Sangamon Sun

Property owners in Springfield who regularly violate city codes could soon find themselves on the hook for fines of up to $500 for infractions.

In the wake of an ordinance proposed by 10th Ward Ald. Ralph Hanauer, the Springfield City Council is now weighing increased penalties for those deemed as habitual violators. According to the State Journal-Register, fines of $150 are being considered for first-time offenders if the problem persists beyond seven days. 

For second violations, fines could increase to up to $300 and as high as $500 third violations.

8th Ward Ald. Erin Conley | Facebook

“So, hopefully, that will give people the motivation to not have [code violations] in the first place,” Hanauer said. “The idea is not for us to have to go out and cite people. That’s the main goal.”

The proposal is slated to be further discussed at an upcoming city meeting classified as part of the council’s debate agenda. As it is, the only way the city can ensure compliance with such rules is by taking code violators to court, prompting Hanauer to refer to the latest proposal as a way to “put some teeth” into the city code.

Hanauer has also deemed the code-violation ordinance as only the first step, with other elements of the plan to include addressing the city’s chronic nuisance ordinance. Under rules established in 2016, properties could be labeled as annoyances after at least three proven code violations that resulted from three separate city inspections in a two-year period.

The proposal also includes language for code violations seen as posing a threat to public health that is being crafted by 8th Ward Ald. Erin Conley.