Glen Ellyn might increase permit fee for special events

Organizers of charity runs and other special events in Glen Ellyn could pay a higher permitting fee under a proposal before the village board.

Trustees will consider a potential increase - and other changes to permitting rules - during a special workshop meeting Monday.

Groups now must apply for the permit at least two months before the event and pay a $35 fee. Village staff members have suggested raising the fee to $50 - what neighboring Wheaton charges - though they caution that a higher price tag could adversely impact smaller-scale nonprofit groups, a memo to the board reads.

So far this year, 43 special event permits have been issued, eight of which were awarded to filmmakers.

Trustees also could decide Monday whether to create a separate permit and fee for those film crews. In addition, the board may limit how many times they shoot a location in town.

Most of the permit recipients this year have filmed commercials or photography shoots in neighborhoods.

If trustees give the OK, filmmakers would have to complete a new permit application at least 10 days before production starts, submit a letter voicing the approval of the property owner and give notice to neighbors.

Filming permit fees vary widely across the suburbs. Elgin requires $10 - ranking at the bottom of a survey of 15 communities included in the board's memo. At the top is Riverside, where producers must shell out a $500 permit fee.

Glen Ellyn staff members have recommended a $100 fee to cover processing costs.

"In the event of a large-scale production, however, that may last longer than a few days, the village would reserve the right to charge for any additional police or public works overtime costs that may be necessary to support such an operation within the community," the memo reads.

The board meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in the downtown Civic Center, 535 Duane St.