Prior to the opening of a complaint file on a condition of a public nuisance, a formal complaint must be filed with the County Code Administrator or the County Health Officer.
(A) In matters related to formal complaints of public nuisances, inspection assignments shall be made by the County Code Administrator or by the Health Officer.
(B) The County Board may demolish, repair or enclose or cause the demolition, repair or enclosure of dangerous and unsafe buildings or uncompleted and abandoned buildings with the territory of the county under the provisions of the Counties Code 55 ILCS 5/5-1121.
(C) In matters related to public nuisance complaints, all necessary steps shall be taken to adequately investigate and seek a mediated resolution of the situation whereby a reasonable period of time shall be provided to the respondent party to correct the violation of the regulation. If a condition of a public nuisance is found to exist, a reasonable period of time of not less than seven days, or more than 30 days shall be given to the respondent party to correct the violation of the regulation. The Code Administrator shall have the authority to grant modifications for individual cases, provided the modification does not lessen health, life and fire safety requirements. If, however, it is determined that the condition of nuisance constitutes an immediate and serious threat to the public health and safety of the population, the Code Administrator shall have the authority to issue an immediate abatement order.
(D) If a person notified to abate a nuisance condition shall neglect or refuse to comply with the requirements of a such a notice within the specified time, Code Administrator may, at his or her discretion, take the necessary action to abate the condition through filing of a fine and a report with the County State’s Attorney for the purpose of enforcement of this subchapter through the Circuit Court of the county. The cost of any abatement action shall be collected from the party creating the nuisance, or be added to the taxes on the property on which the nuisance condition is situated, as well as imposition of any penalty or fine per 55 ILCS 5/5-41055.
(E) If the owner or the individual responsible for the nuisance fails or neglects to pay the county abatement costs and fines, suit may be instituted against the owner or individual responsible in the name of the county and against the owner or individual responsible in any court of competent jurisdiction to recover the costs of abating the nuisance, together with the costs of such suit.
(Ord. passed 12-12-2017)