Housing Authorities Act.

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(310 ILCS 10/1) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 1)

Sec. 1. This Act shall be known as the "Housing Authorities Act".

(Source: Laws 1933-34, Third Sp. Sess., p. 159.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/2) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 2)

Sec. 2. It is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination that in order to promote and protect the health, safety, morals and welfare of the public, it is necessary in the public interest to provide for the creation of municipal corporations to be known as housing authorities, and to confer upon and vest in these housing authorities all powers necessary or appropriate in order that they may engage in low-rent housing and slum clearance projects, and provide rental assistance, and undertake land assembly, clearance, rehabilitation, development, and redevelopment projects as will tend to relieve the shortage of decent, safe, affordable, and sanitary dwellings; and that the powers herein conferred upon the housing authorities including the power to acquire and dispose of improved or unimproved property, to remove unsanitary or substandard conditions, to construct and operate housing accommodations, to regulate the maintenance of housing projects and to borrow, expend, loan, invest, and repay monies for the purposes herein set forth, are public objects and governmental functions essential to the public interest.

It is further declared as a matter of legislative determination that the crucial affordable housing shortage which continues to prevail throughout the State has contributed and will continue to contribute materially toward an increase in crime, juvenile delinquency, infant mortality, drug abuse, drug disability and disease; that by reason thereof it has become a social and economic imperative to broaden the powers of housing authorities with respect to the acquisition of property, the construction of housing accommodations, the provision of rental assistance and the assembly, clearance and sale or other disposition of property acquired for development or redevelopment by persons, firms and corporations; that the provisions of this Act are grounded in public necessity and predicated upon serious emergency conditions requiring immediate consideration and action, and that this amendatory Act embraces public objects and governmental functions essential to the public interest.

It is further declared that in municipalities of less than 500,000 population further stimulus must be provided for the conservation of urban areas and the prevention of slums if the public interest objectives of the Urban Community Conservation Act, are to be secured; that in these municipalities housing authorities should be authorized to initiate, plan, study and execute urban conservation projects as an alternative mechanism to that provided in the Urban Community Conservation Act; that unless this authority is so delegated there is a serious and substantial risk that many urban areas will deteriorate into actual slum and blight areas; and that to prevent the occurrence of these conditions and the social evils attendant thereon, and to protect and conserve the public interest, the provisions of this amendatory Act are necessary.

(Source: P.A. 87-200.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/3) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 3)

Sec. 3. The governing body of any city, village or incorporated town having more than 25,000 inhabitants, or of any county of this State, may, by resolution, determine that there is need for a housing authority in the city, village, incorporated town or county. Upon adoption, the resolution shall be forwarded to the Department together with a statement of reasons or findings supporting the resolution. The Department shall thereupon issue a certificate to the presiding officer of the city, village, incorporated town or county for the creation of an authority if it shall find (a) that unsanitary or unsafe inhabited dwelling accommodations exist in the city, village, incorporated town or county, and (b) that there is a shortage of safe or sanitary and affordable dwelling accommodations in the city, village, incorporated town or county available to persons who lack the amount of income which is necessary (as determined by the Department) to enable them without financial assistance to live in decent, safe and sanitary and affordable dwellings without over-crowding. In determining whether dwelling accommodations are unsafe or unsanitary the Department may take into consideration the degree of over-crowding, the percentage of land coverage, the light, air, space and access available to the inhabitants of such dwelling accommodations, the size and arrangement of the rooms, the sanitary facilities and the extent to which conditions exist in the buildings which endanger life or property by fire or other causes. In making its determination, the Department may also consider whether or not the needs of the applicant are currently being met by an existing housing authority. The Department may also take into consideration whether or not the creation of a new housing authority would be an unnecessary duplication of services.

As soon as possible after the issuance of a certificate by the Department the presiding officer of the city, village, incorporated town or county shall appoint, with the approval of the governing body of the unit of local government, 5 commissioners with initial terms of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years, except as follows:

  • (i) for the Housing Authority in any municipality having over 500,000 inhabitants, the presiding officer shall appoint 7 commissioners, with initial terms of 4 and 5 years for the 2 additional commissioners authorized and appointed under this amendatory Act of 1982, and the presiding officer shall designate one commissioner as Chairman of the Authority; and
  • (ii) if a county has at least 80,000 but fewer than 90,000 inhabitants according to the 1990 federal decennial census, then the Housing Authority in any municipality in the county may have 7 commissioners appointed by the presiding officer of the municipality, with initial terms of 4 and 5 years for the 2 additional commissioners authorized and appointed in accordance with this amendatory Act of 1993;
  • (iii) if a county has at least 170,000 but fewer than 500,000 inhabitants, according to the 1990 Federal decennial census, then the county board may, with respect to one or more commissioners, cede powers of appointment, confirmation, and removal of those commissioners to one or more municipalities within the county by intergovernmental agreement; and
  • (iv) for any Housing Authority the presiding officer may appoint 7 commissioners, with initial terms of 4 and 5 years for the 2 additional commissioners authorized and appointed under this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly.

In cases where a county of more than 500,000 but less than 3 million population is the area of operation of an Authority, the presiding officer of the county board of the county shall appoint 7 commissioners to the housing authority, 2 of whom may be members of that county board. The county members appointed to the Authority under this Section shall serve such term or until termination of their county board service, whichever first occurs. Upon the approval by the governing body of the appointments, the presiding officer shall cause a certificate of such appointments and of its approval thereof to be filed in the office in which deeds of property in the area of operation are recorded, and upon filing the persons so appointed and approved shall be fully constituted an Authority.

At the expiration of the term of each commissioner, and of each succeeding commissioner, or in the event of a vacancy, the presiding officer shall appoint a commissioner, subject to the approval of the governing body as aforesaid, to hold office, in the case of a vacancy for the unexpired term, or in the case of expiration for a term of five years, or until his successor shall have been appointed and qualified. Each appointment shall be effective upon the filing by the presiding officer of a certificate of appointment in the office of the Recorder of Deeds in the County where the Authority is located.

In case a county is the area of operation of an Authority, the area shall not be deemed to include any city, village, or incorporated town within the county within which an Authority at that time exists. If thereafter an Authority is organized with respect to any city, village, or incorporated town within the county, the county Authority shall have no power to initiate any further project within the city, village, or incorporated town. However, if there are any existing projects within the city, village or incorporated town currently owned and operated by the county Authority they shall remain in the county Authority's ownership, custody and control.

Every commissioner shall be a resident of the area of operation of the Authority; provided, that in respect to an Authority created for a county, residence in any city, village or incorporated town within such county shall not be a disqualification for appointment as a Commissioner for such county Authority notwithstanding that such city, village or incorporated town may be excluded from the area of operation of such Authority. Any public officer shall be eligible to serve as a commissioner, and the acceptance of appointment as such shall not terminate nor impair his public office, the provision of any statute to the contrary notwithstanding; but no member of the Department shall be eligible to serve as a commissioner, nor shall more than two public officers be commissioners of the same Authority at one time; Provided, that membership on any Authority at the same time of more than two public officers shall not affect or impair the validity of any Act undertaken or power exercised by the Authority pursuant to Law. The term "public officer" as herein used means a person holding a state or local governmental office required to be filled by the vote of electors, and for which provision is made by law for the payment of annual compensation from public funds.

Except as otherwise provided, all provisions of this Act shall apply to a Housing Authority established for more than one county, and, unless the context shall otherwise indicate, the word county shall be construed also to mean counties. An Authority may subsequently be established separately for any one or more counties, by compliance with the terms of this Act, and, if an Authority is established, it shall take over all property and obligations, within the county or counties, of the Authority previously including it or them within its area of operation, and the Authority shall have no further jurisdiction within the territory of the county or counties, but nothing herein shall affect the power of a Housing Authority to operate outside its area of operation, as provided by Section 30. Subsection (b) of Section 17 shall apply to a Housing Authority created under the provisions of this Section. In all cases in which a Housing Authority embraces the territory of more than one county, each county shall have, within its territory, the powers conferred by Section 29, and by the Housing Cooperation Law.

In addition to the commissioners provided for in this Section, there are created 3 additional commissioner positions for each housing authority of a municipality of more than 1,000,000 inhabitants. Two of these new commissioners, with initial terms of 5 years, shall be appointed from current residents of the housing authority and shall be appointed from a list presented to the appointing authority by official tenants' associations of residents of the housing authority. A tenants' association is "official" if it satisfies the requirements of a Resident Council/Resident Organization/Resident Management Organization established by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. The third new commissioner shall be appointed by the appointing authority from the officers of the official tenants' associations of residents of the housing authority. The term of this new commissioner shall commence no later than 90 days after the election of the officers of the official tenants' associations of residents and after appointment by the appointing authority and shall terminate after the appointment of a new commissioner by the appointing authority. This paragraph shall not apply to housing authorities in jurisdictions where no official tenants' associations exist. However, upon the creation of an official association, the new commissioner positions shall be created 6 months thereafter.

Each tenants' association shall determine the method of choosing residents to be recommended for appointment. Tenants' associations may act in unison in recommending residents for appointment.

In units of local government of more than 1,000,000 inhabitants, each tenants' association shall submit not more than 2 residents for consideration. If associations act in unison, they may submit a number representing 2 names for each association. The appointing authority shall make the appointments within 45 days of receiving the recommendations.

A Housing Authority created under the preceding terms of this Section shall be designated as the Housing Authority of the city, village, incorporated town, county, or of the several counties within its area of operation.

Any 2 or more home rule municipalities within the same county may create a housing authority by intergovernmental agreement. The agreement shall be for an indefinite duration. If a housing authority is created by 2 or more home rule municipalities under this paragraph, appointments and confirmation of commissioners to the board and removal of commissioners from the board shall be made as set forth in the agreement. The agreement may include, in addition to other terms and conditions governing the operation of the board, provisions that increase the number of commissioners otherwise authorized by this Act to a number no greater than 9. The agreement also may provide for staggered terms for the commissioners and for the length of the commissioners' initial terms. An intergovernmental agreement between 2 or more home rule municipalities creating a housing authority may include other terms the municipalities deem desirable. The terms may include reporting and oversight requirements binding on the housing authority board agreed upon by the parties. This paragraph shall not be construed as a limitation on home rule municipalities.

(Source: P.A. 93-323, eff. 1-1-04.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/3.1) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 3.1)

Sec. 3.1. In any municipality having over 500,000 inhabitants, there shall be created a Housing Authority City Wide Residents' Advisory Board which shall be composed of each Local Advisory Council member who represents a development unit within the municipality. The Board shall advise the Housing Authority on residents' concerns over housing development operations and program services. The Board shall also recommend new programs to the Housing Authority and evaluate existing programs. The Board shall report to the Housing Authority on a quarterly basis.

(Source: P.A. 86-644.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/4) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 4)

Sec. 4. Whenever it shall appear to the presiding officer having appointment authority that a commissioner of a Housing Authority is incompetent or guilty of neglect of duty or malfeasance, the presiding officer shall require such commissioner to appear before the presiding officer or his designee to show cause why he should not be removed from office. At least fifteen days' written notice of such a hearing shall be given to the commissioner whose conduct is in question and to all other members of the Authority. At the hearing the commissioner may be represented by counsel and may appear personally and present such pertinent evidence as he wishes or as the presiding officer or his designee may request.

If after a hearing the presiding officer determines that a commissioner has been incompetent or has been guilty of neglect of duty or malfeasance, he shall remove such commissioner from the Authority within seven days, and there shall thereupon be deemed to be a vacancy of such office.

(Source: P.A. 82-780.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/5) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 5)

Sec. 5. No commissioner or employee of an Authority shall acquire any interest direct or indirect in any project or in any property included or planned to be included in any project, nor shall he have any interest direct or indirect in any contract or proposed contract for materials or services to be furnished or used in connection with any project. If any commissioner or employee of any Authority owns or controls an interest direct or indirect in any property included in any project, which was acquired prior to his appointment or employment, he shall disclose the same in writing to the Authority and such disclosure shall be entered upon the minutes of the Authority.

Nothing contained in this Act or in any other law shall be construed to preclude a tenant of an Authority from serving as an appointed commissioner of that Authority. No part of this Act or any other law shall be construed in such a way as to inhibit the tenant commissioner in the lawful exercise of the powers and duties of his or her office.

(Source: P.A. 87-657.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/6) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 6)

Sec. 6. As soon as possible after the creation of an Authority the commissioners shall organize for the transaction of business by choosing from among their number a chairman and a vice-chairman and by adopting by-laws and rules and regulations suitable to the purposes of this Act. Three commissioners shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of an Authority that has 5 commissioners, 4 commissioners shall constitute a quorum for an Authority that has 7 commissioners, and 6 commissioners shall constitute a quorum for an Authority that has 10 commissioners. The commissioners shall, from time to time, select and appoint a chief executive officer and officers and employees, including engineering, architectural and legal assistants, as they may require for the performance of their duties, and may prescribe the duties and compensation of each officer and employee or expressly delegate that authority to the chief executive officer.

(Source: P.A. 87-200; 87-657; 87-895; 88-214.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/6.1)

Sec. 6.1. Power to deduct wages for debts.

