Chicago seeks tougher rules on vacant buildings

In the first 10 days of September, city of Chicago operators logged 359 calls about problems at vacant buildings, ranging from reports of open or missing front or back doors to pried-off plywood panels to trespassers.

The city is trying to lessen that number by requiring the entities responsible for vacant buildings to more quickly register them, and if they don’t, speed up when the city can issue a fine and force them to secure a building.