70 ILCS 1230/1-a

The fact that any individual, corporation, or other person shall be made a party defendant to any such condemnation proceedings hereby authorized, shall not establish any presumption as to the validity or the extent of the title of such defendant, but before damages shall be assessed to any such defendant, the court shall first find and adjudge the right, title, and interest of such defendant in the property sought to be taken or damaged, and through such condemnation proceedings the said board of park commissioners shall acquire whatever right, title, interest or claim such defendant may have.