(a) Upon receipt of notice from the comptroller of a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more, a county with a population of 3,000,000 or more, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago Transit Authority, or the Chicago Board of Education that a debt is due and owing the municipality, the county, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago Transit Authority, or the Chicago Board of Education by an employee of the housing authority of a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more, that authority may withhold, from the compensation of that employee, the amount of the debt that is due and owing and pay the amount withheld to the municipality, the county, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago Transit Authority, or the Chicago Board of Education; provided, however, that the amount deducted from any one salary or wage payment shall not exceed 25% of the net amount of the payment.

(b) Before the housing authority of a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more deducts any amount from any salary or wage of an employee under this Section, the municipality, the county, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago Transit Authority, or the Chicago Board of Education shall certify that (i) the employee has been afforded an opportunity for a hearing to dispute the debt that is due and owing the municipality, the county, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago Transit Authority, or the Chicago Board of Education and (ii) the employee has received notice of a wage deduction order and has been afforded an opportunity for a hearing to object to the order.

(c) For purposes of this Section:

  • (1) "Net amount" means that part of the salary or wage payment remaining after the deduction of any amounts required by law to be deducted.
  • (2) "Debt due and owing" means (i) a specified sum of money owed to the municipality, the county, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago Transit Authority, or the Chicago Board of Education for services, work, or goods, after the period granted for payment has expired, or (ii) a specified sum of money owed to the municipality, the county, the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the Chicago Park District, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Chicago Transit Authority, or the Chicago Board of Education pursuant to a court order or order of an administrative hearing officer after the exhaustion of, or the failure to exhaust, judicial review.

(Source: P.A. 92-109, eff. 7-20-01.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/7) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 7)

Sec. 7. No commissioner shall receive any compensation, whether in form of salary, per diem allowances or otherwise, for or in connection with his services as a commissioner, except that the Housing Authority in any municipality having over 500,000 inhabitants may establish by resolution a reasonable salary or per diem allowance for the services of the commissioner who serves as chairman, and except that in an Authority created by a municipality or a county having over 25,000 inhabitants the corporate authorities of the municipality or county may establish a reasonable per diem allowance for the services of commissioners, to be paid by the municipality or county from funds budgeted by the corporate or county authorities for that purpose. Each commissioner shall, however, be entitled to reimbursement out of funds available therefor, for any necessary expenditures in connection with the performance of his general duties or in connection with the construction or operation of any project. The Authority may allocate such expenses among its projects in a manner as it may consider proper. An Authority created by a municipality or county having over 25,000 inhabitants may also provide for the reimbursement, from funds of the Authority, of any travel expenses incurred by the commissioners for travel in connection with their duties.

(Source: P.A. 87-200; 87-657.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8)

Sec. 8. An Authority shall be a municipal corporation and shall constitute a body both corporate and politic, exercising public and essential governmental functions, and having all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this Act, including, in addition to others herein granted, the powers enumerated in Sections 8.1 through 8.8, inclusive.

(Source: Laws 1955, p. 1772.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.1) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.1)

Sec. 8.1. An Authority has power to investigate living and housing conditions, housing needs and markets in its area of operation and the means and methods of improving conditions and meeting needs through private and public means; to determine where unsanitary or substandard housing conditions exist; to ascertain which dwellings in its area of operation do not meet such standards as it may determine are necessary for safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations and to report its findings to the appropriate government in the territory in which the dwellings are located; to study and make recommendations concerning the plan of the area of operation in relation to the problems of acquisition, clearing, replanning, and reconstruction of areas in which unsanitary or substandard conditions exist or which are needed for increasing the supply of decent, safe and sanitary and affordable dwellings and for related community development, and the providing of housing accommodations and subsidies for persons of low income, and to cooperate with any regional or State planning agencies or the planning agency of any city, village or incorporated town wholly or partly within its area of operation.

(Source: P.A. 87-200.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.1a) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.1a)

Sec. 8.1a. Police powers.

(a) A Housing Authority in any municipality having over 500,000 inhabitants has power to police its property and to exercise police powers for the protection of the persons and property of its residents, employees and visitors, for the enforcement of any rule or regulation adopted by the Authority, and in furtherance of the purposes for which such Authority was organized. In particular, and subject to amounts appropriated for that purpose, the Housing Authority in exercising its police powers shall strive to eliminate or reduce the following activities within the property or facilities of the Authority: streetgang-related activities (as defined in the Illinois Streetgang Terrorism Omnibus Prevention Act), illegal activities involving controlled substances (as defined in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act), illegal activities involving cannabis (as defined in the Cannabis Control Act), illegal activities involving methamphetamine (as defined in the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act), and illegal activities involving firearms. Such Authority has power to establish, appoint and support a police force for such purposes.

(b) A Housing Authority in a municipality having 500,000 or fewer inhabitants may establish, appoint, and support a police force to police the Authority's property, to protect the persons and property of the Authority's residents, employees, and visitors, to enforce the Authority's adopted rules and regulations, and to otherwise further the purposes for which the Authority was organized. A police force may be established under this subsection only with the approval of the mayor or president of the municipality and only if, in the opinion of the Authority and the mayor or president, the severity of streetgang-related activities (as defined in the Illinois Streetgang Terrorism Omnibus Prevention Act), illegal activities involving controlled substances (as defined in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act), illegal activities involving cannabis (as defined in the Cannabis Control Act), illegal activities involving methamphetamine (as defined in the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act), or illegal activities involving firearms makes the establishment of a police force desirable.

(c) Members of a Housing Authority police force shall be conservators of the peace and shall have all powers possessed by the police of cities, and sheriffs, including the power to make arrests for violations of federal and state statutes, city and county ordinances, and rules and regulations of the Authority and governing federal agencies; provided, that they may exercise such powers only within the property or facilities of such Authority, and only (i) when such exercise is appropriate for the protection of Authority properties and interests, or its residents, employees and visitors, or (ii) otherwise, within the municipality in which the Authority operates, when specifically requested by appropriate federal, state and local law enforcement officials. Unless expressly limited by the Authority, when outside the property or facilities of the Authority, the members of the police force shall have the same powers as those conferred on the police of organized cities and villages when acting outside of the territorial limits of their city or village. "Property or facilities of the Authority" means property owned or leased by the Authority and property over which the Authority has easement rights. The Authority shall establish minimum standards for selection and training of members of such police force, provided that the members of such police force shall be certified and trained under the provisions of the Illinois Police Training Act, as now or hereafter amended. The members of such police force may serve and execute civil process. The establishment of such a police force shall not affect the power of the Authority to use or employ other security personnel as permitted by law. Neither the Authority, the members of its Board nor its officers or employees shall be held liable for failure to provide a security or police force or, if a security or police force is provided, for failure to provide adequate police protection or security, failure to prevent the commission of crimes or failure to apprehend criminals.

(Source: P.A. 94-556, eff. 9-11-05.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.1b) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.1b)

Sec. 8.1b. (a) The Authority shall establish and maintain an affirmative action program consistent with state and federal law, designed to promote equal employment opportunity within the police force and give preference to the recruitment of applicants for the police force from the specific communities in which the Authority operates housing developments and administers housing assistance programs.

(b) In establishing the selection standards, the Authority shall provide that sworn officer positions at the rank of sergeant or below shall first be filled by persons otherwise qualified for selection who are residents of facilities under the jurisdiction of the Authority.

(Source: P.A. 86-457.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.1c)

Sec. 8.1c. Citizens Review Board. A Citizens Review Board is established for the housing authority in any municipality having over 500,000 inhabitants to monitor the housing authority police force.

The Board shall consist of 9 members with 5 appointed by the executive director of the housing authority, 2 appointed by the housing authority's Central Advisory Council, and 2 appointed by the housing authority's Senior Advisory Council. The initial terms of the members shall be one, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years for the members appointed by the executive director, one and 2 years for the members appointed by the Central Advisory Council, and one and 2 years for the members appointed by the Senior Advisory Council. The appointing authority shall determine which initial term each appointee shall serve. Each successor of the initial members shall serve for a term of 4 years. The initial appointments to the Board shall be made within 30 days of the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997. The Board shall select one of its members to serve as chairperson. The Board may, after notice and a hearing, remove by majority vote a member of the Board who has been found guilty of neglect of duty or malfeasance. If a member of the Board resigns or is removed, the official or body that would appoint the member's successor shall appoint a person to serve the remainder of the member's term. After a member's term expires, the member shall continue to serve until a successor is appointed and qualified.

Subject to collective bargaining agreements, the Board has the authority, after holding a hearing, to suspend, terminate, or take other disciplinary action against a housing authority police officer if:

  • (1) the officer is found by the Board to have physically abused a tenant or his or her guest while the officer was on duty;
  • (2) the officer is found by the Board to have entered the residence of a housing authority tenant and was neither (i) executing a legally issued arrest warrant or search warrant for that residence nor (ii) otherwise lawfully present in the residence; or
  • (3) the officer is found by the Board to have physically abused a person on or off housing authority property while performing his or her duty as a housing authority police officer.

(Source: P.A. 90-478, eff. 8-17-97.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.2) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.2)

Sec. 8.2. Projects; competitive bidding; arrangement with for-profit developer. An Authority has power to prepare, carry out and operate projects; to provide for the construction, reconstruction, improvement, alteration or repair of any project or any part thereof; to take over by purchase, lease, or otherwise any project undertaken by any government; to act as agent for the Federal government in connection with the acquisition, construction, operation, or management of a project or any part thereof; to arrange with any government within the area of operation for the furnishing, planning, replanning, opening or closing of streets, roads, roadways, alleys, parks, or other places of public facilities or for the acquisition by any government or any agency, instrumentality or subdivision thereof, of property, options or property rights or for the furnishing of property or services in connection with a project; to function as an agency of the city, village, incorporated town or county for which it is constituted an Authority and to act as an agent (when so designated) for any government, with respect to matters relating to housing and the purposes of this Act, including action for the elimination of unsafe and unsanitary dwellings, the provision of rental assistance, the clearing and redevelopment of blighted or slum areas, the assembly of improved and unimproved land for development or redevelopment purposes, the conservation and rehabilitation of existing housing, and the provision of decent, safe and sanitary and affordable housing accommodations, and to utilize any and all of its powers to assist governments in any manner which will tend to further the objectives of this Act; to assist through the exercise of the powers herein conferred any individual, association, corporation or organization which presents a plan for developing or redeveloping any property within the area of operation of the Authority which will tend to provide decent, safe and sanitary and affordable housing, or promote other uses essential to sound community growth.

In counties having a population of less than 1,000,000, any contract in which State funds are used for repair, improvement or rehabilitation of existing improvements that involves expenditures that meet the requirements applicable to either federal or State programs shall be let by free and competitive bidding to the lowest responsible bidder upon bond and subject to regulations as may be set by the Department and with the written approval of the Department. In the case of an emergency affecting the public health or safety declared by a majority vote of the commissioners of the Housing Authority, contracts may be let, to the extent necessary to resolve an emergency, without public advertisement or competitive bidding.

In addition to the powers conferred by this Act and other laws concerning housing authorities, a Housing Authority in any municipality or county having a population in excess of 1,000,000 shall be authorized to participate as a partner or member of a partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, or other form of a business arrangement with a for-profit developer or non-profit developer and shall have all powers deemed necessary and appropriate to engage in the rehabilitation and development or ownership, or both development and ownership, of low-income and mixed-income rental and for-sale housing as a partner or member of a partnership, limited liability company, or joint venture.

(Source: P.A. 101-632, eff. 6-5-20.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.3) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.3)

Sec. 8.3. An Authority has power to lease or rent any of the housing or other accommodations or any of the lands, buildings, structures, or facilities embraced in any project and to establish and revise the rents or charges therefor; to purchase, lease, obtain options upon, acquire by eminent domain or otherwise, sell, exchange, transfer or assign, any property, real or personal, or any interest therein; to acquire any property, real or personal, or any interest therein from any firm, corporation or any municipal, State or Federal government or any agency, instrumentality or subdivision thereof by gift, grant, or legacy; to own, hold, clear and improve property; in its discretion to insure or provide for the insurance of the property or operations of the Authority against such risks as the Authority may deem advisable.

(Source: P.A. 83-388.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.3a) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.3a)

Sec. 8.3a. Hearing - Notice. Before any construction contract for a proposed new construction of a specific project or proposed rehabilitation project is entered into by a local Housing Authority in a county having a population of less than 1,000,000, a public hearing must be held by the local Housing Authority affording interested persons residing in the area an opportunity to be heard. There shall be a notice of the time and place of the hearing published at least once, not more than 30 nor less than 15 days before the hearing, in one or more newspapers published in the municipality of the project; where there is no newspaper which is published in the municipality, such notice shall be given in one or more newspapers published in the county in which the municipality is located and having general circulation within such municipality. The notice shall contain the particular site and location to be affected as well as a brief statement of what is proposed in the project.

(Source: P.A. 82-723.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.3b)

Sec. 8.3b. Eminent domain. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, any power granted under this Act to acquire property by condemnation or eminent domain is subject to, and shall be exercised in accordance with, the Eminent Domain Act.

