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Neighbor seeks county action on long-abandoned house; state's attorney says service is the barrier
Summary
A resident asked Grundy County to accelerate enforcement on a house that has been abandoned for more than 13 years. County legal staff said the primary practical barrier is unable to effect service on the property owner despite liens and previous maintenance.
At the July 8, 2025 Grundy County Board meeting a neighbor requested renewed county action to address a long-abandoned house he said has deteriorated for more than 13 years.
Greg Wilkinson said he and neighbors created a petition asking that the property be condemned and torn down. He told the board the structure has deteriorated, contains wildlife and is creating a hazard for an elderly neighbor who must clear poison ivy. "It's just terrible the way this place looks in a nice neighborhood. So we hope to get something done here soon," he said.
Ross, a county legal official, described prior steps taken on the property: filing judgments, boarding the structure, mowing and placing liens. Ross said the county cannot proceed to a condemnation and demolition until the owner is properly served with notice; he told the board, "I have not been able to get him served." He said deputies and local police assist when available but that the county lacks a full-time investigator to run service searches.
Board members discussed prior liens and the possibility of returning to the board to authorize payment for demolition after legal service and condemnation procedures are completed. Ross said taxes are being paid on the property, which complicates locating a different service address, and that once legal service is achieved, the county will present the condemnation/removal cost for board approval.
No new directive or ordinance was adopted at the meeting; county staff and the state's attorney indicated enforcement hinges on completing service on the owner so standard condemnation remedies may proceed.
