Kane Co. hikes fines after joyride

Taking a joyride through a Kane County Forest Preserve soon could land you in court with a fine of $500 or more.

Spurred by an incident this month in which a 20-year-old barreled his dad's Hummer through an Elgin-area forest preserve and nearly drove over some rare plants, Kane County leaders have stiffened their penalties.

The fine for "destruction of natural resources" now is almost like a user fee.

A person caught driving a motor vehicle other than a snowmobile through a forest preserve can get off paying a $50 fine through the mail within 10 days.

But as of Jan. 1, the petty offense carries a mandatory court appearance.

Then a judge can levy a fine of $500 or more if the incident results in significant damage to the preserve or extra costs for forest preserve district employees to respond.

In severe cases or for repeat offenders, criminal charges can be pressed as well.

"The real reason behind this is to make them pay for all the damage they're causing," said Emad Eassa, the district's director of public safety. "Don't come out and do this stuff. Come out and enjoy it and respect it."

In the Dec. 2 incident at the Meissner Prairie-Corron Forest Preserve near Elgin, the Hummer was driven dangerously close to a patch of rare and endangered species of orchids.

A tow truck eventually was called to drag out the Hummer, which got stuck, but that step ripped up the ground even more.

Officials still are trying to quantify the damage but have been hampered by the weather.

"(The orchid) is in a couple (area) forest preserves, but this is one of the few authentic natural populations left in Kane County," said Drew Ullberg, the forest preserve's director of natural resources.

While the Hummer incident spurred the stiffer penalty, it has not been the most expensive.

Ullberg said that about 10 years ago, a man got his pickup truck stuck in mud up to its axles in the LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, north of St. Charles.

Several towing companies refused to attempt to pull it out, and a specialized helicopter eventually was summoned.

Ullberg hopes the change in law will stop further damage to preserves.

"I do hope it will act as a deterrent," he said. "The first time it will act as a deterrent is the first time it comes before a judge and they see how must it costs."