Aldermen this week ordered city staff to rewrite an ordinance that could raise fines for several parking violations to $20.
Fines now range from $3 to $10 for violators of one-hour, snow route and work zone parking rules.
Ald. Tom Christiansen opposed increasing fines in one-, two- and three-hour downtown parking areas.
“I’m afraid shoppers will head to Randhurst and Woodfield, where they won’t have to pay $20,” Christiansen said.
The issue will come up for more discussion after city attorneys draft the ordinance.
In other city business, aldermen voted to table a vote on an offer by La Quinta Inns to pay for a trip for several city officials to inspect a flagship hotel property in San Antonio, Texas.
La Quinta is considering building a hotel at Pratt Avenue and Mannheim Road. Details of the proposed tour have not been finalized, city officials said.
City Atty. David Wiltse said a city ethics ordinance requires local officials to pay for such a trip themselves.
Aldermen also voted to decrease funding to 17 social services agencies because of budget cuts.
Des Plaines will pay the agencies $65,746 this year, down from $90,000 last year, officials said.
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“It’s difficult to propose any cuts when the economy is tight, but the city has a budget to balance also,” said Arlene Merriman, human resources and services director.