Champaign County, IL Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

2(J) of the county's Public Nuisance Ordinance declares a DANGEROUS STRUCTURE a public nuisance in unincorporated Champaign County. 2 defines five types: TYPE 1 covers a building abandoned, vacant or unused for 180 consecutive days that is open to intrusion; TYPE 2 covers imminent danger of structural failure or collapse; TYPE 3 covers damage or deterioration that creates a fire, explosion or toxic-release hazard; and TYPE 4 covers damage, deterioration or improper maintenance that leaves the structure unable to serve the purpose it was built for in a safe and healthful manner.

TYPE 5, covering occupied dwellings that lack potable water, a working toilet, code-compliant plumbing, heat or electrical service, is addressed separately for rental habitability. 3. That notice must give the owner of record and other responsible persons at least 15 days to abate the nuisance, except that an ongoing activity can be stopped immediately and imminent peril to health or safety can be ordered abated at once (Sec. 3D). 4, the Zoning Administrator may enter a written abatement agreement with the owner, but no agreement may run longer than 180 days, and if the nuisance involves garbage or debris the County may remove it itself under the Illinois Counties Code (55 ILCS 5/5-1118) and place the cost as a lien on the property.

If the structure isn't abated, the Administrator or Sheriff refers the matter to the Champaign County State's Attorney for a quasi-criminal complaint, injunction or other court action. A property owner may appeal any notice to the county's Environment and Land Use Committee within 15 days (Sec. 1B).