SUBSTITUTE ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, The City of Chicago is a home rule unit of government pursuant to the 1970 Illinois Constitution, Article VII, Section 6(a); and
WHEREAS, Pursuant to its home rule power, the City of Chicago may exercise any power and perform any function relating to its government and affairs, including the power to regulate for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, Chicago has responded to the foreclosure crisis by requiring mortgagees to register, secure and maintain certain vacant residential buildings which have not been registered by an owner; and
WHEREAS, Numerous cities across the country have responded to the foreclosure crisis by implementing abandoned property registration programs; and
WHEREAS, Properties in default can quickly become vacant and abandoned, which negatively affects the quality of life in Chicago's neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, It is difficult to identify and contact mortgagees of properties in default;
and
WHEREAS, The City ofChicago intends to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its ordinance requiring mortgagees to register, secure and maintain certain buildings; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO:
SECTION 1. The above recitals are expressly incorporated herein and made part hereof as though fully set forth herein.
SECTION 2. Chapter 13-12 of the Municipal Code ofChicago is hereby amended by deleting the language stricken through and inserting the language underscored, as follows:
13-12-126 Vacant buildings - Mortgagee required to act - Enforcement authority.
(a) (1) The mortgagee of any residential building that has become vacant and which is not registered pursuant to this section or Section 13-12-125(a) of this Code shall, within the later of: (A) 30 days after the building becomes vacant and unregistered or 60 (B) 10 days after a default, file a registration statement with the department of buildings on forms provided by t...
Click here for full text