Chicago Heights — Ch. 22 Housing, Dangerous Buildings and Structures § 22-51
Report by director of commercial and housing code enforcement
Operative Text
It shall be the responsibility of the director of commercial and housing code enforcement to report to the mayor the locations of all parcels of real estate located within the city improved with a single-to four-unit dwelling where: (1) The premises are unoccupied for a period in excess of thirty (30) days and are in a serious state of disrepair; (2) Foreclosure has occurred and the property is available for purchase; (3) Serious violations of this Code exist; or (4) The premises are unoccupied and there is evidence that illegal entry or vandalism has occurred or is likely to occur.
Under Chicago Heights Ch. 22, § 22-51, the Director of Commercial and Housing Code Enforcement is required to compile and deliver to the mayor a report identifying specific residential properties—those with one to four dwelling units—that meet at least one of four conditions: prolonged vacancy combined with serious disrepair, completed foreclosure with the property on the market, serious code violations, or vacancy with signs of illegal entry or vandalism. The provision creates an internal governmental reporting obligation rather than a direct duty on property owners or tenants. Its purpose is to give city leadership visibility into distressed residential properties within Chicago Heights.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Owners of one-to-four-unit residential properties in Chicago Heights should be aware that § 22-51 establishes a formal channel through which the Director of Commercial and Housing Code Enforcement flags distressed or vacant properties directly to the mayor. Properties that sit vacant for more than 30 days in disrepair, carry serious code violations, or show evidence of unauthorized entry are among those that may be reported under this provision. Compliant operators generally keep properties maintained, secured, and free of unresolved code violations to avoid falling into the categories enumerated in § 22-51.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 22-51 of the Chicago Heights Housing Code reflects the city's commitment to monitoring distressed residential properties, which can affect the habitability and safety of occupied units nearby or within the same building. Tenants who observe conditions such as serious disrepair, evidence of vandalism, or unresolved code violations at their residence or neighboring properties may find it useful to know that such conditions are subject to reporting under § 22-51. Tenants can contact the Director of Commercial and Housing Code Enforcement or a local tenant-rights organization to understand how this reporting mechanism intersects with any habitability concerns they may have.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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