(A) Fines, sanctions and costs as debt. Any fine or other sanction or costs imposed, or any part of any fine, or other sanction or costs imposed, remaining unpaid after the exhaustion of or failure to exhaust procedures for judicial review under the Administrative Review Law (735 ILCS 5/3-101 et seq.) is a debt due and owed to the county and, as such may be collected in accordance with applicable law. Any subsequent owner or transferee of property takes subject to this debt if a notice has been filed pursuant to the foregoing § 39.13(B).
(B) Enforcement in Circuit Court. After expiration of the period within which judicial review under the Administrative Review Law (735 ILCS 5/3-101 et seq.) may be sought for a final determination of the code violation, the county may commence a proceeding in the Circuit Court for purposes of obtaining a judgment on the Hearing Officer’s findings, decision and order. The county may consolidate multiple findings, decisions and orders against a person or property in such a proceeding.
(C) Supporting documentation. Upon commencement of the action, the county shall file a certified copy of the findings, decision and order, which shall be accompanied by a certification that recites facts sufficient to show that the findings, decision and order were issued in accordance with Division 5-41 of the Counties Code (55 ILCS 5/5-41005 through 41060) and the applicable county ordinance.
(D) Service of summons and petition. Service of the summons and a copy of the complaint for judgment may be by any method provided by § 2-203 of the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2-203) or by certified mail, return receipt requested, provided that the total amount of fines or other sanctions and costs imposed by the findings, decision and order does not exceed $5,000.
(1993 Code, § 39.14) (Ord. 98-17, passed 11-18-1998; Ord. 2000-04, passed 3-15-2000)