Village Proposes Free Spitting, More Expensive Parking Tickets

If you’re tempted to spit on a village sidewalk, there’s something you should know.

Under a longtime Buffalo Grove ordinance, you could be fined $20 for expectorating “on any public sidewalk or street … or other place frequented by the public or to which the public is invited.”

But, village staff said this week that the ordinance, adopted in 1970, is outdated and not found on the books of 15 other municipalities. In a memo to elected officials, Deputy Village Manager Jennifer Maltas recommended its elimination.

The recommendation came as part of a comprehensive review of Buffalo Grove’s current fees and fines, which were compared to those in other suburban communities. Village staff members are recommending a series of changes in the village’s fees to bring them in line with those in neighboring towns while also generating new revenue for Buffalo Grove.

About two dozen changes are recommended in all. If adopted, they are expected to generate about $470,000 each year.

They include:

• Raising parking tickets from $20 to $25 and boosting late payments from $25 to $50 and tickets not paid by the date on a delinquent notices from $45 to $75. The village issued almost 1,500 parking citations last year, Maltas said.
• Raising fines for illegal dumping or burning from $20 to $50 and increasing late payments from $25 to $55 and post-delinquent payments from $45 to $75.
• Raising fines for grass and weed violations from $20 to $50. Late payments would rise from $50 to $55 and post-delinquent payments would increase from $70 to $75.
• A $60 fine for trespassing. Trespassers currently only receive warnings.
• Adding additional offenses that would result in vehicle impoundment.

Currently, the village charges $500 to owners whose vehicles are towed in connection to a DUI arrest. State law allows municipalities to also seize vehicles used by those charged with offenses relating to drugs, weapons and retail theft, or who drive on suspended, revoked or invalid licenses.

Police Chief Steven Casstevens told village officials that following the state statute could nearly triple the number of seized vehicles — 114 were towed in 2012 — and generate up to $115,000 in new revenue each year.

• Imposing higher fines for property owners whose alarms falsely summon police or fire personnel.

Currently, the village has no fee for the first two responses to false alarms, while third-, fourth- and fifth-time offenders are fined $75. The existing fees go up to $200 for the 13th false alarm. The staff suggested raising those fees so that second false alarms are $75 and third false alarms are $125. The highest proposed fine is $250, beginning with the 10th false alarm

“The false alarm fee is intended to incentivize property owners to test, maintain, and fix their alarm systems so that emergency responders are not spending their time responding to non-emergency calls,” Maltas wrote in the memo.

• Assessing a $50 permit fee for commercial solicitors and $15 for each additional representative from the same company. While solicitors are already required to obtain permits, there is currently no charge for them.

Without making changes to registration fees, Buffalo Grove also stands to collect $15,000 more annually by cracking down on pet owners who have not purchased a village license. County records show there are more than $1,500 unlicensed animals in the village, officials said.

The Village Board reviewed the proposed increases this week but did not take formal action on them.

The proposed fee/fine changes were presented as part of a larger plan that would help Buffalo Grove save about $1.5 million each year.

Related: Buffalo Grove Officials Discuss Program Cuts, Fee Hikes