What state agency do you contact when the city won't enforce codes? (apartment, how much) - Illinois (IL) - City-Data Forum

RickStar · 08-02-2009, 03:26 PM

Hi.
Does anyone know what state agency you contact when the city won't enforce building codes? I'm in Illinois and went to the Illinois state website and scanned the the list of agencies, but there really isn't one that deals with "code enforcement". The closest agency I could find was the EPA, and I'm sure that's not it.

Swampmonster · 08-02-2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickStar

Hi.
Does anyone know what state agency you contact when the city won't enforce building codes? I'm in Illinois and went to the Illinois state website and scanned the the list of agencies, but there really isn't one that deals with "code enforcement". The closest agency I could find was the EPA, and I'm sure that's not it.

What area are you in and what code is being violated?

RickStar · 08-02-2009, 04:05 PM

I'm in the central Illinois area. A very large section of roof collapsed on a building next door to me. We share a wall, so every time it rains my building gets water damaged. I guess the code not being enforced would be the roofing code. The building is slowly falling down brick by brick, so I'm sure that there are many other building codes being violated here to. I'm of course in the process of suing the owners, but unfortunately the owner is a non-profit organization so it will be a struggle. It's been over three months and the city has not forced the owner through standard code enforcement to repair the roof or take the building down. I'm assuming the city is afraid if they put pressure on the owner that the owner will walk away from it and the city will inherit the building and be forced to tear it down at the city's expense.

Swampmonster · 08-02-2009, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickStar

I'm in the central Illinois area. A very large section of roof collapsed on a building next door to me. We share a wall, so every time it rains my building gets water damaged. I guess the code not being enforced would be the roofing code. The building is slowly falling down brick by brick, so I'm sure that there are many other building codes being violated here to. I'm of course in the process of suing the owners, but unfortunately the owner is a non-profit organization so it will be a struggle. It's been over three months and the city has not forced the owner through standard code enforcement to repair the roof or take the building down. I'm assuming the city is afraid if they put pressure on the owner that the owner will walk away from it and the city will inherit the building and be forced to tear it down at the city's expense.

I would start with your county health dept.....if that doesn't work,use the EPA.

The health dept can make it where the city DOESN'T have to foot the bill by issuing orders for clean up and repair..if that doesn't work then they'll fine them...heck,they may fine them first,you can never tell.

gardener34 · 08-02-2009, 06:50 PM

yeah - I would start with the health dept since you got nowhere with the city. Then check your county level codes. Go to the county, maybe they can help you out. The health dept is with the county I believe. If you have any blight codes, which are few and far between in certain areas outside the metro area, it would be covered under the blight codes. And yes, they can go through legal channels to have the owner clean up his mess if he walks out on his obligations.

linicx · 08-02-2009, 08:45 PM

When you go to the health department you have to make the case the defective building is harmful to your health. Mold inside your apartment is a bigger health risk than a leaky roof - except the leaking roof promotes the mold. Mold causes lung disease. You do not know how much structural damage is being done to your unit or your building. Talk to your TOWNSHIP Supervisor. They can yank a lot ot chains on your behalf.

Not all cities have all codes. Ours does not have much of anything except tax collectors. If you rent, move of you can. If you do rent, that's a good thing. Your landlord may not take kindly to the damage to his building. If nothing else the buidling next door is de-valuing your property in an already weakened housing market.

My two cents,..

Swampmonster · 08-03-2009, 07:10 AM

I had a simular problem several years ago....I talked to the guy and he was a smart alleck about it, so i picked the phone up and called the health dept....they showed up the SAME day and the problem was solved within hours

doll lady · 08-03-2009, 07:19 AM

I think I would probably go to the county board .... I would think all counties would have building codes for the safety of the public.....and could get their public works to tear it down, put a lein on the property and sell the property if the owner didn't pay up for the removal costs. I imagine the county could also make it rough on the city if they weren't doing their job in enforcing any city code. Just my two cents worth.

linicx · 08-03-2009, 08:11 AM

County does not usurp city. Each has its own code. However, if the city asks the county for assistance they will normally honor the request.

gardener34 · 08-03-2009, 07:48 PM

In our township, the health department is very proactive. But there must be a complaint made. They won't just go in somewhere. They must have a valid complaint to inspect. So make the call anonymously if you like.