(A) It is hereby declared a menace to the public safety and a nuisance for any person to cause or permit the existence of any unsafe, dilapidated or otherwise insecure building, wall, stack, chimney, cornice, sign, awning or other like structure of any kind which, from manner of construction, age, condition or other circumstances, is or may become a menace to the safety of persons or property.
(B) The term
UNSAFE BUILDING as used herein is hereby defined to mean and include:
(1) Any building, shed, fence or other human-made structure which is dangerous to the public health because of its construction or conditions, or which may cause or aid in the spread of disease or cause injury to the health of the occupants of it or of neighboring structures;
(2) Any building, shed, fence or other human-made structure which, because of faulty construction, age, lack of proper repair or any other cause, is especially liable to fire, and constitutes or creates a fire hazard;
(3) Any building, shed, fence or other human-made structure which, by reason of faulty construction, age, lack of proper repair or any other cause is liable to cause injury or damage by collapsing or by a collapse or fall of any part of such a structure; and
(4) Any building, shed, fence or other human-made structure which, because of its condition or because of lack of doors or windows is available to and frequented by malefactors or disorderly persons who are not lawful occupants of such structure.
(C) If any building shall be found in a dangerous and unsafe condition, the Mayor or any official or employee designated by the City Council shall notify in writing the owner or owners thereof, directing said owner or owners to put such building in a safe condition or to demolish it. Where, upon diligent search, the identity or whereabouts of the owner or owners of any such building shall not be ascertainable, such notice shall be mailed to the person or persons in whose name such real estate was last assessed.
(D) If, after 15 days subsequent to the giving of such notice, said owner or owners fail to put such building in a safe condition or to demolish it, the Mayor or any official or employee designated by the City Council shall so notify the City Council requesting the Council to direct the City Attorney to apply on behalf of the city to the Circuit Court of the county for an order authorizing the city to demolish or repair, or to cause the demolition or repair of said building.
(E) The cost of such demolition or repair shall be recoverable from the owner or owners of such real estate, and shall be a lien thereon as provided in 65 ILCS 5/11-31-1.
(1974 Code, § 5-5-2.4)