Slum Nuisance Abatement Ordinance for City of Chicago
(Municipal Code of Chicago 13-12-145)

The City of Chicago has passed an amended Slum Nuisance Abatement Ordinance, Effective December 2005, which directly impacts homeowner and mortgagees alike.  The new Ordinance broadens the definition of a public nuisance; includes a fine provision for owners, agents, property managers, lenders and leinholders; and holds lenders liable for failure to correct code violations.
 
A property is considered a public nuisance if any one of the following applies:

• When there is an order to secure a property and the property remains vacant and open.
• When the property has health or safety violations.
• When the cost to repair the property to code exceeds the market value of the property or the owner cannot show that it has readily available funds.
• Where there is failure to comply within 60 days of a court order with respect to the property.
   
  When a property is inspected by the City and designated a public nuisance the city may initiate an abatement proceeding.  When an order of abatement is issued and no action is taken the City may do one of the following:
• Assess a fine not less then $200 and no greater than $1000 per day until the nuisance is abated.
• hire a property manager or appoint a receiver.
• File for an order of forfeiture, assignment or permission to repair or demolish.

Note: The City can assign the property to the lender, however if the lender does not comply, the lender will be directly liable for violations and fines.  The lender has the option of  releasing its lien on the property so that it can be transferred to the City.

To view a summary of the ordinance received from the City of Chicago's Law Dept. please click on the following file:

 City of Chicago Nuisance Abatement Ordinance.pdf

To view the full ordinance pleasde click on the following link:

City of Chicago Nuisance Abatement Ordinance