The purpose of the City’s code enforcement program is to proactively enforce the adopted property maintenance codes, zoning ordinances and other property maintenance-related ordinances of the City.

Code enforcement ensures the maintenance and promotion of a safe and attractive living and working environment. Code enforcement also helps preserve and improve the quality of buildings and sites through fair and equitable enforcement.

Code violations can be reported online or by calling Code Enforcement Officer James Forni at 630-262-0284.

Process

Identification of Violation

The Building Division approaches code enforcement in a proactive manner. While it is true that the division receives complaints from citizens, the vast majority of code enforcement contacts are the result of neighborhood inspections throughout the City. These inspections are performed weekly to identify and address code violations before they become a threat to the health and safety of individuals.

Notification of Violation

Once a violation is identified by the code enforcement officer, a written notice of violation is sent to the property owner explaining the alleged infraction and citing the relevant chapter and section of the City’s adopted code.

A deadline is set for bringing the property into compliance, after which a follow-up inspection is performed. If the property owner does not respond to the first written notice, second or third written notices are issued if necessary.

Due to the potential serious safety and health hazards associated with certain violations, the amount of time given to bring a property into compliance can vary. The goal of the City is to work with the property owner to develop a suitable compliance plan with performance deadlines.

Adjudication

If the violation still has not been corrected after the third written notice, a summons to appear before the hearing officer for local adjudication is filed and sent to the property owner. Since the primary goal of the Building Division is compliance, as many as three continuances may be granted by the hearing officer before compliance is achieved.

A local adjudication hearing is held once a month before an administrative hearing officer. During the adjudication hearing, the code enforcement officer will provide evidence and testimony to support the written notice of violation. The property owner will also be given the opportunity to provide evidence and testimony to support his/her defense. All parties have the right to be represented by legal counsel, to call witnesses, to cross examine opposing witnesses, and to request the issuance of subpoenas by the hearing officer to direct the attendance and testimony of relevant witnesses and the production of relevant documents.

The administrative hearing officer is given the authority to issue a written determination, based on the evidence presented at the hearing, of whether a code violation exists. The City will continue to work with individuals during this process in order to bring a code violation into compliance. However, individuals found liable through the adjudication process may be fined and/or ordered to comply with the City Code.