A new ordinance might cut down on village court costs while nipping public drinking and teen smoking in the bud, village officials say.
The ordinance would make violation of two laws-a new law barring alcoholic beverages in village buildings and a proposed ordinance prohibiting minors from possession of tobacco-part of the village’s administrative citation ordinance, attorney Julie Panicalli said last week.
Under the administrative citation law, violators would be fined $25 for each violation. If the fine is not paid within 10 days, the fine is increased to $50. Only when violators refuse to pay the fine within the set period are charges filed with the state’s attorney’s office, Panicalli said.
If the administrative citation process is applied to ordinances that are expected to have an immediate effect, such as the public liquor consumption law or teen tobacco proposal, it could save the village thousands of dollars in court costs, village manager Kurt Bressner said.
Commissioners are expected to review the proposal April 19.