(765 ILCS 45/4) (from Ch. 116, par. 8)

Sec. 4. Whenever the public record of any plat or map, which is required by law to be kept by the recorder, has been or may hereafter be injured or destroyed by fire or otherwise, it shall be the duty of the State's Attorney of the county in which such injury, loss or destruction has occurred or shall occur, forthwith to file in the circuit court a complaint, in the name of the People of the State of Illinois, setting forth substantially the fact of such injury, loss or destruction with the circumstances attending the same, as near as may be; and thereupon the clerk of such court shall cause such complaint to be published in full in one or more public newspapers published in such county, for the period of 3 weeks, together with a notice, addressed to "all whom it may concern," that the court will at a return day therein designated, which shall not be less than 4 weeks from the first publication of such information and notice, or as soon after such designated return day as the matter can be heard proceed to hear and determine the matters alleged in the complaint, and will take testimony for the purpose of reproducing and re-establishing such records of maps and plats as the court shall find to be damaged, lost or destroyed.

Parties defendant.) Upon such publication being made, all persons interested shall be deemed defendants, and may appear in person or by counsel, and be heard touching such proceedings.

Hearing.) If the court shall be satisfied that any public record of maps and plats has been injured, lost or destroyed an order to that effect shall be entered of record, and thereupon the court shall proceed to take testimony for the purpose of re-producing and re-establishing the record so damaged, lost or destroyed.

Continuances--Separate orders.) The proceedings may be continued from time to time, and orders shall be entered as to each map or plat separately.

New map recorded--Effect.) The clerk shall cause all maps and plats adjudged by the court to be correct copies of the records damaged, lost or destroyed, as often and as soon as they are so adjudged to be filed in the office of the recorder, with a certified copy of the order or judgment of the court in the premises attached thereto, and recorded in a book or books to be provided for that purpose. Such record shall be deemed and taken in all courts and places as a public record, and as a true and correct reproduction of the original record so damaged, lost or destroyed.

(Source: P.A. 83-358.)