La Grange Area May Do Better Enforcement Of Codes

LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange and La Grange Park are teaming up to establish a version of a municipal court for parking issues, minor traffic violations and police-related ordinance violations.

Now, such violations go to Cook County Circuit Court.

"Our officers write a ticket, the judge enters a fine, and by the time, it gets to us, there is very little of that fine left," La Grange Village President Mark Kuchler said at Monday's Village Board meeting.

Hiring a local administrative hearing officer would make the process more accessible, more effective and less complicated than going to Cook County court, according to a village memo.

It will also help in the enforcement of ordinance violations that are not being pursued in Cook County court, the memo said.

"Sometimes, they are just too expensive," Kuchler said. "So we have not necessarily been writing those violations. With this in place, we'll be more inclined to write these violations and do better enforcement."

The village decided to team up with La Grange Park because setting up the court alone may be unattainable, the memo said.

By law, the local court cannot handle moving violations such as speeding, officials said. The court would be civil in nature, not criminal.

The Village Board voted unanimously for an administrative hearing court.