I am trying to find info on how to purchase a house in my neighborhood that has recently been abandoned. I live in the city of chicago and have tried this before with another property that was exempt from taxes to no avail. I even went to city hall and could not get any answers.

OK, all property is owned by someone, next city hall is the wrong place, you need to go to the county tax office. First you go to the deed office and see who actually owns the property, see if there is a mortgage on it and if there are any other liens on the property.

Then you go over to the property tax office and see where and who is getting mailed the tax notice and see if they are behind on any taxes.

Then you know from the deeds who to contract, since you will have to buy it from whoever the legal owner is.