Seizure

Seizure. (a) Actual physical seizure of real property subject to forfeiture under this Act requires the issuance of a seizure warrant. Nothing in this Section prohibits the constructive seizure of real property through the filing of a complaint for forfeiture in circuit court and the recording of a lis pendens against the real property without a hearing, warrant application, or judicial approval. (b) Personal property subject to forfeiture under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, the Cannabis Control Act, the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, or the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act may be seized by the Director of the Illinois State Police or any peace officer upon process or seizure warrant issued by any court having jurisdiction over the property. (c) Personal property subject to forfeiture under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, the Cannabis Control Act, the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, or the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act may be seized by the Director of the Illinois State Police or any peace officer without process: (1) if the seizure is incident to inspection under an administrative inspection warrant; (2) if the property subject to seizure has been the subject of a prior judgment in favor of the State in a criminal proceeding or in an injunction or forfeiture proceeding based upon this Act; (3) if there is probable cause to believe that the property is directly or indirectly dangerous to health or safety; (4) if there is probable cause to believe that the property is subject to forfeiture under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, the Cannabis Control Act, the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, or the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, and the property is seized under circumstances in which a warrantless seizure or arrest would be reasonable; or (5) under the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. (d) If a conveyance is seized under this Act, an investigation shall be made by the law enforcement agency as to any person whose right, title, interest, or lien is of record in the office of the agency or official in which title to or interest in the conveyance is required by law to be recorded. (e) After seizure under this Section, notice shall be given to all known interest holders that forfeiture proceedings, including a preliminary review, may be instituted and the proceedings may be instituted under this Act. Upon a showing of good cause related to an ongoing investigation, the notice required for a preliminary review under this Section may be postponed. (Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)