Evanston, Illinois adopted an ordinance addressing the securing and rehabilitation of vacant structures (City of Evanston, 2010). Upon registration as a vacant property, owners are required to submit a vacant property plan which must be executed within 6 months of registration. The vacant property plan must include a date by which all repairs or demolition will be completed and repairs must bring the building up to code with all health, fire and safety laws. The vacant property registration and structure will remain with the building even in the event of ownership change. Owners who do not comply with registration or maintenance of vacant properties are not eligible to receive real estate transfer tax stamps (required for the sale of property) and will have their unpaid fees converted to a lien on the property.
Danville, Illinois
Under Chapter 169: Vacant Buildings, the City of Danville, Illinois requires that owners secure a surety bond in an amount sufficient to demolish the building and maintain the bond until the building is no longer vacant (City of Danville, 2008). The City of Danville employs steep financial penalties for non-compliance or structures that create a public safety hazard, with language excerpted below:
“Any person found guilty of violating any provision of this Chapter shall be fined not less than $250 nor more than $2,500 for each offense. Each day a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense. In addition to any fine imposed under this chapter, the offender shall be ordered to pay all of the costs and fees incurred by the City in prosecuting the violation, which shall include but not be limited to the costs associated with an administrative adjudication proceeding or circuit court proceeding, and reasonable attorney's fees.”