(Source: P.A. 94-1055, eff. 1-1-07.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.4) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.4)

Sec. 8.4. An Authority has power to borrow money upon its bonds, notes, debentures, or other evidences of indebtedness and to secure the same by pledges of its revenues, or in any other manner, and in connection with any loan by a government, to agree to limitations upon the exercise of any powers conferred upon the Authority by this Act; to invest any funds held in reserves or sinking funds, or in any funds not required for immediate disbursement in State or Federal securities; to make grants, loans, and advances on such terms as the Authority shall determine, subject to the approval of the Department, to any non-profit corporation referred to in Section 9 in order to assist such non-profit corporation in planning, preparing, constructing, reconstructing or improving housing to provide an additional supply of decent, safe and sanitary dwellings.

(Source: P.A. 81-1509.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.4a)

Sec. 8.4a. Additional powers. In addition to powers conferred by this Act and other laws concerning housing authorities, generally, an Authority for a municipality having a population in excess of 1,000,000 may do any of the following:

(a) Issue revenue bonds for the purpose of financing the construction, equipping, or rehabilitation or refinancing of multifamily rental housing and for the provision of capital improvements in connection with and determined necessary to the multifamily rental housing located within the municipality having a population in excess of 1,000,000.

(b) Make or undertake commitments to make loans to finance the construction, equipping, or rehabilitation or refinancing of multifamily rental housing located within the municipality having a population in excess of 1,000,000.

(c) Purchase or undertake, directly or indirectly through lending institutions, commitments to purchase, construction loans, and mortgage loans originated in accordance with a financing agreement with the Authority to finance the construction, equipping, or rehabilitation or refinancing of multifamily rental housing located within the municipality having a population in excess of 1,000,000, or make loans to lending institutions under terms and conditions which, in addition to other provisions determined by the Authority, shall require the lending institutions to use the net proceeds of the loans for the making, directly or indirectly, of construction loans or mortgage loans to finance the construction, equipping, rehabilitation or refinancing of multifamily rental housing located within the municipality having a population in excess of 1,000,000.

(Source: P.A. 92-481, eff. 8-23-01.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.5) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.5)

Sec. 8.5. An Authority has power to sue and be sued; to have a seal and to alter the same at pleasure; to have perpetual succession; to make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers of the Authority; to make and from time to time amend and repeal by-laws, rules and regulations not inconsistent with this Act, to carry into effect the powers and purposes of the Authority.

(Source: Laws 1955, p. 1772.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.6) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.6)

Sec. 8.6. An Authority has power to enter upon any building or property in order to conduct investigations and to hear testimony and take proof under oath at public or private hearings on any matter material for its information; to issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses or the production of documents and records including, but not limited to, books, papers, tape recordings, computerized data and computer print-outs, and to issue commissions for the examination of witnesses who are out of the State or unable to attend before the Authority, or excused from attendance; and to do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers given in this Act.

(Source: P.A. 86-675.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.7) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.7)

Sec. 8.7. In connection with any examination or investigation conducted by an Authority, the provisions of Section 23 of the State Housing Act shall apply and the Authority shall have the same powers to apply to the Circuit Court of the county within which lies the area of operation to compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of documents and records including, but not limited to, books, papers, tape recordings, computerized data and computer print-outs, as conferred on the Department by Section 24 of the State Housing Act, and in the manner therein provided.

(Source: P.A. 86-675.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.8) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.8)

Sec. 8.8. Any of the investigations or examinations provided for in this Act may be conducted by the Authority or by a committee appointed by it, consisting of one or more commissioners, or by counsel, or by an officer or employee specially authorized by the Authority to conduct it. An Authority may exercise any or all of the powers herein conferred upon it, either generally or with respect to any specific project or projects, through or by any agent or agents which it may designate.

(Source: Laws 1955, p. 1772.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.9) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.9)

Sec. 8.9. Annual report; budget report.

(a) Every Housing Authority organized under the provisions of this Act may make an annual report to the presiding officer and legislative authorities of the city, village, incorporated town or county for which said Authority was created, which report shall state the result of any investigations made by it with respect to housing conditions in its area of operations, making recommendations with respect to the remedying of unsafe and unsanitary housing conditions, or any shortage of adequate housing for persons of low income, and shall also summarize its operations and activities for the preceding year.

(b) The appointing authority for a housing authority may, by ordinance or resolution, require an annual report and budget.

(Source: P.A. 89-351, eff. 1-1-96.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.10) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.10)

Sec. 8.10. As a part of its annual report, every Housing Authority shall present statements setting forth for each project of the Housing Authority a balance sheet, a classified statement of revenues and expenditures and of receipts and disbursements and a surplus statement, and also a consolidated balance sheet and consolidated classified statements of revenues and expenditures, and of receipts and disbursements and a surplus statement reflecting the financial status and condition of the Housing Authority as a whole as of the close of the immediately preceding fiscal year. All statements shall be made separately for bond interest and retirement, capital and operating accounts. The report for the Housing Authority in any municipality containing over 500,000 inhabitants shall also include a separate statement setting out the total amount of rent received for, and the amount of money expended on, each housing project as that term is defined in Section 17 (g) of this Act under the jurisdiction of the Housing Authority and shall also include a complete schedule of salaries in effect on the date of the report and to whom such salaries are paid. The report for Housing Authorities other than those in municipalities containing over 500,000 inhabitants shall include a separate statement setting out in detail the exact amount of rent received for, and the amount of money expended on, each housing project as that term is defined in Section 17 (g) of this Act under the jurisdiction of the Housing Authority and shall also include a complete schedule of the salaries in effect on the date of the report and to whom salaries are being paid. All statements shall be made separately for bond interest and retirement, capital and operating accounts. The annual report of every Housing Authority shall also include the amount or amounts of service charge or charges paid or proffered to the County Collector or to the appropriate officer or officers, of any municipal corporation in lieu of normal real estate taxes, identified to show the year or years and project or projects for which payment was made or proffered. The requirements of this Section can be fulfilled by the filing of an annual certified audit conducted in accordance with federal Housing and Urban Development requirements with the presiding officers and legislative authorities of the city, village, incorporated town or county.

In addition to all other information required herein, the Housing Authority in any municipality or county containing over 500,000 inhabitants shall prepare and maintain a summary tabulation for each project for the period covered by the annual report showing the number of and size of individual housing accommodations; the number of units occupied by families in the various income groups; the total number of persons; the age group of the head of the household of move-ins; the number of persons comprising the household; the rent schedules for determining contract rents; and the number of workers per family moving in; the year of admission of families to public housing; the number of move-ins with the size of family; income groups of families moving in; size of unit occupied by families moving in or out; and information as to family composition; and information as to number of families receiving public assistance or social security benefits. All information shall be a matter of public record and shall be made available by the Housing Authority, on request, at any reasonable time without fee or reward.

(Source: P.A. 87-200.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.10a)

Sec. 8.10a. Criminal history record data.

(a) Every Authority organized under the provisions of this Act shall collect the following:

  • (1) the number of applications submitted for admission to federally assisted housing;
  • (2) the number of applications submitted for admission to federally assisted housing by individuals with a criminal history record, if the Authority is conducting criminal history records checks of applicants or other household members;
  • (3) the number of applications for admission to federally assisted housing that were denied on the basis of a criminal history record, if the Authority is conducting criminal history records checks of applicants or other household members;
  • (4) the number of criminal records assessment hearings requested by applicants for housing who were denied federally assisted housing on the basis of a criminal history records check; and
  • (5) the number of denials for federally assisted housing that were overturned after a criminal records assessment hearing.

(b) The information required in this Section shall be disaggregated by the race, ethnicity, and sex of applicants for housing. This information shall be reported to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority and shall be compiled and reported to the General Assembly annually by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall also make this report publicly available, including on its website, without fee.

(Source: P.A. 101-659, eff. 3-23-21.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.11) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.11)

Sec. 8.11. The Housing Authority in any municipality containing over 500,000 inhabitants shall submit the statements herein required to the City Council of such municipality (which shall be entered in the Journal of Proceedings of the City Council) not later than three months following the close of the preceding fiscal year of the Authority. In municipalities containing over 500,000 inhabitants the annual budget of the Housing Authority shall be presented to the City Council before becoming effective.

(Source: Laws 1955, p. 1772.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.12) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.12)

Sec. 8.12. In addition to the powers conferred by other provisions in this Act, a Housing Authority in any municipality or county containing over 500,000 inhabitants shall have the power to destroy or otherwise dispose of its obsolete records, reports, books and documents pursuant to rules or standards that the federal government or any agency or instrumentality thereof may promulgate, in connection with any project financed in whole or in part by the federal government or any agency or instrumentality thereof.

(Source: P.A. 87-200.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.13) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.13)

Sec. 8.13. In addition to the powers conferred by this Act and other laws, Housing Authorities for municipalities of less than 500,000 population and for counties, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the governing bodies of municipal corporations, counties and other public bodies may exercise the powers delegated to them in Sections 8.14 to 8.18, inclusive.

The provisions of Sections 8.14 to 8.18, inclusive, shall be deemed to create an additional and alternative method for the conservation of urban residential areas and the prevention of slums in municipalities of less than 500,000 to that which is provided by the "Urban Community Conservation Act," approved July 13, 1935, and shall not be deemed to alter, amend or repeal said Urban Community Conservation Act.

(Source: P.A. 94-793, eff. 5-19-06.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.14) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.14)

Sec. 8.14. A Housing Authority may, whenever it determines that an area within the municipality or county may be eligible for designation as a conservation area within the meaning of subsection (1) of Section 17 of this Act, make such investigation and hold such hearings as may be required, including at least one public hearing held within the area, which shall be noticed and give opportunity for the residents of the area affected to be heard as provided in Section 8.3a of this Act. Any hearing may be conducted by the Authority or by a Committee appointed by it, consisting of one or more members of the Authority. The Authority may after such hearing designate such areas as conservation areas for the purposes of this Act. The designation, together with an accurate description of the area included in such designation, shall be made by resolution of a majority of the Commissioners of the Authority, and be a part of the records of the Authority.

Following such designation the Authority shall draw up or have submitted for its approval a conservation plan for the area, which plan may include but is not limited to (1) land uses, residential and non-residential; (2) improvement, alteration, or vacation of major and minor streets, alleys and highways, provision for restricted service access, and off-street parking; (3) locations and easements for public utilities; (4) community facilities; (5) open space necessary or desirable for the effectuation of a conservation project; (6) landscaping and site engineering; (7) building restrictions; (8) recommended construction including new buildings, rehabilitations and conversions, demolition of designated structures, and elimination of non-conforming uses; (9) population density, ground coverage, and number of dwelling units recommended; (10) recommended standards of maintenance, and requirements of applicable health and safety ordinances; (11) zoning or rezoning required; (12) costs and financing arrangements of public portions of the plan; (13) recommended timetable of various stages of the program; (14) any and all other steps needed to carry out the plan. Such plan shall conform to the comprehensive plan, if any, of the municipality or county.

Upon completion the plan shall be submitted to the governing body of the municipality or county, together with a request for such implementing legislation as may be required and within the authority of the governing body of the municipality or county and the opinion of the plan commission of the municipality or county, if any, on the merits of the plan.

The governing body of the municipality or county shall by resolution adopt or reject the plan. Following favorable action by the governing body, the Authority shall certify the plan as adopted and transmit a certified copy of the plan and of the resolution adopting it for written approval or rejection by the Department. No plan shall be of any force or effect until it has been approved in writing by the Department. Following favorable action by the Department, the Authority may thereafter exercise in such areas the powers granted under this Amendatory Act of 1963.

(Source: P.A. 81-1509.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.15) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.15)

Sec. 8.15. A Housing Authority may, subject to written approval by the Department, acquire by purchase, condemnation or otherwise any improved or unimproved real property, the acquisition of which is necessary or appropriate for the implementation of a conservation plan for a conservation area as defined in this Act; to remove or demolish substandard or other buildings and structures from the property so acquired; to hold, improve, mortgage and manage such properties; and to sell, lease, or exchange such properties, provided that contracts for repair, improvement or rehabilitation of existing improvements as may be required by the conservation plan to be done by the Authority involving in excess of $1,000 shall be let by free and competitive bidding to the lowest responsible bidder upon such bond and subject to such regulations as may be set by the Department and to the written approval of the Department, and provided further that all new construction for occupancy and use other than by any municipal corporation or county or subdivision thereof shall be on land privately owned.

The acquisition, use or disposition of any real property must conform to a conservation plan developed and approved as provided in Section 8.14. In case of the sale or lease of any real property acquired under a conservation plan, the buyer or lessee must as a condition of sale or lease agree to improve and use the property according to the conservation plan, and such agreement may be made a covenant running with the land, and on order of the Authority and written approval from the Department the agreement shall be made a covenant running with the land. No lease or deed of conveyance either by the Authority or any subsequent owner shall contain a covenant running with the land or other provision prohibiting occupancy of the premises by any person because of race, creed, color, religion, mental or physical disability, national origin or sex.

