West Chicago taking law into own hands

A new West Chicago administrative adjudication court would have the right to levy fines up to $50,000, under an ordinance unanimously approved by the city's public safety committee Monday.

As a home rule municipality, West Chicago has the right to set up the new system. If the ordinance is passed by the city council, the court would oversee compliance with city property maintenance, building, zoning, and parking code.

"This means we're going to be taking care of our own problems," Mayor Mike Kwasman said. "This will get people to comply. If you obey the law, you have nothing to worry about. If you disobey, you have everything to worry about."

City staff believes that the new system would be cheaper than sending violators to DuPage County Circuit Court. Cases would be heard quicker, and the city would collect the whole amount of fines levied, they told aldermen.

Staff is considering a bilingual person for the job of hearing officer. The hearing officer would oversee the court and have all the powers of a judge, except that of throwing people in jail.

A person found in violation of city code would receive a notice in the mail that would tell them to appear before the adjudication court in 15 or more days.

The officer would make a judgment even if people who receive citations, or an attorney representing them, fail to appear. He could impose community service or fines of up to $50,000 for each day a person violates city code.

Violators would have 21 days to appeal a default judgment to the court. Or, the hearing officer's decisions could be appealed to the circuit court.

In all other cases, fines would have to be paid within 10 days of the adjudication court's final decision. Every day that the person in violation doesn't come into compliance, fines could be increased by 10 percent.

If fines aren't paid within 12 days of a notice being received, the city would be able to place a lien against the violator's property.

City Administrator Michael Guttman said that the new system would be in place by early October.