Approved: Fines Double for Peeing, Drinking in Public

City Council officially approved the new ordinance that will double the maximum fine for drinking, gambling and urinating in the public way, joining the 19th Police district’s new “zero tolerance” policing.

The move comes after the city found those crimes have the highest rate of default, with as many as 70 percent of offenders ignoring the fine and the administrative hearings.

The new ordinance now sets the maximum fine at $400 for gambling and $1,000 for public drinking or public urination. In addition, because the crimes have the highest rate of default, violators who don’t show up to administrative hearings face up to six months in jail.

“These are not victimless crimes, as they have a negative impact on communities and the quality of life for our children, families and all residents,” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “Increasing the fines and adding the threat of jail time is an indication of the seriousness of these crimes.”

“Commander Voulgaris from our 19th District Police Station has placed quality-of-life issues as one of his top goals since starting in August...”

Emanuel’s new ordinance comes in the wake of a recent crackdown in the 19th Police District on the same issues, with local police starting a “zero tolerance” initiatives centered on Wrigleyville’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and Boystown’s Pride Fest Parade.

“Zero tolerance is every day now,” said 19th District Commander Elias Voulgaris at the annual Wrigley Field meeting. “We’re not going to just drive by a person who’s urinating in the public way. We want everyone to come to the neighborhood to have a good time, but zero tolerance is every day.”

And 43rd Ward Ald. Michele Smith also chimed in on the issue. Once the ordinance was passed, she published a statement in her weekly newsletter notifying residents.

"Giving the police the tools to fight these 'quality of life' offenses is an important step towards reducing crime in the city of Chicago and the 43rd Ward," she said.

Last year, an ordinance was passed allowing an individual issued an Administrative Notice of Violation (ANOV) for possession of cannabis to face up to twice the maximum fine of the original offense, or jail time up to 6 months if there was a failure to appear or pay the fine.

These proposed changes mimic that approach, but also increase the penalties for the offenses.

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