A. In addition to other remedies provided by this code, the mayor and city council may authorize the attorney for the city to apply to the circuit court of Cook County for an order authorizing the demolition or repair of a "dangerous building" or "abandoned building" as defined herein, if the owners thereof, including the lienholders of record after at least fifteen (15) days' written notice by mail so to do, have failed to put such building in a satisfactory condition or to demolish it. It is not a defense to such cause of action that the building is boarded up or otherwise enclosed. Where, upon diligent search, the identity or whereabouts of the owner of any such building, including the lienholder of record, is not ascertainable, notice mailed to the person in whose name such real estate was last assessed is sufficient notice under this section.
B. The cost of such demolition or repair incurred by the city or by a lienholder of record is recoverable from the owner of such real estate and is a lien thereof, which lien is superior to all prior existing liens and encumbrances, except taxes; provided that, within sixty (60) days after such repair or demolition, the city or the lienholder of record who incurred such cost and expense shall file notice of lien of such cost and expense incurred in the office of the recorder of deeds in the county in which the real estate is located or in the office of the registrar of titles of such county if the real estate affected is registered under the torrens system. The notice must consist of a sworn statement setting out: 1) a description of the real estate sufficient for identification thereof, 2) the amount of money representing the cost and expense incurred, and 3) the date or dates when the cost and expense was incurred by the city or by the lienholder of record.
C. Upon payment of the cost and expense by the owner of or persons interested in the property after notice of lien has been filed, the lien shall be released by the city or person in whose name the lien has been filed and the release may be filed of record as in the case of filing notice of lien. The lien may be enforced by proceedings to foreclose as in the case of mortgages or mechanic's liens. Suit to foreclose this lien must be commenced within three (3) years after the date of filing notice of lien. (1970 Code §9-5.05)