Hinsdale officials believe it is unrealistic to expect to collect all $240,000 owed the village in outstanding parking fines, but they are optimistic an amnesty program will generate some revenue.
Two years ago, the village enacted a similar amnesty program and took in $50,000, Police Chief Bradley Bloom said.
“It’s difficult to set a goal for what you expect to collect. At this time, we would be glad to get a good portion of what is owed,” Bloom said.
During tight budget times, any additional revenue would be positive, said Village Manager David Cook.
“We’ll be sending notices to all those ticket holders informing them of the program,” Cook said.
Through Oct. 31, the village has received $210,728 in parking fines, according to statistics released by the village’s Finance Department.
If half of the $240,000 in fines currently owed were paid off at 50 percent, the village would take in $60,000.
Under terms of the ordinance those owing parking fines can pay 50 percent of the amount due. The ordinance applies only to those unpaid tickets issued prior to Dec. 15 of this year.
As an additional incentive to prod parking scofflaws to pay unpaid tickets, the officials have created an ordinance allowing the village to facilitate suspending the drivers license of vehicle owners who have a minimum of 10 unpaid parking tickets.
“There are a lot of steps of due process built in, so this would not take place overnight once an owner is notified,” Bloom said.
The plan targets the 35 individuals or companies that have 10 or more outstanding tickets.
“Some owe up to $6,000,” Bloom said. “One is a limo company based here in town.”
The company was not identified, and trustees discussed whether or not a list identifying the scofflaws should be published to encourage payment.
“I think it (publishing the list) is a good idea. Some are business owners here in town, and I see no harm in doing that,” said Trustee Bob Schultz.
The majority of trustees appeared to want to keep the list confidential.
Cook said publishing names of residents who were late making utility payments a few years ago was ineffective.
“It had no effect. They didn’t start paying their outstanding bills until they received a notice saying they faced having their service shut off,” Cook said.
Bloom said the typical scofflaw has been a nonresident employed part-time by a local merchant. Attempts to obtain payment through notices has been difficult.
“You can’t boot them because they likely no longer work here,” Bloom said. “Once they leave their employment they are gone.”
Hinsdale, IL —
