Has the property been vacant a long time, which I ask as the potential for increased repair costs need to be considered with long-term vacancies, such as cracked plumbing from freezing, etc.

I have heard that when banks expect a downturn, they start freezing HELOCs, so that is one potential risk. 

They are extremely low right now because they have homeowner exemption, senior exemption and senior freeze.

If there was a crash, or recession, would a bank freeze your existing lines of credit due to economic woes?

I also had to put down a lot of salt in the winter as there was a dip right in front of my garage door, causing water to pool and freeze.

they just dont let you draw on them the bank can unilaterally freeze them..  

Obviously I would have to schedule it for a day where the weather is above freezing temperatures, but I am curious if this is illegal during some months in the state of Illinois?

When I get on the app, after awhile of scrolling through, it shows the same thread multiple times and then it will freeze.

Even if you can drain the plumbing it has to be pressurized to force H2O out of any laterals that will freeze. 

Nothing was vented and most joints had burst from freezing.