CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The city's 15th Ward alderman has had it with what he says are building owners who have caused the rat population to get bigger through poor sanitation in the alleys.
WBBM's Mike Krauser reports.
Ray Lopez says the soft approach has not worked, and it's time for immediate and aggressive enforcement.
"You can't legislate common sense, unfortunately," Lopez said. "Garbage goes in the bag, bag goes in the can, you close the lid and you're done."
City officials will issue citations costing $300 to $600 to scofflaws. He is also asking that all of the 300 alleys in his ward be baited with rat poison.
Some are concerned that feral cats and other animals could be harmed.
"All of their populations are exploding as well because of the overabundance of food," the alderman said.
Do away with the rat population and the other populations will decrease, too, he said.