The Authority shall by public notice by publication once a week for 2 consecutive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in the municipality or county prior to the execution of any contract to sell, lease or otherwise transfer real property and prior to the delivery of any instrument of conveyance with respect thereto, invite proposals from and make available all pertinent information to redevelopers or any person interested in undertaking to redevelop or rehabilitate a conservation area, or any part thereof; provided that, in municipalities or counties in which no newspaper is published, publication may be made by posting a notice in 3 prominent places within the municipality or county. The notice shall contain a description of the conservation area, the details of the conservation plan relating to the property which the purchaser shall undertake in writing to carry out, and such undertakings as the Authority and the Department may deem necessary to obligate the purchaser, his or her successors and assigns (1) to use the property for the purposes designated in the conservation plan, (2) to commence and complete the improvement, repair, rehabilitation or construction of the improvements within the periods of time which the Authority with written approval from the Department fixes as reasonable and (3) to comply with such other conditions as are necessary to carry out the purpose of the conservation project.

The Authority may negotiate with any persons for proposals for the purchase, lease or other transfer of any real property acquired by it and shall consider all redevelopment and rehabilitation proposals submitted to it and the financial and legal ability of the persons making such proposals to carry them out. The Authority subject to written approval from the Department, at a public meeting, notice of which shall have been published in a newspaper of general circulation within the municipality or county at least 15 but not more than 30 days prior to such meeting, may accept such proposals as it deems to be in the public interest and in furtherance of the purposes of this Act.

All sales or leases of real property shall be made at not less than fair use value. No sale of real property acquired pursuant to this section shall be made without the approval of a majority of the Commissioners of the Authority and written approval from the Department. No property shall be held for more than 5 years, after which the property shall be sold to the highest bidder at public sale. The Authority may employ competent real estate management firms to manage such properties as may be required, or the Authority may manage such properties.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.16) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.16)

Sec. 8.16. A Housing Authority may, subject to written approval from the Department, borrow money or other property and accept contributions, capital grants, gifts, donations, services or other financial assistance from the United States of America, the Housing and Home Finance Agency, or any other agency or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise of the United States of America, the State, or any municipality, county or other public body, or from any source, public or private, for or in aid of any of the purposes of a conservation plan in a conservation area contemplated or undertaken by it, and to these ends, subject to written approval from the Department, comply with such conditions and enter into such agreements (including loan contracts and contracts for financial aid), upon such covenants, terms and conditions as it may deem necessary, convenient or desirable.

The Authority subject to written approval from the Department may issue debentures, notes, special certificates or other evidences of indebtedness, including refunding notes or other obligations issued for the purpose of paying or retiring or in exchange for notes or other obligations previously issued by it to the United States of America, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, the State, or any county, municipality or other public body or to any other sources, public or private, in order to secure loans for or in aid of the purpose of a conservation plan in a conservation area contemplated or undertaken by it: provided, that any debentures, notes, special certificates, or other evidences of indebtedness, issued to the United States of America, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, the State, or any county, municipality, or other public body, or to any other sources, public or private, shall be payable solely out of proceeds from the sale of real property acquired for a conservation plan in a conservation area undertaken by it or out of any revenue from the operation and management, or demolition, of existing housing or other buildings or improvements located on any real property acquired by the Authority pursuant to a conservation plan in a conservation area pursuant to this Act, or out of capital grants which the Authority may receive from the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof, or out of any local grant-in-aid as defined in Section 110 of the Act of Congress, approved July 15, 1949, being Public Law 171, 81st Congress, known as the "Housing Act of 1949," as amended, which a municipality, county, commission, district authority or other subdivision or public body of the State or any other entity may make in connection with the implementation of a conservation plan for a conservation area as defined in this Act.

Neither the Commissioners of the Authority nor any person executing such evidences of indebtedness, nor the members of the Department, shall be liable personally thereon by reason of the issuance thereof. Such evidences of indebtedness (and the same shall so state on their face) shall not be payable out of any funds or properties of the Authority other than those enumerated in this Section: Such obligations shall not constitute an indebtedness within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory debt limitation or restriction.

(Source: P.A. 81-1509.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.17) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.17)

Sec. 8.17. If any owner, agent or mortgagee of improved private property within a designated conservation area, after notice by the Authority to comply and opportunity to be heard, fails to make such property conform to minimum standards as set forth in the governing ordinances of the municipality or county, the Authority may apply to the Circuit Court of the county in which the property is located for an order permitting the Authority to make such improved property conform to such minimum standards and to charge and collect from the owners of and persons interested in such property the reasonable cost and expense of making such repairs or improvements as are necessary to bring the property up to the minimum standards of such ordinances. This cost and expense is a lien upon the real estate affected, subordinate to all prior existing liens and encumbrances, provided that within 60 days after the cost and expense is incurred the Authority or person performing the service by authority of the Authority, in his or its own name files notice of lien in the office of the recorder in the county in which the real estate is located or in the office of the Registrar of Titles of such county if the real estate affected is registered under "An Act concerning land titles", approved May 1, 1897, as amended. The notice shall consist of a sworn statement setting out (1) a description of the real estate sufficient for identification thereof; (2) the amount of money representing the cost and expense incurred or payable for the services; (3) the date or dates when said cost and expense was incurred by the Authority. However, the lien of the Authority shall not be valid as to any purchaser, mortgagee, judgment creditor or other lienor whose rights in and to the real estate have arisen subsequent to such repair or improvements and prior to the filing of the notice of the lien in the office of the recorder, or in the office of the Registrar of Titles, as aforesaid. Upon payment of said cost and expense by the owner of or person interested in said property after notice of lien has been filed, the lien shall be released by the Authority or person in whose name the lien has been filed and the release may be filed of record as in the case of filing notice of lien. The lien may be enforced by proceedings to foreclose as in case of mortgages or mechanics liens. An action to foreclose this lien shall be commenced within 3 years after the date of filing notice of lien.

(Source: P.A. 83-358.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.18) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.18)

Sec. 8.18. Any state public body (city, village, incorporated town, county, municipal corporation, commission, district, authority, or other subdivision or public body of the State) (a) may, upon such terms, with or without consideration, as it may determine for the purpose of aiding an Authority in the planning, undertaking or carrying out of a conservation plan in a conservation area: (1) dedicate, sell, convey or lease any of its interest in any property or grant easements, licenses, or other rights or privileges therein to an Authority; (2) incur the entire expense of any public improvement made by such public body in exercising the powers granted in this section; (3) do any and all things necessary to aid or cooperate in the planning or carrying out of a conservation plan; (4) lend, grant or contribute funds to an Authority; (5) enter into agreements (which may extend over any period, notwithstanding any provision or rule of law to the contrary) with a municipality or other public body respecting action to be taken pursuant to any of the powers granted in this Act, including the furnishing of funds or other assistance in connection with a conservation plan, and (6) cause public buildings and public facilities, including parks, playgrounds, recreational, community, or educational facilities, or any other works which it is otherwise empowered to undertake to be furnished; and cause administrative and other services to be furnished to an Authority.

(b) Any sale, conveyance, lease or agreement provided for in this Section may be made by a public body without appraisal, public notice, advertisement or public bidding.

(c) For the purpose of aiding in the planning, undertaking or carrying out of a conservation plan of an Authority hereunder, a municipality or county may (in addition to its other powers and upon such terms with or without consideration, as it may determine) do and perform any or all of the actions or things which, by the provisions of this section, a public body is authorized to do or perform, including the furnishing of financial or other assistance.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 1495.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.19) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.19)

Sec. 8.19. The housing authority of any county, or of the several counties within its area of operation is authorized and permitted to operate a housing referral service. "Housing referral Service" for the purposes of this Section means that the Housing Authority establishing the service will use all of the information it has available by virtue of its duties under this Act, to assist persons with low incomes to find available housing that is decent, safe and sanitary and affordable without overcrowding, which is suitable for their needs. This service shall include housing anywhere within an authority's area of operation or in cooperation with any regional or State planning agency of any city, village or incorporated town wholly or partly within the area of its operation, but is not confined to housing projects of the authority. This service shall be without charge of any kind to the individuals seeking housing within their income range and shall be provided under rules promulgated by the Housing Authority.

"Low income" for the purposes of this Section means income as that term is defined by federal housing statutes and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations.

(Source: P.A. 87-200.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.20) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.20)

Sec. 8.20. Purchases made pursuant to this Act shall be made in compliance with the "Local Government Prompt Payment Act", approved by the Eighty-fourth General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 84-731.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.21) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 8.21)

Sec. 8.21. In determining the income of tenants for the purpose of determining rent, the Housing Authority shall comply with all federal housing statutes and regulations of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Exemptions to federal, State, or local requirements may be granted to a Housing Authority in the form of Waivers, Exclusions, Public Notices, Executive Orders, or Moving to Work Agreements approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

(Source: P.A. 97-246, eff. 8-4-11.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.22)

Sec. 8.22. Determination of income.

(a) Exclusions from income. In determining the income of a tenant for the purpose of determining rent, the Housing Authority shall exclude the following as provided in subsection (b):

  • (i) The amount of any income received by the tenant as a result of anti-drug, anti-crime, and related security initiatives conducted by the Housing Authority. Any activities or income excluded under this subdivision (i) must first be certified by the Housing Authority.
  • (ii) Any income earned by a tenant during the first 12 months of employment which follow a period of unemployment of 12 or more consecutive months if:
    • (A) a period of unemployment of 12 or more consecutive months or the income received within the 12 months prior to employment is less than 10 hours of work per week at the established minimum wage; or
    • (B) the income earned during those 12 months is received as a result of the tenant's participation in any economic self-sufficiency or other job training program; or
    • (C) the income earned during those 12 months is earned by a tenant due to new employment or increased earnings, during or within 6 months after receiving assistance under a State program for temporary assistance for needy families funded under Part A of Title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 and following), provided that the total amount of earned income received by the tenant within the previous 6 months was at least $500.

(b) Procedure for excluding income.

  • (i) Initial 12-month exclusion. Beginning on the first date the tenant is employed or the first date the tenant's family experiences an increase in annual income as determined under subdivision (a)(ii) of this Section, the Housing Authority must exclude the increase in annual income for each month in which the increase is received, but not for more than 12 months.
  • (ii) Second 12-month exclusion and phase-out. After the initial 12-month exclusion period under subdivision (b)(i) of this Section, the Housing Authority must exclude, for each month in which the increase in income is received, but not for more than 12 months, 50% of the increase in the annual income that is received due to the tenant's employment or the tenant's family experiencing an increase in annual income under subdivision (a)(ii).
  • (iii) Maximum 48-month period for exclusions. The exclusion of increases in income of an individual family member as provided in subdivision (b)(i) or (b)(ii) of this Section is limited to a lifetime 48-month period. The exclusion applies for a maximum of 12 months for the exclusion under subdivision (b)(i) and a maximum of 12 months for the exclusion under subdivision (b)(ii), during the 48-month period starting with the beginning of the initial exclusion period under subdivision (b)(i), which immediately follows 12 or more months of unemployment.

(c) Inapplicability of income exclusions to admission process. The exclusion of increases in income as a result of employment under this Section for the purpose of determining rent does not apply for purposes of determining eligibility for admission to the program (including determinations of income eligibility and income targeting).

(d) Inapplicability of income exclusions to the HOME Investment Partnership Program, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS, the Supportive Housing Program, and the Housing Choice Voucher Program. The exclusion of increases in income as a result of employment as provided under subsections (a) and (b) of this Section is not applicable to the following programs: the HOME Investment Partnership Program, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS, the Supportive Housing Program, and the Housing Choice Voucher Program, except for a tenant family member who is a person with disabilities as defined in 42 U.S.C. 423.

(Source: P.A. 97-246, eff. 8-4-11.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.23)

Sec. 8.23. Notification to leaseholders of the prospective presence of individuals with a felony conviction in housing authority facilities; eviction.

(a) Immediately upon the receipt of the written notification, from the Department of Corrections under subsection (c) of Section 3-14-1 of the Unified Code of Corrections, that an individual with a felony conviction intends to reside, upon release from custody, at an address that is a housing facility owned, managed, operated, or leased by the Authority, the Authority must provide written notification to the leaseholder residing at that address.

(b) The Authority may not evict the leaseholder described in subsection (a) of this Section unless (i) federal law prohibits the individual with a felony conviction from residing at a housing facility owned, managed, operated, or leased by the Authority and (ii) the Authority proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the leaseholder had knowledge of and consents to the individual's intent to reside at the leaseholder's address.

(Source: P.A. 101-659, eff. 3-23-21.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/8.24)

Sec. 8.24. Land Clearance Commissions. Any Land Clearance Commission created prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly in accordance with the Blighted Areas Redevelopment Act of 1947 (repealed) shall be deemed lawful and valid except as provided under the Urban Renewal Consolidation Act of 1961. Nothing herein contained shall affect or impair the validity of any act or proceeding done or performed by such Land Clearance Commission under the Blighted Areas Redevelopment Act of 1947 prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 102-510, eff. 8-20-21.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/9) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 9)

Sec. 9. Whenever it shall be deemed necessary by an Authority in connection with the exercise of its powers herein conferred to take or acquire the fee of any real property in the area of operation or any interest therein or right with respect thereto, such Authority may acquire the same directly or through its agent or agents from the owner or owners thereof or may acquire the same by the exercise of eminent domain in the manner provided by the Eminent Domain Act.

