Illinois Statutes Chapter 310. Housing § 50/4. Petition; proceedings

§ 4. The proceeding shall be commenced by filing a verified petition in the circuit court in the county in which the property is located. The petition shall allege the conditions specified in Section 3. All parties in interest of the property shall be named as defendants in the petition and summons shall be issued and service had as in other civil cases pursuant to Section 2-206 of the Code of Civil Procedure.  1

Any defendant may file as part of his answer, as an affirmative defense, a plan for the rehabilitation of the property. The court shall grant that defendant 90 days to bring the property into compliance with applicable fire, housing and building codes. The court may, for good cause shown, extend the 90-day compliance period. If the property is brought into such compliance within the 90-day period or extension of time thereof, the petition shall be dismissed. If the defendant fails to bring the property into such compliance within the 90-day period or extension of time thereof, or if the defendant's plan is otherwise insufficient, the defendant's affirmative defense shall be stricken.

At the hearing on the organization's petition, the organization shall submit to the court a plan for the rehabilitation of the property and present evidence that the organization has adequate resources to rehabilitate and thereafter manage the property. For the purpose of developing such a plan, representatives of the organization may be permitted entry onto the property by the court at such times and on such terms as the court may deem appropriate.