Real Estate Law

(Tarver, D-Chicago; Sims, D-Chicago) provides that "seller" does not include a beneficiary who has both (1) never occupied the residential real property and (2) never had management responsibility for the residential real property. Passed both chambers. 

(Yednock, D-Ottawa) requires that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation work with the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association and other interested parties to develop a standardized residential real estate contract. Scheduled for hearing this Wednesday in House Judiciary Committee. 

(Villa, West Chicago) Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that every individual is entitled to an estate of homestead to the extent in value of $30,000 of his or her interest in a farm or lot of land and buildings thereon, a condominium, or personal property, owned or rightly possessed by lease or otherwise and occupied by him or her as a residence, or in a cooperative that owns property that the individual uses as a residence, or $60,000 if the homestead is owned by 2 or more individuals. Scheduled for hearing Tuesday in Senate Judiciary Committee. 

(Morrison, D-Deerfield) amends the Administrative Review Article of the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that for an action to review a decision of an administrative agency with final decision-making authority over designated historic properties or areas or a decision of an administrative agency with final decision-making authority over exterior design review of buildings or structures, "parties of record" means only the administrative agency and applicants before the administrative agency, and "parties of record" does not mean persons who appeared before and submitted oral testimony or written statements to the zoning board of appeals with respect to the decision appealed. Requires that within two days of filing the action, the plaintiff shall send a notice of filing of the action by certified mail to each other person who appeared before and submitted oral testimony or a written statement to the administrative agency with respect to the appealed decision. Requires that the notice shall state the caption of the action, the court in which the action was filed, and the names of the plaintiff in the action and the applicant to the administrative agency. Requires that the notice shall inform the person of his or her right to intervene. Provides that each person who appeared before and submitted oral testimony or a written statement to the administrative agency with respect to the appealed decision shall have a right to intervene as a defendant in the action upon application made to the court within 30 days of the mailing of the notice. Scheduled for hearing next Tuesday in Senate Judiciary Committee. 

(Moeller, D-Elgin) amends the Eviction Article of the Code of Civil Procedure. It requires the court to appoint an attorney for an indigent tenant in an eviction action. Provides that the Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission is responsible for the implementation of such appointments, and the State shall pay the costs of legal services provided by an appointed attorney. Requires the Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission to enter into contracts with attorneys and agencies for the provision of legal services. Requires the Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission to submit to the General Assembly a plan to fully implement the indigent tenant representation requirements within 12 months of the effective date of the amendatory Act. Just introduced.