Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-020
Summary abatement (Chicago Health Nuisances Ordinance)
Operative Text
Whenever any nuisance under this Chapter 7-28 shall be found on any premises within the City, the Commissioner of Buildings or Chief Sustainability Officer or Commissioner of Streets and Sanitation or the Corporation Counsel is hereby authorized, in his or her discretion, to seek to enjoin such nuisance or to cause the same to be summarily abated in such manner as he or she may direct pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Code. (Prior code § 99-2; Amend Coun. J. 12-11-91, p. 10978; Amended Coun. J. 9-27-07, p. 9208, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 2-9-11, p. 112123, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-11, p. 13798, Art. II, § 6; Amend Coun. J. 12-20-25, p. 39283, Art. III, § 7)
Under Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-020, when a nuisance covered by Chapter 7-28 is found on any property within Chicago, designated city officials—including the Commissioner of Buildings, the Chief Sustainability Officer, the Commissioner of Streets and Sanitation, or the Corporation Counsel—have discretionary authority to seek a court injunction or to order the nuisance removed or corrected without prior notice. This power of 'summary abatement' means the city can act swiftly to eliminate conditions it deems a nuisance, directing the manner of abatement as those officials see fit. The provision does not require the city to obtain a court order before acting, though it preserves the option to pursue one.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers in Chicago should be aware that § 7-28-020 gives multiple city officials broad, discretionary authority to address nuisance conditions on private premises without necessarily providing advance notice or a hearing. Operators who maintain properties free of conditions that qualify as nuisances under Chapter 7-28—such as unsanitary accumulations or other code-defined hazards—are generally better positioned to avoid summary abatement actions. Keeping records of routine inspections, maintenance, and prompt remediation of reported issues reflects the kind of proactive compliance that aligns with the expectations underlying Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-020.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-28 § 7-28-020 authorizes city officials to act against nuisance conditions on residential premises, which can be relevant to tenants living in buildings where such conditions exist. If a tenant believes a nuisance covered by Chapter 7-28 is present in their building, they may have the option of reporting the condition to the appropriate city department, such as the Chicago Department of Housing or the Department of Buildings, to prompt an official inspection or abatement. Tenant-rights organizations in Chicago can help residents understand how summary abatement authority intersects with tenant protections and what avenues may be available when nuisance conditions affect habitability.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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