103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB0009
 
Introduced 1/12/2023, by Rep. La Shawn K. Ford
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 

 
New Act

     Creates the Blight Mitigation Act. Provides that a property owner that lives within one-fourth of a mile of and on the same street as residential real property that has been abandoned may, after the property has been continuously abandoned for 12 months, petition the court for title to the land. Provides that the court shall order that title to the real property be transferred to the petitioner if the petitioner presents clear and convincing evidence that: (1) the property is abandoned; (2) the owner of the property has been made a party to the action in accordance with the Code of Civil Procedure and court rules; and (3) the property is not: listed for sale on a multiple listing service; being maintained in receivership status; or under contract for sale.


LRB103 03487 LNS 48493 b

 
 
A BILL FOR
 

  
HB0009LRB103 03487 LNS 48493 b


  
1    AN ACT concerning local government.
  
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
3represented in the General Assembly:
  
 
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Blight 
5Mitigation Act.
 
6    Section 5. Right of possession.
7    (a) A property owner that lives within one-fourth of a 
8mile of and on the same street as residential real property 
9that has been abandoned may, after the property has been 
10continuously abandoned for 12 months, petition the court for 
11title to the land.
12    (b) The court shall order that title to the real property 
13be transferred to the petitioner if the petitioner presents 
14clear and convincing evidence that:
15        (1) the property is abandoned;
16        (2) the owner of the property has been made a party to 
17    the action in accordance with the Code of Civil Procedure 
18    and court rules; and
19        (3) the property is not:
20                (i) listed for sale on a multiple listing 
21        service;
22                (ii) being maintained in receivership status; 
23        or
 
 
HB0009- 2 -LRB103 03487 LNS 48493 b

1                (iii) under contract for sale.
2    (c) As used in this Act, "abandoned" means:
3        (1) the property has been tax delinquent for 2 or

more 
4    years; and
5        (2) the property is unoccupied by persons legally

in 
6    possession.