CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The City Council Finance Committee was discussing what it expected to be routine matters when administration officials announced plans to lower fines for people who park in bicycle lanes, cover their license plates, or have tinted windows.
Downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) first objected to the bike lane measure. He said people can be hurt or killed when bicycle lanes are carelessly blocked by motor vehicles.
“We’ve been asking for increased enforcement; it has not shown up,” Reilly said. “This body was wise enough to raise these fines.”
But Mark Siegel — with Chicago’s Law Department — said it would be illegal to keep the fines that high. He said there was a recent court decision which limited how much the City can fine people for violations while a can is parked or “standing.”
Siegel said the fine, combined with the penalty for late payment, cannot exceed $250. Current fines charge violators $500.
“If we did issue [the higher fines], we would expose ourselves to litigation,” Siegel said.
Alderman Matt O’Shea (19th), a staunch advocate for police, was incensed. He said electronic license plate readers are a great tool for catching criminals. The city needs the higher penalties, he added.
“This is very disturbing,” said O’Shea. “And, I guess, right now the most disturbing this is we only find out about this at a finance meeting [where] we barely have a quorum.”
A vote was delayed until, at least, Wednesday afternoon. Some council members expressed hope that state lawmakers can set things right.
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