If any of such property is devoted to a public use it may nevertheless be acquired, provided that no property belonging to a government may be acquired without its consent and that no property belonging to a corporation subject to the jurisdiction of the Illinois Commerce Commission may be acquired without the approval of the Illinois Commerce Commission.

The power of eminent domain shall apply not only to improved or unimproved property which may be acquired for or as an incident to the development or operation of a project or projects, but also to: (a) any improved or unimproved property the acquisition of which is necessary or appropriate for the rehabilitation or redevelopment of any blighted or slum area, or (b) any improved or unimproved property which the Authority may require to carry out the provisions of this Act. Such power may be exercised by the Housing Authority on its own initiative or as an agent of the city, village, incorporated town, county or counties, or any government, or for the purpose of sale or lease to: (a) a housing corporation operating under "An Act in relation to housing", approved July 12, 1933, as amended; (b) neighborhood redevelopment corporations operating under the "Neighborhood Redevelopment Corporation Law", approved July 9, 1941, as amended; (c) insurance companies operating under Section 125a of the "Illinois Insurance Code", approved June 29, 1937, as amended; (d) non-profit corporations organized for the purpose of constructing, managing and operating housing projects and for the improvement of housing conditions, including the rental or sale of housing units to persons in need thereof; or to any other individual, association or corporation desiring to engage in a development or redevelopment project. No sale or lease shall be made hereunder to any of the aforesaid corporations, associations or individuals unless a plan has been approved by the Authority and the Department for the development or redevelopment of such property and unless the purchaser or lessee furnishes the Authority a bond, with satisfactory sureties, in an amount not less than 10% of the cost of such development or redevelopment, conditioned on the completion of such development or redevelopment in accordance with the approved plan; provided that the requirement of the bond may be waived by the Department if it is satisfied of the financial ability of the purchaser or lessee to complete such development or redevelopment in accordance with the approved plan. To further assure that the real property so sold or leased shall be used in accordance with the plan, the Department may require the purchaser or lessee to execute in writing such undertakings as the Department deems necessary to obligate such purchaser or lessee (1) to use the property for the purposes presented in plans; (2) to commence and complete the building of the improvements designated in the plan within the periods of time that the Department fixes as reasonable; and (3) to comply with such other conditions as are necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act. Any such property may be sold pursuant to this section for any legal consideration in an amount to be approved by the Department.

If the area of operation of a housing authority includes a city, village or incorporated town having a population in excess of 500,000 as determined by the last preceding Federal census, no real property or interest in real property shall be acquired in such municipality by the housing authority until such time as the housing authority has advised the governing body of such municipality of the description of the real property, or interest therein, proposed to be acquired, and the governing body of the municipality has approved the acquisition thereof by the housing authority.

A "blighted or slum area" means any area of not less, in the aggregate, than one acre, excepting that in any municipality having a population in excess of 500,000, as determined by the last preceding Federal census, a "blighted or slum area" means any area of not less in the aggregate of2 acres which area, in either case, has been designated by municipal ordinance or by the Authority as an integrated project for rehabilitation, development or redevelopment, where (a) buildings or improvements, by reason of dilapidation, obsolescence, overcrowding, faulty arrangement or design, lack of ventilation, light or sanitary facilities, excessive land coverage, deleterious land use or layout or any combination of these factors, are a detriment to public safety, health or morals, or welfare, or (b) there exists platted land which is predominantly open and which, because of obsolete platting, diversity of ownership, deterioration of structures or of site improvements, or otherwise substantially impairs or arrests the sound growth of the community and which is to be developed for predominantly residential uses, or (c) there exists open unplatted land necessary for sound community growth which is to be developed for predominantly residential uses, or (d) parcels of land remain undeveloped because of improper platting, delinquent taxes or special assessments, scattered or uncertain ownerships, clouds on title, artificial values due to excessive utility costs, or any other impediment to the use of such area for predominantly residential uses; provided, that if in any city, village or incorporated town there exists a land clearance commission, created under the Blighted Areas Redevelopment Act of 1947 (repealed) prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly, having the same area of operation as a housing authority created in and for any such municipality, such housing authority shall have no power to acquire land of the character described in sub-paragraphs (b), (c) or (d) of the definition of "blighted or slum area", in this paragraph for the purpose of development or redevelopment by private enterprise.

The Housing Authority shall have power to hold or use any such property for uses authorized by this Act, or to sell, lease or exchange such property as is not required for such uses by the Authority. In case of sale or lease to other than a public corporation or public agency, notice shall be given and bids shall be received in the manner provided by Section 11-76-2 of the Illinois Municipal Code, as amended, and bids may be accepted by vote of three of the five Commissioners of the Authority; provided, however, that such requirement of notice and bidding shall not apply to a sale or lease to any individual, association or corporation described in the preceding paragraph; nor to a sale or lease of an individual dwelling unit in a project, to be used by the purchaser as a dwelling for his family; nor to a sale or lease of a project or part thereof to an association to be so used by its members. In case of exchange of property for property privately owned, three disinterested appraisers shall be appointed to appraise the value of the property to be exchanged, and such exchange shall not be made unless the property to be received by the Authority is equal or greater in value than the property to be exchanged therefor, or if less than such value, that the difference shall be paid in money.

(Source: P.A. 102-510, eff. 8-20-21.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/10) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 10)

Sec. 10. All projects of an Authority shall be subject to the planning, zoning, sanitary and building laws, ordinances and regulations applicable to the locality in which the project is to be situated.

(Source: Laws 1933-34, Third Sp. Sess., p. 159.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/11) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 11)

Sec. 11. An Authority shall have power to issue bonds from time to time in its discretion to finance in whole or in part the cost of acquisition, purchase, construction, reconstruction, improvement, alteration, extension or repair of any project or undertaking hereunder. An Authority shall also have power to issue refunding bonds for the purpose of paying or retiring bonds previously issued by it. An Authority may issue such types of bonds as it may determine by resolution, including bonds on which the principal and interest are payable; (a) exclusively from the income and revenues of the housing project financed with the proceeds of such bonds (including, without limitation, income and revenues derived from a loan agreement with respect to a project located within the municipality having a population in excess of 1,000,000), or with such proceeds together with a grant from the Federal Government or any political subdivision of the State in aid of such project; (b) exclusively from the income and revenues of certain designated housing projects of such Authority whether or not they were financed in whole or in part with the proceeds of such bonds; or (c) from its revenues generally. Any of such bonds may be additionally secured by a pledge of any revenues of any housing project, projects or other property of the Authority.

In addition to powers conferred by this Act and other laws concerning housing authorities in general, an Authority for a municipality having a population in excess of 1,000,000 may grant a specific pledge or assignment of, and lien on or security interest in, the income and revenues of the Authority derived from the loan agreement with respect to the project or projects, as well as in any reserves, funds, or accounts established in the resolution authorizing the bonds or the indenture or other instrument under which the bonds are issued. As evidence of such pledge, assignment, lien, and security interest, the Authority may execute and deliver a mortgage, trust agreement, indenture, security agreement, or an assignment thereof. The provisions of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly create additional powers for housing authorities having a population in excess of 1,000,000; these provisions do not limit the powers conferred on housing authorities in general.

Neither the commissioners of an Authority nor any person executing the bonds shall be liable personally on the bonds by reason of the issuance thereof. The bonds and other obligations of an Authority (and such bonds and obligations shall so state on their face) shall not be a debt of any city, village, incorporated town, county, the State or any political subdivision thereof and neither the city, village, incorporated town or the county, nor the State or any political subdivision thereof shall be liable thereon, nor in any event shall such bonds or obligations be payable out of any funds or properties other than those of said Authority. The bonds shall not constitute an indebtedness within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory debt limitation or restriction.

(Source: P.A. 92-481, eff. 8-23-01.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/12) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 12)

Sec. 12. An Authority may, in connection with the borrowing of funds, or otherwise, enter into any agreement with the federal government or any agency or instrumentality thereof, providing for supervision and control of the Authority or any project, and containing such other covenants, terms and conditions as the Authority may deem advisable.

(Source: P.A. 87-200.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/13) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 13)

Sec. 13. The Department may, in its discretion, prescribe methods and forms for keeping accounts, records and books to be used by an Authority, and prescribe accounts to which particular outlays and receipts shall be entered, charged, or credited. The Department may require an Authority to file periodical reports, but not more frequently than quarterly, covering its operations and activities in a form prescribed by the Department. The Department may also, from time to time, require an Authority to provide specific answers to questions on subjects when the Department desires information on those subjects.

The Department may investigate the conditions and affairs of an Authority, its dealings, transactions or relationships and the manner in which projects are managed, and may through its members or employees enter upon and inspect the property, equipment, buildings, plants and offices of an Authority and examine its books, contracts, records, documents and papers.

Every Authority shall further be subject to the further powers of supervision of the Department provided in Sections 27, 28 and 29 of the State Housing Act. This Section shall not apply with reference to any project financed in whole or in part by federal funds, so long as such project is supervised or controlled by the federal government or any agency or instrumentality thereof or designee or nominee thereof.

(Source: P.A. 87-200.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/14) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 14)

Sec. 14. Approval of projects by Department. Prior to the acquisition of title to any real property an Authority shall submit to the Department data as to the location and cost of the property, and prior to the undertaking of any construction or other initiation of a project an Authority shall submit to the Department the proposed plans, specifications and estimates of the costs and a statement of the proposed methods of financing and operating the project. An Authority shall not finally acquire title to any real estate nor undertake the construction or operation of a project without the approval of the Department; provided that, if the Department shall fail within thirty days after receipt thereof to state its disapproval of the proposals or such modifications thereof as it may deem desirable, the proposals shall be deemed to have been approved as submitted. No change involving an expenditure of more than twenty-five hundred dollars ($2500) shall be made in any proposal approved by the Department without submission to the Department in the manner prescribed in this Section. The provisions of this Section shall not apply with reference to any project which is or is to be financed in whole or in part by the federal government or any agency or instrumentality thereof or undertaken pursuant to the additional powers conferred in Section 8.2 upon housing authorities in any municipality or county having a population in excess of 1,000,000.

(Source: P.A. 101-632, eff. 6-5-20.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/17) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 17)

(Text of Section from P.A. 101-659)

Sec. 17. Definitions. The following terms, wherever used or referred to in this Act shall have the following respective meanings, unless in any case a different meaning clearly appears from the context:

(a) "Authority" or "housing authority" shall mean a municipal corporation organized in accordance with the provisions of this Act for the purposes, with the powers and subject to the restrictions herein set forth.

(b) "Area" or "area of operation" shall mean: (1) in the case of an authority which is created hereunder for a city, village, or incorporated town, the area within the territorial boundaries of said city, village, or incorporated town, and so long as no county housing authority has jurisdiction therein, the area within three miles from such territorial boundaries, except any part of such area located within the territorial boundaries of any other city, village, or incorporated town; and (2) in the case of a county shall include all of the county except the area of any city, village or incorporated town located therein in which there is an Authority. When an authority is created for a county subsequent to the creation of an authority for a city, village or incorporated town within the same county, the area of operation of the authority for such city, village or incorporated town shall thereafter be limited to the territory of such city, village or incorporated town, but the authority for such city, village or incorporated town may continue to operate any project developed in whole or in part in an area previously a part of its area of operation, or may contract with the county housing authority with respect to the sale, lease, development or administration of such project. When an authority is created for a city, village or incorporated town subsequent to the creation of a county housing authority which previously included such city, village or incorporated town within its area of operation, such county housing authority shall have no power to create any additional project within the city, village or incorporated town, but any existing project in the city, village or incorporated town currently owned and operated by the county housing authority shall remain in the ownership, operation, custody and control of the county housing authority.

(b-5) "Criminal history record" means a record of arrest, complaint, indictment, or any disposition arising therefrom.

(b-6) "Criminal history report" means any written, oral, or other communication of information that includes criminal history record information about a natural person that is produced by a law enforcement agency, a court, a consumer reporting agency, or a housing screening agency or business.

(c) "Presiding officer" shall mean the presiding officer of the board of a county, or the mayor or president of a city, village or incorporated town, as the case may be, for which an Authority is created hereunder.

(d) "Commissioner" shall mean one of the members of an Authority appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

(e) "Government" shall include the State and Federal governments and the governments of any subdivisions, agency or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise, of either of them.

