) of Section 15-1507 may recover from the mortgagee any damages caused by the mortgagee's failure to comply with such paragraph (3). Any party who recovers damages in a judicial proceeding brought under this subsection may also recover from the mortgagee the reasonable expenses of litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees.

(e) Deficiency Judgment. In any order confirming a sale pursuant to the judgment of foreclosure, the court shall also enter a personal judgment for deficiency against any party (i) if otherwise authorized and (ii) to the extent requested in the complaint and proven upon presentation of the report of sale in accordance with Section 15-1508. Except as otherwise provided in this Article, a judgment may be entered for any balance of money that may be found due to the plaintiff, over and above the proceeds of the sale or sales, and enforcement may be had for the collection of such balance, the same as when the judgment is solely for the payment of money. Such judgment may be entered, or enforcement had, only in cases where personal service has been had upon the persons personally liable for the mortgage indebtedness, unless they have entered their appearance in the foreclosure action.

(f) Satisfaction. Upon confirmation of the sale, the judgment stands satisfied to the extent of the sale price less expenses and costs. If the order confirming the sale includes a deficiency judgment, the judgment shall become a lien in the manner of any other judgment for the payment of money.

(g) The order confirming the sale shall include, notwithstanding any previous orders awarding possession during the pendency of the foreclosure, an award to the purchaser of possession of the mortgaged real estate, as of the date 30 days after the entry of the order, against the parties to the foreclosure whose interests have been terminated.

An order of possession authorizing the removal of a person from possession of the mortgaged real estate shall be entered and enforced only against those persons personally named as individuals in the complaint or the petition under subsection (h) of Section 15-1701 and in the order of possession and shall not be entered and enforced against any person who is only generically described as an unknown owner or nonrecord claimant or by another generic designation in the complaint.

Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, the failure to personally name, include, or seek an award of possession of the mortgaged real estate against a person in the confirmation order shall not abrogate any right that the purchaser may have to possession of the mortgaged real estate and to maintain a proceeding against that person for possession under Article 9 of this Code or subsection (h) of Section 15-1701; and possession against a person who (1) has not been personally named as a party to the foreclosure and (2) has not been provided an opportunity to be heard in the foreclosure proceeding may be sought only by maintaining a proceeding under Article 9 of this Code or subsection (h) of Section 15-1701.

(Source: P.A. 95-826, eff. 8-14-08.)

(735 ILCS 5/15-1509) (from Ch. 110, par. 15-1509)

Sec. 15-1509. Transfer of Title and Title Acquired.

(a) Deed. After (i) confirmation of the sale, and (ii) payment of the purchase price and any other amounts required to be paid by the purchaser at sale, the court (or, if the court shall so order, the person who conducted the sale or such person's successor or some persons specifically appointed by the court for that purpose), shall upon the request of the holder of the certificate of sale (or the purchaser if no certificate of sale was issued), promptly execute a deed to the holder or purchaser sufficient to convey title. Such deed shall identify the court and the caption of the case in which judgment was entered authorizing issuance of the deed. Signature and the recital in the deed of the title or authority of the person signing the deed as grantor, of authority pursuant to the judgment and of the giving of the notices required by this Article is sufficient proof of the facts recited and of such authority to execute the deed, but such deed shall not be construed to contain any covenant on the part of the person executing it. If the deed issues to a grantee prior to the expiration of the period for appealing the confirmation of sale, and the grantee conveys title to another party within that period, that other party will not be deemed a bona fide purchaser unless and until such period expires without an appeal having been filed or, an appeal having been filed, such appeal is denied or withdrawn.

If a mortgagee, mortgage beneficiary, or trustee receives title to real estate under this Section, the mortgagee, mortgage beneficiary, or trustee shall provide notice to the municipality within the boundary of which the property is located, or, if the property is located in an unincorporated territory, notice to the township assessor. Notice shall include the name, address, and phone number of a person responsible for maintaining the real estate. Notice must be sent by registered or certified mail. The notice must be sent within 10 days after the grantee receives title under this Section. If there is a change in any of the information required under this Section, then new notice must be sent to the municipality or township informing the municipality or township of the change. The notice must be sent within 10 days of the change.

Any person, partnership, association, corporation, or other entity that violates any of the notice requirements set forth in this subsection commits a business offense and shall be fined an amount not to exceed $25,000 by the Commissioner of Banks and Real Estate or a person authorized by the Commissioner, the Office of Banks and Real Estate Act, or this Act to act in the Commissioner's stead.

(b) Effect Upon Delivery of Deed. Delivery of the deed executed on the sale of the real estate, even if the purchaser or holder of the certificate of sale is a party to the foreclosure, shall be sufficient to pass the title thereto.

(c) Claims Barred. Any vesting of title by a consent foreclosure pursuant to Section 15-1402 or by deed pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 15-1509, unless otherwise specified in the judgment of foreclosure, shall be an entire bar of (i) all claims of parties to the foreclosure and (ii) all claims of any nonrecord claimant who is given notice of the foreclosure in accordance with paragraph (2) of subsection (c) of Section 15-1502, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (g) of Section 2-1301 to the contrary. Any person seeking relief from any judgment or order entered in the foreclosure in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2-1301 of the Code of Civil Procedure may claim only an interest in the proceeds of sale.

(Source: P.A. 86-974.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.".