A. Whenever wastewater treatment bills become delinquent, the same shall become and constitute a lien upon the real estate to which sewer service is supplied pursuant to the terms and provisions of ILCS Ch. 65, Act 5, § 11-139-8. Statements rendered for such charge shall be deemed notice to all parties, whether or not the person charged with the statement is the owner of the property served. The claim for lien shall be made in the form of a sworn statement setting out (1) a description of the real estate, sufficient for the identification thereof, upon or for which the sewage service was supplied, (2) the amount or amounts of money due for such sewage service, and (3) the date or dates when such amount or amounts became delinquent. If all amounts shown due remain unpaid after recording as provided by law, the city may foreclose such lien in like manner and with like effect as in the foreclosure of mortgages on real estate. In the alternative, the city may, in its discretion, file suit to collect such amounts as are delinquent and due against the occupant or user of the real estate in a civil action, and shall collect, as well, all attorney's fees incurred by it, the same to be fixed by order of the court In addition to penalties and costs attributable and chargeable to the recording of such notices of lien, user and owner shall be liable for interest upon all unpaid balances after delinquency remaining from time to time unpaid at the rate of six percent per year.
B. In all cases where the sewer service charge has become delinquent and the city elects to tile a statement thereof in the office of recorder of deeds as hereinabove set forth, there shall be added in addition to the amount due the city such charges and expenses as are necessary and required to verify the legal description of the property to which the lien is to attach, plus a sum established by the city council as sufficient to cover the cost of preparation of such notices and forms required. In each instance, the superintendent or a duly appointed employee of the city shall be authorized and directed to include such additional costs in the amount claimed due the city in the notice of lien.
C. The city reserves the right to revoke discharge permits and disconnect service to any user whenever wastewater treatment bills or industrial cost recovery bills become delinquent
D. All amounts charged under this section are due and shall continue to be due hereunder, whether or not said sewer is disconnected, and no sewer shall be reconnected until the city is paid in full for all amounts due it and in addition, there shall be paid the city a deposit equal to the estimated charge for the next succeeding year. Such deposit shall be held by the city in escrow, and will be returned upon satisfactory payment of bills for a period of two years.
(Ord. 93-24 Art. I (part), 1992; Ord. 87-27 § 1, 1987; Ord. 80-19 Art. V § 1, 1979)