Bill > HB0006

This bill creates the Blight Mitigation Act, which allows a property owner living within one-fourth of a mile on the same street as an abandoned residential property to petition the court for ownership of that property after it has been continuously abandoned for 12 months. To successfully transfer title, the petitioner must provide clear and convincing evidence that: the property meets the legal definition of "abandoned" (which means it has been tax delinquent for 2 or more years and is unoccupied by legal residents), the property owner has been properly notified of the legal action, and the property is not currently listed for sale, in receivership, or under contract for sale. The bill aims to address urban blight by providing a legal mechanism for nearby property owners to acquire and potentially rehabilitate long-term abandoned properties, thus potentially improving neighborhood conditions and property values. The legislation offers a structured process for transferring ownership of neglected properties, with specific criteria designed to protect the rights of the original property owners while providing a solution for chronically abandoned real estate.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=6&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104