Title
A Resolution Authorizing the Initiation of Building Code Litigation - 15151 Harlem Avenue
History
The property at 15151 Harlem Avenue, known as the Prairie House, has fallen into disrepair. Upon recent inspection, it has been determined that the property has been tax delinquent for 2 or more years or bills for water service for the property have been outstanding for 2 or more years. The property is unoccupied by persons legally in possession and the property’s condition impairs the public health, safety, or welfare for the following reasons:
-The property is littered with garbage and debris in violation of 6-2-2-4(4) of the Village Code.
-The property has extensive grass and weeds in violation of Section 6-2-2-7(2) of the Village Code.
-There is an unsanitary building on the property in violation of 6-6-2-3(6) of the Village Code.
-There is a dangerous building on the property in violation of 6-6-2-3(8) of the Village Code.
-The aforementioned building is an unsafe structure in danger of collapse in violation of Section 1-108.1.1 of the International Property Maintenance Code.
-There are vacant structures located on the property, and they are not being maintained in a clean, safe, secure, and sanitary condition in violation Section 3-01.3 of the International Property Maintenance Code.
These violations were documented and confirmed by the Village’s Code Enforcement Officers. This item is requesting that the Village Board authorize pursuing litigation in the Circuit Court of Cook County to have the property declared abandoned and compel the correction of the existing violations.
Pursuant to 65 ILCS 5/11-31-1(d) an abandonment complaint is allowed where the property taxes or water bill has been unpaid for two or more years. According to the title report except for the 2019 and 2020 first installments property taxes have not been paid since 2014.
Abandonment is significantly quicker than going through the code violation process. Assuming no one appears to contest that the property is abandoned, the judge hearing the case will enter an order declaring the property to be abandoned.
Once that order is entered, a notice is sent to any interested parties stating that they do not intend to abandon the property. If no one responds to the notice, the judge will issue a judicial deed to the Village. The effect of the deed is to wipe out any back taxes or other liens affecting the property.
The Village would then acquire the property. This would give the Village the ability to correct the violations, which could include demolition of the unsafe structure. The Village could then sell the property to recoup the money spent correcting the violations and or demolition.
This item is now before the Committee of the Whole for consideration
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to recommend to the Village Board to adopt a Resolution entitled: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE INITIATION OF BUILDING CODE LITIGATION WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 15151 SOUTH HARLEM AVENUE, ORLAND PARK, ILLINOIS