Naperville eases public intoxication laws

Naperville revelers have another reason to celebrate after the city pulled some teeth from its public intoxication laws.

While carrying open containers and drinking in public right-of-ways still can get you cited, simply being intoxicated cannot.

Police had pushed earlier this summer for stricter public intoxication laws to give them “an extra tool in the tool belt” to maintain order downtown.

City council members, however, said the proposal was “broad” and “heavy-handed” and could be misinterpreted.

They ordered the more strict language be removed from the law and on Tuesday passed a toned-down version with no discussion.

City Manager Doug Krieger said he believes police still have the tools they need to patrol the streets.

“If you're intoxicated and having fun and not bothering or hurting anyone, that's one thing,” Krieger said recently. “But chances are if you've had too much, you're likely catching the eye of a police officer for something else you're doing. So nothing is being taken away from the police.”