Inspecting foreclosed homes gains traction in Elgin

A proposal to have Elgin city inspectors examine foreclosed homes for blatant code violations - such as faulty wiring and illegal living spaces - has gained support from several neighborhood groups.

The idea was floated last month by Chuck Keysor, president of the Near West Neighbors Association, as a way to be proactive in dealing with the 1,000-plus foreclosures in the city to ensure new homeowners aren't saddled with properties with serious problems.

"As we talk to more and more people, we find more and more people have the same problems," added Crysta Anderson, president of the SouthWest Area Neighbors, or SWAN.

Some members of the NorthEast Neighborhood Association, or NENA, also told the Elgin City Council this week they support the idea.

The earliest the council can evaluate and act on a plan is at its next meeting on July 28.

William Cogley, the city's corporation counsel, said the city still needs to address issues such as staffing and what type of fee to charge for the inspection.

Cogley said other communities that have similar programs have created a "vacant building" category and developed a registry. That registry is checked when people come to the city seeking real estate transfer stamps needed to close a deal.

Oak Park is one community that has its inspectors visit vacant and foreclosed properties before they are resold. The inspectors look for life and safety violations, such as faulty wiring and illegal living quarters, but also the structure itself like floors, roofs and gutters.

Sue Olafson, city spokeswoman, said Elgin has 524 properties that are owned by banks and another 495 slated for auction. Another 833 are in foreclosure where people are behind on their mortgages but there has been no action taken yet by the bank.

Elgin Mayor Ed Schock said he supports the idea.

"It's a quick look for the obvious, but it can make a big difference," he said, adding that inspectors wouldn't be focusing on interior peeling paint but "safety hazards, illegal units, (the) most egregious violations."

Councilman David Kaptain, who is seeking the mayor's seat on spring 2011, also said he is supportive of the idea, although he is concerned that code enforcement officers might have to look for all violations and not just those that deal with overcrowding, such as illegal living spaces.

"Conceptually, at first blush, I think it's a good idea," he said. "I just don't want to open Pandora's box here. If that's what we have to do, that's what we have to do."