(f) "Department" shall mean the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

(g) "Project" shall include all lands, buildings, and improvements, acquired, owned, leased, managed or operated by a housing authority, and all buildings and improvements constructed, reconstructed or repaired by a housing authority, designed to provide housing accommodations and facilities appurtenant thereto (including community facilities and stores) which are planned as a unit, whether or not acquired or constructed at one time even though all or a portion of the buildings are not contiguous or adjacent to one another; and the planning of buildings and improvements, the acquisition of property, the demolition of existing structures, the clearing of land, the construction, reconstruction, and repair of buildings or improvements and all other work in connection therewith. As provided in Sections 8.14 to 8.18, inclusive, "project" also means, for Housing Authorities for municipalities of less than 500,000 population and for counties, the conservation of urban areas in accordance with an approved conservation plan. "Project" shall also include (1) acquisition of (i) a slum or blighted area or a deteriorated or deteriorating area which is predominantly residential in character, or (ii) any other deteriorated or deteriorating area which is to be developed or redeveloped for predominantly residential uses, or (iii) platted urban or suburban land which is predominantly open and which because of obsolete platting, diversity of ownership, deterioration of structures or of site improvements, or otherwise substantially impairs or arrests the sound growth of the community and which is to be developed for predominantly residential uses, or (iv) open unplatted urban or suburban land necessary for sound community growth which is to be developed for predominantly residential uses, or (v) any other area where parcels of land remain undeveloped because of improper platting, delinquent taxes or special assessments, scattered or uncertain ownerships, clouds on title, artificial values due to excessive utility costs, or any other impediments to the use of such area for predominantly residential uses; (2) installation, construction, or reconstruction of streets, utilities, and other site improvements essential to the preparation of sites for uses in accordance with the development or redevelopment plan; and (3) making the land available for development or redevelopment by private enterprise or public agencies (including sale, initial leasing, or retention by the local public agency itself). If in any city, village or incorporated town there exists a land clearance commission created under the "Blighted Areas Redevelopment Act of 1947" having the same area of operation as a housing authority created in and for any such municipality such housing authority shall have no power to acquire land of the character described in subparagraph (iii), (iv) or (v) of paragraph 1 of the definition of "project" for the purpose of development or redevelopment by private enterprise.

(h) "Community facilities" shall include lands, buildings, and equipment for recreation or social assembly, for education, health or welfare activities and other necessary utilities primarily for use and benefit of the occupants of housing accommodations to be constructed, reconstructed, repaired or operated hereunder.

(i) "Real property" shall include lands, lands under water, structures, and any and all easements, franchises and incorporeal hereditaments and estates, and rights, legal and equitable, including terms for years and liens by way of judgment, mortgage or otherwise.

(j) The term "governing body" shall include the city council of any city, the president and board of trustees of any village or incorporated town, the council of any city or village, and the county board of any county.

(k) The phrase "individual, association, corporation or organization" shall include any individual, private corporation, limited or general partnership, limited liability company, insurance company, housing corporation, neighborhood redevelopment corporation, non-profit corporation, incorporated or unincorporated group or association, educational institution, hospital, or charitable organization, and any mutual ownership or cooperative organization.

(l) "Conservation area", for the purpose of the exercise of the powers granted in Sections 8.14 to 8.18, inclusive, for housing authorities for municipalities of less than 500,000 population and for counties, means an area of not less than 2 acres in which the structures in 50% or more of the area are residential having an average age of 35 years or more. Such an area is not yet a slum or blighted area as defined in the Blighted Areas Redevelopment Act of 1947, but such an area by reason of dilapidation, obsolescence, deterioration or illegal use of individual structures, overcrowding of structures and community facilities, conversion of residential units into non-residential use, deleterious land use or layout, decline of physical maintenance, lack of community planning, or any combination of these factors may become a slum and blighted area.

(m) "Conservation plan" means the comprehensive program for the physical development and replanning of a "Conservation Area" as defined in paragraph (l) embodying the steps required to prevent such Conservation Area from becoming a slum and blighted area.

(n) "Fair use value" means the fair cash market value of real property when employed for the use contemplated by a "Conservation Plan" in municipalities of less than 500,000 population and in counties.

(o) "Community facilities" means, in relation to a "Conservation Plan", those physical plants which implement, support and facilitate the activities, services and interests of education, recreation, shopping, health, welfare, religion and general culture.

(p) "Loan agreement" means any agreement pursuant to which an Authority agrees to loan the proceeds of its revenue bonds issued with respect to a multifamily rental housing project or other funds of the Authority to any person upon terms providing for loan repayment installments at least sufficient to pay when due all principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the revenue bonds of the Authority issued with respect to the multifamily rental housing project, and providing for maintenance, insurance, and other matters as may be deemed desirable by the Authority.

(q) "Multifamily rental housing" means any rental project designed for mixed-income or low-income occupancy.

(Source: P.A. 101-659, eff. 3-23-21.)

(Text of Section from P.A. 102-510)

Sec. 17. Definitions. The following terms, wherever used or referred to in this Act shall have the following respective meanings, unless in any case a different meaning clearly appears from the context:

(a) "Authority" or "housing authority" shall mean a municipal corporation organized in accordance with the provisions of this Act for the purposes, with the powers and subject to the restrictions herein set forth.

(b) "Area" or "area of operation" shall mean: (1) in the case of an authority which is created hereunder for a city, village, or incorporated town, the area within the territorial boundaries of said city, village, or incorporated town, and so long as no county housing authority has jurisdiction therein, the area within three miles from such territorial boundaries, except any part of such area located within the territorial boundaries of any other city, village, or incorporated town; and (2) in the case of a county shall include all of the county except the area of any city, village or incorporated town located therein in which there is an Authority. When an authority is created for a county subsequent to the creation of an authority for a city, village or incorporated town within the same county, the area of operation of the authority for such city, village or incorporated town shall thereafter be limited to the territory of such city, village or incorporated town, but the authority for such city, village or incorporated town may continue to operate any project developed in whole or in part in an area previously a part of its area of operation, or may contract with the county housing authority with respect to the sale, lease, development or administration of such project. When an authority is created for a city, village or incorporated town subsequent to the creation of a county housing authority which previously included such city, village or incorporated town within its area of operation, such county housing authority shall have no power to create any additional project within the city, village or incorporated town, but any existing project in the city, village or incorporated town currently owned and operated by the county housing authority shall remain in the ownership, operation, custody and control of the county housing authority.

(c) "Presiding officer" shall mean the presiding officer of the board of a county, or the mayor or president of a city, village or incorporated town, as the case may be, for which an Authority is created hereunder.

(d) "Commissioner" shall mean one of the members of an Authority appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

(e) "Government" shall include the State and Federal governments and the governments of any subdivisions, agency or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise, of either of them.

(f) "Department" shall mean the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

(g) "Project" shall include all lands, buildings, and improvements, acquired, owned, leased, managed or operated by a housing authority, and all buildings and improvements constructed, reconstructed or repaired by a housing authority, designed to provide housing accommodations and facilities appurtenant thereto (including community facilities and stores) which are planned as a unit, whether or not acquired or constructed at one time even though all or a portion of the buildings are not contiguous or adjacent to one another; and the planning of buildings and improvements, the acquisition of property, the demolition of existing structures, the clearing of land, the construction, reconstruction, and repair of buildings or improvements and all other work in connection therewith. As provided in Sections 8.14 to 8.18, inclusive, "project" also means, for Housing Authorities for municipalities of less than 500,000 population and for counties, the conservation of urban areas in accordance with an approved conservation plan. "Project" shall also include (1) acquisition of (i) a slum or blighted area or a deteriorated or deteriorating area which is predominantly residential in character, or (ii) any other deteriorated or deteriorating area which is to be developed or redeveloped for predominantly residential uses, or (iii) platted urban or suburban land which is predominantly open and which because of obsolete platting, diversity of ownership, deterioration of structures or of site improvements, or otherwise substantially impairs or arrests the sound growth of the community and which is to be developed for predominantly residential uses, or (iv) open unplatted urban or suburban land necessary for sound community growth which is to be developed for predominantly residential uses, or (v) any other area where parcels of land remain undeveloped because of improper platting, delinquent taxes or special assessments, scattered or uncertain ownerships, clouds on title, artificial values due to excessive utility costs, or any other impediments to the use of such area for predominantly residential uses; (2) installation, construction, or reconstruction of streets, utilities, and other site improvements essential to the preparation of sites for uses in accordance with the development or redevelopment plan; and (3) making the land available for development or redevelopment by private enterprise or public agencies (including sale, initial leasing, or retention by the local public agency itself). If in any city, village or incorporated town there exists a land clearance commission created under the Blighted Areas Redevelopment Act of 1947 (repealed) prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly having the same area of operation as a housing authority created in and for any such municipality such housing authority shall have no power to acquire land of the character described in subparagraph (iii), (iv) or (v) of paragraph 1 of the definition of "project" for the purpose of development or redevelopment by private enterprise.

(h) "Community facilities" shall include lands, buildings, and equipment for recreation or social assembly, for education, health or welfare activities and other necessary utilities primarily for use and benefit of the occupants of housing accommodations to be constructed, reconstructed, repaired or operated hereunder.

(i) "Real property" shall include lands, lands under water, structures, and any and all easements, franchises and incorporeal hereditaments and estates, and rights, legal and equitable, including terms for years and liens by way of judgment, mortgage or otherwise.

(j) The term "governing body" shall include the city council of any city, the president and board of trustees of any village or incorporated town, the council of any city or village, and the county board of any county.

(k) The phrase "individual, association, corporation or organization" shall include any individual, private corporation, limited or general partnership, limited liability company, insurance company, housing corporation, neighborhood redevelopment corporation, non-profit corporation, incorporated or unincorporated group or association, educational institution, hospital, or charitable organization, and any mutual ownership or cooperative organization.

(l) "Conservation area", for the purpose of the exercise of the powers granted in Sections 8.14 to 8.18, inclusive, for housing authorities for municipalities of less than 500,000 population and for counties, means an area of not less than 2 acres in which the structures in 50% or more of the area are residential having an average age of 35 years or more. Such an area by reason of dilapidation, obsolescence, deterioration or illegal use of individual structures, overcrowding of structures and community facilities, conversion of residential units into non-residential use, deleterious land use or layout, decline of physical maintenance, lack of community planning, or any combination of these factors may become a slum and blighted area.

(m) "Conservation plan" means the comprehensive program for the physical development and replanning of a "Conservation Area" as defined in paragraph (l) embodying the steps required to prevent such Conservation Area from becoming a slum and blighted area.

(n) "Fair use value" means the fair cash market value of real property when employed for the use contemplated by a "Conservation Plan" in municipalities of less than 500,000 population and in counties.

(o) "Community facilities" means, in relation to a "Conservation Plan", those physical plants which implement, support and facilitate the activities, services and interests of education, recreation, shopping, health, welfare, religion and general culture.

(p) "Loan agreement" means any agreement pursuant to which an Authority agrees to loan the proceeds of its revenue bonds issued with respect to a multifamily rental housing project or other funds of the Authority to any person upon terms providing for loan repayment installments at least sufficient to pay when due all principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the revenue bonds of the Authority issued with respect to the multifamily rental housing project, and providing for maintenance, insurance, and other matters as may be deemed desirable by the Authority.

(q) "Multifamily rental housing" means any rental project designed for mixed-income or low-income occupancy.

(Source: P.A. 102-510, eff. 8-20-21.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/17.1) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 17.1)

Sec. 17.1. Within the definition of "project" in Section 17 and the powers granted to Housing Authorities by this Act and "An Act to facilitate the development and construction of housing, to provide governmental assistance therefor, and to repeal an Act herein named," approved July 2, 1947, as amended, Housing Authorities may enter into agreements or otherwise cooperate with any authorized agency of the federal government in aid of the development of housing for aged persons in need of and unable to secure decent, safe and sanitary housing and who qualify by federal law and regulations for low rent or other housing facilities, the construction or financing of which is to be assisted in whole or in part by federal funds.

The Department may undertake studies to determine the desirability of extending by legislation the powers of Housing Authorities to assist private construction and development of nursing and convalescent homes for aged or other persons in need of medical or nursing services or care.

(Source: P.A. 81-1509.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/18) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 18)

Sec. 18. If any section, subdivision, sentence, or clause of this Act is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Act.

(Source: Laws 1933-34, Third Sp. Sess., p. 159.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/20) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 20)

Sec. 20. Bonds of an Authority shall be authorized by its resolution and may be issued in one or more series and shall bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times, bear interest at such rate or rates not exceeding the maximum rate permitted in "An Act to authorize public corporations to issue bonds, other evidences of indebtedness and tax anticipation warrants subject to interest rate limitations set forth therein", approved May 26, 1970, as now or hereafter amended, be in such denomination or denominations, be in such form, either coupon or registered, carry such conversion or registration privileges, have such rank or priority, be executed in such manner, be payable in such medium of payment at such place or places, and be subject to such terms of redemption (with or without premium) as such resolution or its trust indenture or the bonds so issued may provide.

The bonds may be sold at not less than par and accrued interest, at public or private sale.

In case any of the commissioners or officers of the Authority whose signatures appear on any bonds or coupons, shall cease to be such commissioners or officers before the delivery of such bonds, such signatures shall, nevertheless, be valid and sufficient for all purposes, the same as if such commissioners or officers had remained in office until such delivery. Any bonds issued pursuant to this Act shall be fully negotiable.

In any suit, action or proceedings involving the validity or enforceability of any bond of an Authority or the security therefor, any such bond reciting in substance that it has been issued by the Authority to aid in financing a housing project to provide dwelling accommodations for persons of low income or to aid in slum clearance or land assembly for redevelopment purposes or for any other purposes authorized by this Act shall be conclusively deemed to have been issued for a project of such character and said project shall be conclusively deemed to have been planned, located and constructed in accordance with the purposes and provisions of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 82-902.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/21) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 21)

Sec. 21. In connection with the issuance of bonds or the incurring of obligations under leases and in order to secure the payment of such bonds or obligations, an Authority, in addition to its other powers, shall have power:

(a) To pledge all or any part of its gross or net rents, fees or revenues to which its right then exists or may thereafter come into existence.

