SUBSTITUTE ORDINANCE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO:
SECTION 1. Section 13-12-126 of the Municipal Code of Chicago is hereby amended by inserting the language underscored, as follows:
13-12-126 Vacant buildings - Mortgagee required to act - Enforcement authority.
{Omitted text is unaffected by this ordinance)
(b) The mortgagee of any residential building that has become vacant and which is not registered pursuant to Section 13-12-125(a) of this Code shall, within the later of 30 days after the building becomes vacant and unregistered or 60 days after a default:
(1) secure the building's doors and windows so that all such building openings are closed and secured, using secure doors, windows without broken or cracked panes, commercial-quality metal security panels, filled with like-kind material as the surrounding wall, polycarbonate boarding, or boarded with plywood installed and secured in accordance with rules and regulations issued by the commissioner of buildings. At least one building entrance shall be accessible from the exterior and secured with a door that is locked to allow access only to authorized persons. If two or more exit doors exist, a minimum of two exit doors shall be available to exit from the interior of the building, with at least one exit door available per 150 linear feet of horizontal travel at ground-floor level;
(Omitted text is unaffected by this ordinance)
SECTION 2. Section 13-12-135 of the Municipal Code of Chicago is hereby amended by inserting the language underscored, as follows:
13-12-135 Minimum requirements for vacant buildings.
For purposes of this section the terms "vacant" and "'owner" shall be defined as provided in section 13-12-125. In addition to any other applicable code requirements each vacant building must be kept in compliance with the following requirements for as long as the building remains vacant:
{Omitted text is unaffected by this ordinance)
(d) Building security standards - The following standards apply to the securing of vacant buildings:
1
(1) all building openings shall be closed and secured, using secure doors, glazed windows, polycarbonate boarding or commercial-quality steel security panels, or filled with like-kind material as the surrounding wall, as applicable to prevent entry by unauthorized persons. Except as specifically authorized in this subsection (d), use of plywood is prohibited;
{Omitted text is unaffected by this ordinance)
(5) if a building has been vacant for six months or longer, or upon any renewal of the registration statement required in Section 13-12-125, the building owner must implement and provide proof satisfactory to the department of buildings that, in addition to complying with the security standards set forth elsewhere in this subsection (d), said building either: (i) contains all of the security features set forth in subparagraph (A), or (ii) is unviolated, as described in subparagraph (B):
(A) every opening larger than one (1) square foot in area that is located less than eight feet above the ground or that is accessible from ground level or within eight feet in any direction of an exterior stairway, fire escape, or other means of access shall be closed and secured with polycarbonate boarding or a commercial-quality, 14-gauge, rust-proof steel security panel or door:
{Omitted text is unaffected by this ordinance)
SECTION 3. This ordinance shall take full force and effect upon its passage and publication.
Alderman Edward M. Burke, 14th Ward