Urbana council OKs higher fines for parking offenders
URBANA – Repeat parking violators in Urbana will face increasingly expensive fines.
Urbana City Council aldermen, on a vote of 7-1, with Heather Stevenson, R-6, opposed, approved the higher rates at a meeting Monday night. Fines will go up with repeat offenses.
The ordinance revisions include a graduated schedule of fines, with increases for repeat violations. For example, the first offense in Urbana's downtown district will result in a "courtesy" ticket with no fine. A second offense would bring a $10 ticket ($15 if paid after seven days). A third offense would result in a $15 ticket ($20 if paid after seven days).
Within the campus and hospital districts, a first offense would bring a $10 fine ($15 if paid after seven days). Second offenses would result in a $15 fine ($20 if paid after seven days). And third offenses would yield a $20 fine ($25 if paid after seven days).
Urbana had not increased the parking meter fines since 2001. City figures show revenue from parking tickets dropped from $587,269 in 2004 to $439,638 in fiscal year 2009.
The number of tickets issued also dropped. Officials estimate the higher fines will increase revenue by about $100,000.
Council members had voted in a study session last week to recommend formal adoption of the ordinance.
Also Monday, Mayor Laurel Prussing announced a joint study session involving Urbana, Champaign and Champaign County to discuss a strategy for video gambling.
Earlier this year, the Illinois Legislature approved the use of video gambling in local bars.
On July 13, Gov. Pat Quinn signed the Video Gaming Act, making video gaming terminals legal in certain liquor establishments, truck stops and fraternal/veterans clubs throughout the state.
Local governments have the right to opt out.
The meeting is set for 7-9 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Beckman Institute Auditorium, 405 N. Mathews Ave., U.
Prussing said after Monday's meeting that the state law needs to be discussed.
"What are our options?" she said. "What is the state law? Would we be better off under the state law or our home-rule authority?"
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