Cook County Vacant Building Ordinance
December 15, 2011

The Cook County Vacant Building Ordinance will require owners or mortgagees to register the property, pay a one-time $250 registration fee and report each year about the status of the property. In addition, owners and mortgagees will be required  to comply with  maintenance, enclosure, and security standards set out in the ordinance for the buildings  as long as they are vacant. Fines will be assessed in cases of non-compliance. Municipalities that opt-in will also be able to use Cook County Administrative Hearings for vacant building violations, avoiding costly and lengthy cases in the County's Courts. Finally, Cook County will be working with municipalities to create a master registry of vacant buildings throughout the County.

We have received enormous support from cities and towns throughout Cook County, housing policy experts, realtors and the banks in drafting this ordinance. Vacant buildings pose risks to the safety of neighbors and the stability of communities and the County and local communities pay through increased costs for public safety and city services and a compromised tax base. Using taxpayer dollars to address these buildings is not efficient or sustainable; this is the first step towards getting our local housing market out of its downward spiral.

If you are a suburban community official who is interested in the ordinance, please email or call my office to set up a meeting. 

Have Questions? Feel free to call me at the office at (312) 603-4210 or email me at Info@BridgetGainer.com