Sauk Village — Ch. 18 Art. XIX Registration of Defaulted Mortgage and Vacant Properties § 18-1137
Security requirements
Operative Text
(a) Properties subject to these sections shall be maintained in a secure manner so as not to be accessible to unauthorized persons. ..... (b) A "secure manner" shall include, but not be limited to, the closure and locking of windows, doors, gates and other openings of such size that may allow a child to access the interior of the property or structure. Broken windows, doors, gates, and other openings of such size that may allow a child to access the interior of the property or structure must be repaired. Broken windows shall be secured by re-glazing of the window. ..... (c) If a property is registrable, and the property has become vacant or blighted, a property manager shall be designated by the mortgagee and/or owner to perform the work necessary to bring the property into compliance with the applicable code(s), and the property manager must perform regular inspections to verify compliance with the requirements of this chapter, and any other applicable laws. ..... (d) In addition to the above, the property is required to be secured in accordance with the applicable code(s) of the village. ..... (e) When a property subject to this chapter becomes vacant, it shall be posted with the name and 24-hour contact telephone number of the property manager. The property manager shall be available to be contacted by the village Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., legal holidays excepted. The sign shall be placed in a window facing the street and shall be visible from the street. The posting shall be no less than 18 inches by 24 inches and shall be of a font that is legible from a distance of 45 feet. The posting shall contain the following language with supporting information: ..... THIS PROPERTY IS MANAGED BY ___________. AND IS INSPECTED ON A REGULAR BASIS. ___________. THE PROPERTY MANAGER CAN BE CONTACTED ___________. BY TELEPHONE AT ___________. OR BY EMAIL AT ___________. (f) The posting required in subsection (e) above shall be placed on the interior of a window facing the street to the front of the property so that it is visible from the street, or secured to the exterior of the building/structure facing the street to the front of the property so that it is visible from the street or if no such area exists, on a stake of sufficient size to support the posting in a location that is at all times visible from the street to the front of the property but not readily accessible to vandals. Exterior posting shall be constructed of and printed with weather-resistant materials. ..... (g) Failure of the mortgagee and/or property owner of record to properly inspect and secure a property subject to this chapter, and post and maintain the signage noted in this section, is a violation and shall be subject to enforcement by any of the enforcement means available to the village. The village may take the necessary action to ensure compliance with this section, and recover costs and expenses in support thereof. .....
Sauk Village Code § 18-1137 establishes security requirements for properties subject to the village's defaulted mortgage and vacant property registration program. Covered properties must be kept inaccessible to unauthorized persons, with all windows, doors, gates, and similar openings locked or repaired — including re-glazing broken windows — so that children cannot enter. When a property becomes vacant, a designated property manager must be identified, must conduct regular inspections, and must post a standardized sign (at least 18" × 24", legible from 45 feet) displaying the manager's contact information in a street-facing window or on the exterior. Failure to meet these requirements constitutes a violation, and the village may take corrective action and recover its costs.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 18-1137, operators of registrable vacant or blighted properties in Sauk Village generally ensure that all entry points — windows, doors, and gates — are locked and in good repair, with broken windows re-glazed rather than simply boarded. A property manager must be formally designated, must conduct regular compliance inspections, and must be reachable by the village Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Compliant operators also post the required 18" × 24" contact sign in a street-facing location using weather-resistant materials, keeping it current and legible at all times to avoid enforcement action and potential cost-recovery proceedings under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 18-1137 of the Sauk Village Code gives the village authority to require that vacant and defaulted-mortgage properties near residents be kept secure and actively managed, which can affect the safety and condition of neighboring or previously occupied properties. If a covered property appears unsecured, lacks the required street-facing manager contact sign, or shows signs of neglect such as broken windows, residents may report those conditions directly to Sauk Village for enforcement under this section. Tenant-rights organizations and local housing advocates can help individuals understand how this provision interacts with other village codes and what remedies may be available when a property's condition affects habitability or safety.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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