(b) To covenant against pledging all or any part of its rents, fees and revenues, or against permitting or allowing any lien on such revenues or property; to covenant with respect to limitations on its right to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any housing project or any part thereof; and to covenant as to what other, or additional debts or obligations may be incurred by it.

(c) To covenant as to the bonds to be issued and as to the issuance of such bonds in escrow or otherwise, and as to the use and disposition of the proceeds thereof: to provide for the replacement of lost, destroyed or mutilated bonds; to covenant against extending the time for the payment of its bonds or interest thereon; and to redeem the bonds, and to covenant for their redemption and to provide the terms and conditions thereof.

(d) To covenant (subject to the limitations contained in this Act) as to the rents and fees to be charged in the operation of a housing project or projects, the amount to be raised each year or other period of time by rents, fees and other revenues, and as to the use and disposition to be made thereof; to create or to authorize the creation of special funds for moneys held for construction or operating costs, debt service, reserves, or other purposes, and to covenant as to the use and disposition of the moneys held in such funds.

(e) To prescribe the procedure, if any, by which the terms of any contract with bondholders may be amended or abrogated, the amount of bonds the holders of which must consent thereto and the manner in which such consent may be given.

(f) To covenant as to the use of any or all of its real or personal property; and to covenant as to the maintenance of its real and personal property, the replacement thereof, the insurance to be carried thereon and the use and disposition of insurance moneys.

(g) To covenant as to the rights, liabilities, powers and duties arising upon the breach by it of any covenant, condition, or obligation; and to covenant and prescribe as to events of default and terms and conditions upon which any or all of its bonds or obligations shall become or may be declared due before maturity, and as to the terms and conditions upon which such declaration and its consequences may be waived.

(h) To vest in a trustee or trustees or the holders of bonds or any specified proportion of them the right to enforce the payment of the bonds or any covenants securing or relating to the bonds; to vest in a trustee or trustees the right, in the event of a default by the Authority, to take possession of any housing project or part thereof, and (so long as the Authority shall continue in default) to retain such possession and use, operate and manage the project, and to collect the rents and revenues arising therefrom and to dispose of such moneys in accordance with the agreement of the Authority with the trustee; to provide for the powers and duties of a trustee or trustees and to limit the liabilities thereof; and to provide the terms and conditions upon which the trustee or trustees or the holders of bonds or any proportion of them may enforce any covenant or rights securing or relating to the bonds.

(i) In the case of an Authority for a municipality having a population in excess of 1,000,000, to enter into loan agreements, regulatory agreements, and all other instruments or documentation with private borrowers of the proceeds of the Authority's multifamily housing revenue bonds and to accept guaranties from persons of its loans or the resultant evidences of obligations to the Authority. The provisions of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly create additional powers for housing authorities having a population in excess of 1,000,000; these provisions do not limit the powers conferred on housing authorities in general.

(j) To exercise all or any part or combination of the powers herein granted; to make covenants other than and in addition to the covenants herein expressly authorized, of like or different character; to make such covenants and to do any and all such acts and things as may be necessary or convenient or desirable in order to secure its bonds, or, in the absolute discretion of the Authority, as will tend to make the bonds more marketable notwithstanding that such covenants, acts or things may not be enumerated herein.

(Source: P.A. 92-481, eff. 8-23-01.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/22) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 22)

Sec. 22. A bondholder or trustee for a bondholder shall have the right in addition to all other rights which may be conferred on such bondholder or trustee, subject only to any contractual restrictions binding upon such bondholder or trustee:

(a) By mandamus, injunction or other civil action to compel said Authority and the commissioners, officers, agents or employees thereof to perform each and every term, provision and covenant contained in any contract of said authority with or for the benefit of such bondholder or trustee, and to require the carrying out of any or all such covenants and agreements of said Authority and the fulfillment of all duties imposed upon said Authority by this Act.

(b) By civil action to enjoin any acts or things which may be unlawful, or the violation of any of the rights of such bondholders.

(Source: P.A. 83-345.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/23) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 23)

Sec. 23. An Authority shall have power by its resolution, trust indenture, lease or other contract to confer upon any bondholder, or any trustee for a bondholder, holding or representing a specified amount in bonds the right (in addition to all rights that may otherwise be conferred), upon the happening of an event of default as defined in such resolution or instrument, by suit, action or proceeding in any circuit court:

(a) To cause possession of any housing project or any part thereof to be surrendered to any such bondholder or trustee, which possession may be retained by such bondholder or trustee so long as the Authority shall continue in default.

(b) To obtain the appointment of a receiver of any housing project of said Authority or any part thereof and of the rents and profits therefrom. If such receiver be appointed, he may enter and take possession of such housing project or any part thereof and (so long as the Authority shall continue in default) operate and maintain same, and collect and receive all fees, rents, revenues, or other charges thereafter arising therefrom, and shall keep such moneys in a separate account or accounts and apply the same in accordance with the obligations of said Authority as the court shall direct.

(c) To require said authority and the commissioners thereof to account as if it and they were the trustees of an express trust.

(Source: P.A. 79-1362.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/24) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 24)

Sec. 24. Management and operation of housing projects. It is hereby declared to be the policy of this State that each housing authority shall manage and operate its housing projects in an efficient manner so as to enable it to fix the rentals for dwellings at the lowest possible rates consistent with its providing decent, safe and sanitary and affordable dwellings, and that no Housing Authority shall construct or operate any project for profit, or as a source of revenue to a city, village, incorporated town or county. To this end an Authority shall fix the rentals for dwellings in its projects at no higher rates than it shall find to be necessary in order to produce revenues which (together with all other available moneys, revenues, income and receipts of the Authority from whatever sources derived) will be sufficient (a) to pay, as the same becomes due, the principal and interest on the bonds of the Authority; (b) to meet and provide for the cost of maintaining and operating the projects (including the cost of any insurance on the projects or bonds issued therefor) and the administrative expenses of the Authority; (c) to create (during not less than the ten years immediately succeeding its issuance of any bonds) a reserve sufficient to meet the large principal and interest payments which will be due on bonds in any 2 consecutive years thereafter, and to maintain a reserve; and (d) to create a reasonable reserve solely from any contributions or grants to the Authority from the federal government, the State, or any political subdivision of the State for the purpose of meeting the cost of maintaining and operating the project and of paying the principal and interest on its bonds. The management of low-rent public housing projects financed and developed under the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, as now or hereafter amended, shall be in accordance with the provisions of that Act. The provisions of this Section 24 shall not apply to any project undertaken pursuant to the additional powers conferred in Section 8.2 upon housing authorities in any municipality or county having a population in excess of 1,000,000.

(Source: P.A. 101-632, eff. 6-5-20.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/25) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 25)

(Text of Section from P.A. 101-659)

Sec. 25. Rentals and tenant selection. In the operation or management of housing projects an Authority shall at all times observe the following duties with respect to rentals and tenant selection:

(a) It shall not accept any person as a tenant in any dwelling in a housing project if the persons who would occupy the dwelling have an aggregate annual income which equals or exceeds the amount which the Authority determines (which determination shall be conclusive) to be necessary in order to enable such persons to secure safe, sanitary and uncongested dwelling accommodations within the area of operation of the Authority and to provide an adequate standard of living for themselves.

(b) It may rent or lease the dwelling accommodations therein only at rentals within the financial reach of persons who lack the amount of income which it determines (pursuant to (a) of this Section) to be necessary in order to obtain safe, sanitary and uncongested dwelling accommodations within the area of operation of the Authority and to provide an adequate standard of living.

(c) It may rent or lease to a tenant a dwelling consisting of the number of rooms (but no greater number) which it deems necessary to provide safe and sanitary accommodations to the proposed occupants thereof, without overcrowding.

(d) It shall not change the residency preference of any prospective tenant once the application has been accepted by the authority.

(e) If an Authority desires a criminal history records check of all 50 states or a 50-state confirmation of a conviction record, the Authority shall submit the fingerprints of the relevant applicant, tenant, or other household member to the Department of State Police in a manner prescribed by the Department of State Police. These fingerprints shall be checked against the fingerprint records now and hereafter filed in the Department of State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history records databases. The Department of State Police shall charge a fee for conducting the criminal history records check, which shall be deposited in the State Police Services Fund and shall not exceed the actual cost of the records check. The Department of State Police shall furnish pursuant to positive identification, records of conviction to the Authority. An Authority that requests a criminal history report of an applicant or other household member shall inform the applicant at the time of the request that the applicant or other household member may provide additional mitigating information for consideration with the application for housing.

(e-5) Criminal history record assessment. The Authority shall use the following process when evaluating the criminal history report of an applicant or other household member to determine whether to rent or lease to the applicant:

  • (1) Unless required by federal law, the Authority shall not consider the following information when determining whether to rent or lease to an applicant for housing:
    • (A) an arrest or detention;
    • (B) criminal charges or indictments, and the nature of any disposition arising therefrom, that do not result in a conviction;
    • (C) a conviction that has been vacated, ordered, expunged, sealed, or impounded by a court;
    • (D) matters under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Juvenile Court;
    • (E) the amount of time since the applicant or other household member completed his or her sentence in prison or jail or was released from prison or jail; or
    • (F) convictions occurring more than 180 days prior to the date the applicant submitted his or her application for housing.
  • (2) The Authority shall create a system for the independent review of criminal history reports:
    • (A) the reviewer shall examine the applicant's or other household member's criminal history report and report only those records not prohibited under paragraph (1) to the person or persons making the decision about whether to offer housing to the applicant; and
    • (B) the reviewer shall not participate in any final decisions on an applicant's application for housing.
  • (3) The Authority may deny an applicant's application for housing because of the applicant's or another household member's criminal history record, only if the Authority:
    • (A) determines that the denial is required under federal law; or
    • (B) determines that there is a direct relationship between the applicant or the other household member's criminal history record and a risk to the health, safety, and peaceful enjoyment of fellow tenants. The mere existence of a criminal history record does not demonstrate such a risk.

(f) It may, if a tenant has created or maintained a threat constituting a serious and clear danger to the health or safety of other tenants or Authority employees, after 3 days' written notice of termination and without a hearing, file suit against any such tenant for recovery of possession of the premises. The tenant shall be given the opportunity to contest the termination in the court proceedings. A serious and clear danger to the health or safety of other tenants or Authority employees shall include, but not be limited to, any of the following activities of the tenant or of any other person on the premises with the consent of the tenant:

  • (1) Physical assault or the threat of physical assault.
  • (2) Illegal use of a firearm or other weapon or the threat to use in an illegal manner a firearm or other weapon.
  • (3) Possession of a controlled substance by the tenant or any other person on the premises with the consent of the tenant if the tenant knew or should have known of the possession by the other person of a controlled substance, unless the controlled substance was obtained directly from or pursuant to a valid prescription.
  • (4) Streetgang membership as defined in the Illinois Streetgang Terrorism Omnibus Prevention Act.

The management of low-rent public housing projects financed and developed under the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 shall be in accordance with that Act.

Nothing contained in this Section or any other Section of this Act shall be construed as limiting the power of an Authority to vest in a bondholder or trustee the right, in the event of a default by the Authority, to take possession and operate a housing project or cause the appointment of a receiver thereof, free from all restrictions imposed by this Section or any other Section of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 101-659, eff. 3-23-21.)

(Text of Section from P.A. 102-538)

Sec. 25. Rentals and tenant selection. In the operation or management of housing projects an Authority shall at all times observe the following duties with respect to rentals and tenant selection:

(a) It shall not accept any person as a tenant in any dwelling in a housing project if the persons who would occupy the dwelling have an aggregate annual income which equals or exceeds the amount which the Authority determines (which determination shall be conclusive) to be necessary in order to enable such persons to secure safe, sanitary and uncongested dwelling accommodations within the area of operation of the Authority and to provide an adequate standard of living for themselves.

(b) It may rent or lease the dwelling accommodations therein only at rentals within the financial reach of persons who lack the amount of income which it determines (pursuant to (a) of this Section) to be necessary in order to obtain safe, sanitary and uncongested dwelling accommodations within the area of operation of the Authority and to provide an adequate standard of living.

(c) It may rent or lease to a tenant a dwelling consisting of the number of rooms (but no greater number) which it deems necessary to provide safe and sanitary accommodations to the proposed occupants thereof, without overcrowding.

(d) It shall not change the residency preference of any prospective tenant once the application has been accepted by the authority.

(e) It may refuse to certify or recertify applicants, current tenants, or other household members if, after due notice and an impartial hearing, that person or any of the proposed occupants of the dwelling has, prior to or during a term of tenancy or occupancy in any housing project operated by an Authority, been convicted of a criminal offense relating to the sale or distribution of controlled substances under the laws of this State, the United States or any other state. If an Authority desires a criminal history records check of all 50 states or a 50-state confirmation of a conviction record, the Authority shall submit the fingerprints of the relevant applicant, tenant, or other household member to the Illinois State Police in a manner prescribed by the Illinois State Police. These fingerprints shall be checked against the fingerprint records now and hereafter filed in the Illinois State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history records databases. The Illinois State Police shall charge a fee for conducting the criminal history records check, which shall be deposited in the State Police Services Fund and shall not exceed the actual cost of the records check. The Illinois State Police shall furnish pursuant to positive identification, records of conviction to the Authority.

