ORDINANCE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO:
SECTION 1. The Municipal Code of the City of Chicago is hereby amended by adding, in proper numerical sequence, a new Chapter 13-14, as follows:
13-14-010 Legislative findings.
After due investigation and consideration, the City Council finds as follows:
During the years 2008 through 2013, a total of 55,278 foreclosure actions were filed involving single-family homes in the City of Chicago, not counting condominium units and cooperative apartment units.
The initiation of foreclosure proceedings affects the owners and residents of the affected property, because ofthe risks of economic loss and dislocation, disruption of their lives, and the stress related to these problems.
Foreclosure proceedings and their aftermath also affect owners and residents of properties near the foreclosed home: in many instances a home in foreclosure is left unoccupied, and the property left unattended, circumstances that can lead to neighborhood blight and even criminal activity, causing anxiety among neighbors and reducing their property values.
Although many mortgagees act responsibly in every stage of foreclosure, there have been instances where a mortgagee that takes possession of a single-family home avoids spending money to maintain and preserve the building and yards, and does the bare minimum to avoid prosecution for the neglect of the property.
Some mortgagees that have taken possession of a single-family home ignore the property to the extent that uninvited, illegal occupants take up "residence" in the home, even if the building lacks utility service.
Such illegal occupancy of a home often leads to vandalism and further deterioration of the property, and is sometimes accompanied by other illegal activity, all of which affects the quality of life of innocent neighbors and can have an adverse effect on the value of nearby properties.
Some mortgagees, when notified of illegal occupancy of a home in the mo...
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