Elburn can’t impose higher fines for distracted driving

Elburn’s attempt to put more teeth into its law against distracted driving was cut short when officials approached the Kane County circuit clerk to get advice on how to communicate the potential for larger fines to residents.

The clerk instead informed them that the town lacks the authority to impose fines greater than what’s set in the state statute.

Village President Jeff Walter and Trustee Chris Hansen led the effort to hike fines to call attention to unsafe driving. Citing the number of tragic accidents in and around the village in recent years, officials created an ordinance with fines of $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second offense and $750 for third or more offenses.

The maximum fine, under state statute, is $75 for the first offense, $100 for the second offense, $125 for the third and $150 additional offenses.

“I’m disappointed,” Hansen said. “Here, we’re trying to make our community safer, and we’re being told we can’t do it.”

Walter expressed his disappointment, as well, saying that he doesn’t believe the state penalties are “really impactful.”

Walter said he will be lobbying his state legislators to increase the penalties outlined in the state statute, and he encourages others concerned about safety to do the same.