Illinois REALTORS® is working to help educate residents in Sauk Village about the dangers of allowing the small municipality to hire contractors to handle mandated inspections.

The issue came up after the village of 10,500 residents determined that outside contractors could perform the inspections, which would be a violation of state code which requires inspectors to be municipal employees. The policy raises a number of issues, including the fact that residents are paying hefty inspection fees in violation of the law.

Sauk Village is a non-Home Rule unit of government, which means it must adhere to state law and provide adequate due process and voluntary consent for inspections. (More information on Home Rule units can be found at private property rights advocate Real Property Alliance).

According to information sent to many of the Cook County municipality’s residents by Illinois REALTORS®, there is a lack of due process and no limitations on the inspections that can be done on a property.

Illinois REALTORS® urges residents in Sauk Village to take action by telling their elected officials to change the policy so it comes into line with existing law. You can see the overview provided by Illinois REALTORS® here, and the mailer here.