Title
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 6 (HEALTH, NUISANCES) CHAPTER 7 (DISRUPTION OF UTILITY SERVICE) SECTION 6-7-3 (PENALTY)
Body
WHEREAS, the Illinois Compiled Statutes, including the Illinois Municipal Code, regulate purchases and contracts entered into by the Village of Orland Park, a home-rule municipality; and
WHEREAS, the Village has recently undertaken a comprehensive review of its fine and penalty structure to ensure that monetary penalties remain effective, equitable, and reflective of current enforcement priorities; and
WHEREAS, the Village finds uninterrupted utility services including electricity, water, gas, and telecommunications are essential to the health, safety and welfare of residents, and
WHEREAS, disruptions in utility services, caused by the actions, negligence, or failures of utility companies, result in significant hardship to families, business, and community institutions, depriving them of vital services necessary for daily living, work, communication, and personal safety; and
WHEREAS, the current fine and penalty structure for Title 6, Chapter 7 has not been updated or amended to keep pace with the costs associated with law enforcement, compliance monitoring, and corrective measures; and
WHEREAS, the Village has a compelling interest in ensuring accountability for utility companies whose conduct results in unnecessary or preventable service outages; and
WHEREAS, the imposition of additional penalties for avoidable disruptions of utility services is necessary to encourage compliance, deter negligent practices, and protect the families and residents of the Village who are harmed by the loss of valuable utilities; and
WHEREAS, the Village deems it is in the best interest of the Village and its residents to amend the penalty enforcement under this section to encourage the lawful behavior and compliance, enhance community responsibility, and protect the quality of life of all residents.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Orland Park, Cook and Will Counties, Illinois, as follows:
SECTION 1
Title 6 (Health, Nuisances) Chapter 7 (Disruption of Utility Service) Section 6-7-3 (Penalty) shall hereby be amended in part (additional language marked by underlining and deletions marked with strikethrough) as reflected and attached hereto as EXHIBIT “A”.
SECTION 2
This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval as required by law.
SECTION 3
The Village Clerk be and herby is authorized and directed to publish this Ordinance in pamphlet form.