This bill amends the Home Rule City Act to permit cities with populations of 7,500 or more, or 3,300 or more in counties with populations of 1.5 million or more, to create an administrative hearings bureau. This bureau will handle adjudication and sanctions for blight violations as defined by the city's charter or ordinances, with the authority to accept admissions of responsibility and collect civil fines. However, it will not have jurisdiction over criminal offenses or civil infractions. The bill also allows for the waiving of fines for first-time offenders who rectify their violations, aiming to streamline the enforcement of blight ordinances while ensuring due process.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the definition of "person" in relation to blight ordinance violations to include various legal entities and their representatives. It establishes that if a violation is not corrected within 30 days of a final decision by a hearing officer or circuit court, the individual or entity will be guilty of a misdemeanor, with penalties including imprisonment for up to 90 days, a fine of up to $500, or both. The bill also includes a provision that it will not take effect unless House Bill No. 6177 is enacted into law, making its implementation contingent upon the passage of related legislation.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 117.4