Bloomington, IL Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Chapter 10, Article III defines an UNSAFE BUILDING to include any structure dangerous to public health because of its construction or condition, or one that spreads disease or injures occupants or neighboring structures, and defines an ABANDONED BUILDING as one unoccupied for a continuous year that also fails to meet building, housing, electrical, fire or plumbing codes for its zone. Once the Director of Economic & Community Development finds a building unsafe or abandoned under § 10-302, the matter is referred to the Legal Department, which under § 10-303 must apply to the Circuit Court of McLean County for a repair or demolition order.

Before filing suit, the Legal Department gives owners and lienholders of record at least 15 days' notice to make the building safe or demolish it. At the hearing, § 10-304 lets the court order demolition if repair costs would exceed 50% of the building's appraised value, if the owner defaults on a prior repair order, or if the owner signs a consent to demolish; short of that, the court can order repairs on a set timetable, or let the City make them. Whatever the City or a lienholder spends on the work becomes a lien on the property under § 10-305, filed with the McLean County Recorder of Deeds within 60 days and enforceable by foreclosure within three years under § 10-306.