(f) It may, if a tenant has created or maintained a threat constituting a serious and clear danger to the health or safety of other tenants or Authority employees, after 3 days' written notice of termination and without a hearing, file suit against any such tenant for recovery of possession of the premises. The tenant shall be given the opportunity to contest the termination in the court proceedings. A serious and clear danger to the health or safety of other tenants or Authority employees shall include, but not be limited to, any of the following activities of the tenant or of any other person on the premises with the consent of the tenant:

  • (1) Physical assault or the threat of physical assault.
  • (2) Illegal use of a firearm or other weapon or the threat to use in an illegal manner a firearm or other weapon.
  • (3) Possession of a controlled substance by the tenant or any other person on the premises with the consent of the tenant if the tenant knew or should have known of the possession by the other person of a controlled substance, unless the controlled substance was obtained directly from or pursuant to a valid prescription.
  • (4) Streetgang membership as defined in the Illinois Streetgang Terrorism Omnibus Prevention Act.

The management of low-rent public housing projects financed and developed under the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 shall be in accordance with that Act.

Nothing contained in this Section or any other Section of this Act shall be construed as limiting the power of an Authority to vest in a bondholder or trustee the right, in the event of a default by the Authority, to take possession and operate a housing project or cause the appointment of a receiver thereof, free from all restrictions imposed by this Section or any other Section of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/25.01)

Sec. 25.01. Notification. Before denying an applicant's housing application based, in whole or in part, on a criminal history record permitted under this Act, the Authority shall provide the opportunity for an individual assessment. The applicant for housing shall be provided with a clear, written notice that:

  • (1) explains why the Authority has determined that the criminal history report it obtained requires further review, including detailed information on whether the need for further review is based on federal law or on the Authority's determination that the criminal history record of the applicant or other household member indicates a risk to the health, safety, or peaceful enjoyment of housing for other residents;
  • (2) identifies the specific conviction or convictions upon which the Authority relied upon when making its decision to deny the applicant's housing application;
  • (3) explains that the applicant has a right to an individualized criminal records assessment hearing regarding the Authority's decision to deny the applicant's housing application, as set forth in Section 25.02;
  • (4) provides clear instructions on what to expect during an individualized criminal records assessment hearing, as set forth in Section 25.02;
  • (5) explains that if the applicant chooses not to participate in an individualized criminal records assessment hearing, the applicant's application will be denied; and
  • (6) provides a copy of the criminal history report the Authority used to make its determination.

(Source: P.A. 101-659, eff. 3-23-21.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/25.02)

Sec. 25.02. Criminal records assessment hearing.

(a) An applicant has the right to an individualized criminal records assessment hearing if the applicant's application for housing requires further review because of the applicant's or another household member's criminal history record. The individualized criminal records assessment hearing shall allow the applicant or other household member to:

  • (1) contest the accuracy of the criminal history record;
  • (2) contest the relevance of the criminal history record to the Authority's decision to deny the applicant's application for housing; and
  • (3) provide mitigating evidence concerning the applicant's or other household member's criminal conviction or evidence of rehabilitation.

(b) The Authority shall not rent or lease to any other person the available housing unit that is the subject of the applicant's individualized criminal records assessment hearing until after the Authority has issued a final ruling.

(c) The Authority shall adopt rules for criminal records assessment hearings in accordance with Article 10 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

(Source: P.A. 101-659, eff. 3-23-21.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/25.03) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 25.03)

Sec. 25.03. Every person making application for tenancy or renewal of tenancy in a housing project of a local housing authority shall provide the local housing authority information as to the composition of the applicant's family, and income, from all sources, of all family members.

All statements in an application shall be made under oath of the applicant. An applicant who swears wilfully, corruptly and falsely with respect to any material statement in his application bearing upon his eligibility for tenancy, total family income, or family composition, shall be guilty of perjury and upon conviction shall be punished accordingly.

(Source: Laws 1959, p. 2199.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/25.04) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 25.04)

Sec. 25.04. Any person who by means of any false statement or willful misrepresentation misleads, defrauds, or induces a local housing authority to fix the rent in an amount less than required under the regulations of the local housing authority, or by other fraudulent device or means obtains or attempts to obtain, or aids and abets any person in fraudulently obtaining or attempting to obtain, the fixing of the rent in an amount less than the sum required under the regulations of the local housing authority, is deemed guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 90-655, eff. 7-30-98.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/25.05) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 25.05)

Sec. 25.05. Any person who by means of any fraudulent misstatement or willful misrepresentation made in connection with an application for tenancy or renewal of tenancy in a housing project of a local housing authority misleads, defrauds, or induces the authority to fix a rental payment for his or her tenancy at a sum less than required under the regulations of the local housing authority shall be answerable to that authority for payment of a sum equivalent to the difference between the rental charged to the tenant and the rent which the tenant should have been charged in accordance with the regulations of the local housing authority, and in the event such payment is not made it shall be recoverable in a civil action. In any such civil action where fraud is proven, the court may, as a penalty receivable by the authority, assess an additional sum of money up to but not in excess of the entire amount of the difference in rent charged to the tenant and that which should have been charged but for the willful misrepresentation and misstatements.

(Source: P.A. 90-655, eff. 7-30-98.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/25.06)

Sec. 25.06. Waiting list information. Upon request by an applicant for a Housing Authority's public housing, a Housing Choice Voucher, or other housing owned or operated by a Housing Authority for which the Housing Authority manages a waiting list, the Housing Authority shall provide the applicant with information on that applicant's position on the waiting list within 10 business days.

(Source: P.A. 100-1021, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/26) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 26)

Sec. 26. An Authority (notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act or any other provision of law) may include in any contract let in connection with a project stipulations requiring that the contractor or any subcontractors comply with requirements as to minimum wages and maximum hours of labor and with any conditions which the Federal government may have attached to its financial aid of the project.

(Source: Laws 1937, p. 679.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/27) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 27)

Sec. 27. In addition to the powers conferred by other provisions of this Act, an authority shall have power to borrow money or accept grants or other financial assistance from the Federal government for or in aid of any project, to procure or agree to the procurement of insurance or guarantees from the Federal government of the payment of any bonds or parts thereof issued by such Authority, including the power to pay premiums on any such insurance, to purchase, take over, lease or manage any housing facilities, project or undertaking constructed or owned by the Federal government (notwithstanding Section 10 of this Act), and to these ends, to comply with such conditions and enter into such trust indentures, leases or agreements as may be necessary, convenient or desirable. It is the purpose and intent of this Act to authorize every Authority to do any and all things necessary or desirable to secure the financial aid or cooperation of the Federal government in the purchasing, acquiring, constructing, maintaining, operating, improving, extending and repairing of housing projects, in rehabilitating existing structures for purposes of making available additional dwelling units, and in the assembly of improved and unimproved property for development or redevelopment purposes by either public or private agencies.

(Source: Laws 1949, p. 1013.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/28) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 27a)

Sec. 28. The State and all counties, cities, villages, incorporated towns and other municipal corporations, political subdivisions and public bodies and public officers of any thereof, all banks, bankers, trust companies, savings banks and institutions, building and loan associations, savings and loan associations, investment companies and other persons carrying on a banking business, all insurance companies, insurance associations and other persons carrying on an insurance business, and all executors, administrators, guardians, trustees and other fiduciaries may legally invest any sinking funds, moneys or other funds belonging to them or within their control in any bonds or other obligations of a housing authority issued in connection with a project for which the Federal government, the State, or any political subdivision of the State has extended or provided for or has agreed to extend or provide for, financial assistance either in the form of a capital grant, a loan, or an annual subsidy, or by means of tax exemption, the sale, lease, gift or bailment of real or personal property, the furnishing of services, or in any other form, it being the purpose of this section to authorize the investment in such bonds or other obligations of all sinking, insurance, retirement, compensation, pension and trust funds, whether owned or controlled by private or public persons or officers; provided, however, that nothing contained in this section may be construed as relieving any person, firm, or corporation from any duty of exercising reasonable care in selecting securities.

(Source: Laws 1949, p. 1013.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/29) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 27b)

Sec. 29. With respect to any housing project of a housing authority, the housing authority shall, after such project has become occupied, either in whole or in part, file with the proper assessing authority on or before April 1 of each year, a statement of the aggregate shelter rentals of each such project collected during the preceding calendar year; and, unless a different amount has been agreed upon between the housing authority and the city, village, incorporated town or county for which the housing authority was created, five (5) per cent of such aggregate shelter rentals shall be charged and collected as a service charge for the services and facilities to be furnished with respect to such project, in the manner provided by law for the assessment and collection of taxes, and the amount so collected shall be distributed to the several taxing bodies in such proportions that each taxing body will receive therefrom the same proportion as the tax rate of such taxing body bears to the total tax rate that would be levied against the project if it were not exempt from taxation. A city, village, incorporated town or county for which a housing authority has been created may agree with the housing authority, with respect to any housing projects, either separately or jointly or one or more of them, for the payment of a service charge in an amount greater or less than five (5) per cent of the aggregate annual shelter rentals of any project, upon the basis of shelter rentals or upon such other basis as may be agreed upon, but not exceeding the amount which would be payable in taxes thereon were the property not exempt, and, if such an agreement is made, the amount so agreed upon shall be collected and distributed in the manner above provided. If such project or projects have become occupied or if the land upon which such project or projects are to be constructed has been acquired, such agreement shall specify definitely the location of the project or projects for which the agreement is made. Shelter rental shall mean the total rentals of a housing project as such project is defined in Section 15-95 of the Property Tax Code, exclusive of any charge for utilities and special services such as heat, water, electricity and gas. The records of each housing project shall be open to inspection by the proper assessing officers.

(Source: P.A. 88-670, eff. 12-2-94.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/30) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 27c)

Sec. 30. Housing authorities may jointly exercise any or all of the powers conferred on such housing authorities, for the purpose of financing, planning, undertaking, constructing or operating a housing project or projects located within the "area of operation" of any one or more of such housing authorities; and may with respect to each other exercise any powers enumerated in "An Act in relation to aid of housing projects and cooperation with housing authorities and the Federal government by municipal corporations, political subdivisions and other public bodies of this State", filed July 13, 1937, as amended, in addition to powers conferred by this Act.

A housing authority may operate outside of its area of operation (1) by contract with another housing authority, or (2) by contract with a state public body not within the area of operation of another housing authority, if the Department shall first have found a shortage of safe or sanitary dwellings within the area of such State public body, in the manner provided by Section 3 of this Act, and shall have issued a certificate to this effect to such housing authority and to such State public body.

(Source: P.A. 81-1509.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/32) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 27e)

Sec. 32. An Authority created pursuant to this Act may be dissolved and its corporate status terminated in the following manner: whenever the commissioners of an Authority adopt a resolution to the effect that it has completed all projects undertaken by it, or that it has undertaken no project and has no project in contemplation, and that it has no other duties to perform in its area of operation, it shall submit a certified copy thereof to the governing body of the area of operation for which it was initially created. If the governing body concurs therein, it shall adopt an ordinance or resolution in support thereof and transmit a certified copy thereof, together with the certified copy of the resolution of the Authority, to the Department. The Department shall audit the financial records of the Authority and if the Authority has not been the recipient of funds from the State of Illinois, or if it has received such funds and fully expended the same in the exercise of its statutory powers, and if no judicial action is then pending in which the Authority, or the Commissioners thereof in their official capacity, is a party, and if the Authority is not a party to any unexecuted contract or agreement, oral or written, in which a monetary claim may be asserted against it by any person, firm or corporation, it shall issue a Certificate of Dissolution, attested by the Director of the Department, and file the same for record in the office of the recorder in the county in which the Authority is located.

If the Authority has in its possession or title public funds which are or have been derived from grants made by the State of Illinois, or any real or personal property acquired by such state funds, and if no judicial action is pending or contractual claims outstanding against such Authority as above provided, the Department shall require the Authority to transfer such funds to it, and to sell and liquidate its interest in such real or personal property at a fair value to be fixed by the Department and pay the proceeds thereof to the Department. Upon compliance with such direction, the Department shall issue, and file for recording, a Certificate of Dissolution in the manner above provided.

An Authority shall be deemed legally dissolved upon the filing of the Certificate of Dissolution in the Office of the recorder as herein provided. Such dissolution shall not affect or impair the validity of any deed of conveyance theretofore executed and delivered by the Authority. The dissolution of an Authority shall not be a bar to the establishment of a new Authority for the same area of operation in the manner provided by Section 3 of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 99-576, eff. 7-15-16.)

 

(310 ILCS 10/33)

Sec. 33. Affordable housing for community college students. In addition to the powers conferred by other provisions of this Act, a Housing Authority may develop affordable housing for community college students in coordination with the board of trustees of any community college within the Housing Authority's jurisdiction.

(Source: P.A. 102-62, eff. 1-1-22.)


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