Chicago, Ill., Mun. Code ch. 7-4 § 7-4-140
Emergency measures (Chicago Lead-Bearing Substances Ordinance)
Operative Text
When the commissioner finds that because of a violation of this chapter, an emergency condition exists requiring immediate action to protect the health of any person, or when the commissioner makes any determination under Section 7-4-100 (b), the commissioner may issue an emergency order reciting the existence of the emergency condition and requiring that necessary actions be taken to meet the emergency. An emergency order shall be effective immediately, and any person to whom an emergency order is directed shall comply therewith within the period of time specified in the order. Any such person shall receive a reasonably prompt notice of their right to a prompt hearing conducted by an administrative law officer of the buildings hearings division of the department of administrative hearings, pursuant to the procedures established for such hearings. Pending the hearing, the commissioner may take whatever steps are necessary to execute the emergency order when necessary to protect the health of any person. The entire cost of abatement and relocation actions taken or caused to be taken by the City of Chicago pursuant to this section shall be recoverable from each of the persons responsible for correcting the violations or giving rise to the emergency conditions by bringing an action in a court of competent jurisdiction or at the department of administrative hearings pursuant to Chapter 1-20 of this Municipal Code or other applicable law. (Added Coun. J. 11-5-93, p. 40561; Amend Coun. J. 7-10-96, p. 24982; Amend Coun. J. 11-12-97, p. 56813; Amend Coun. J. 4-29-98, p. 66564; Amend Coun. J. 12-13-06, p. 94902, § 1)
Chicago Municipal Code § 7-4-140 authorizes the city's commissioner to issue emergency orders when a code violation creates an immediate threat to human health, or when certain determinations under § 7-4-100(b) are made. Such orders take effect immediately, and the person named in the order must comply within the timeframe the order specifies. The provision also guarantees a prompt hearing before an administrative law officer and allows the city to recover all abatement and relocation costs from those responsible for the underlying violations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 7-4-140, property owners and managers who receive an emergency order from the commissioner are required to act within the deadline stated in that order, which takes effect the moment it is issued. Compliant operators generally maintain properties in a condition that avoids the health-threatening violations that trigger such orders in the first place, and they keep records of corrective actions taken. Because the city can pursue full cost recovery for any abatement or relocation work it performs through court action or the Department of Administrative Hearings, the financial exposure from non-compliance can extend well beyond ordinary fines.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 7-4-140 provides that when a health-threatening emergency condition is found at a property, the commissioner can order immediate corrective action—and, if necessary, can act directly to protect occupants while a hearing is pending. Tenants affected by such conditions may have grounds to report violations to the Chicago Department of Housing or another relevant city agency, which can trigger the emergency-order process. Those who believe their housing situation involves an emergency health condition may also wish to consult a tenant-rights organization to understand the hearing rights and relocation protections that § 7-4-140 makes available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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