Administrative Adjudication

Purpose and Background

In 2024, the Village of La Grange Park entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the Village of La Grange for the administration of a shared adjudication court system. This partnership between the two Villages provides a cost-effective and efficient means of handling local ordinance violations and a more accessible adjudication process for our residents. 

Administrative adjudication is a process in which violations of the Municipal Code are adjudicated by a hearing officer rather than through the county judicial system. Matters subject to the Village’s administrative adjudication process include, but are not limited to:

  • Parking violations 
  • Nuisance abatements
  • Non-moving vehicle code violations (e.g., cell phone violations, seat belt violations, and vehicle equipment violations)
  • Animal code violations
  • Zoning code violations
  • Building and fire code violations
  • Stormwater violations
  • Business violations
  • Health and sanitation concerns

An administrative hearing is civil in nature and is not a criminal proceeding. Cases are punishable by fines and penalties that are listed in the Municipal Code.

See Chapter 38 in the Village Code for further information on Administrative Adjudication.

Hearing Dates, Time, and Location

Administrative adjudication hearings are held every 3rd Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. The meetings are held in the second floor auditorium at La Grange Village Hall, 53 S. La Grange Road, La Grange, Illinois 60525. A municipal parking garage is accessible off of Harris Avenue in downtown La Grange.

Representation

The Defendant (the person who received the citation) can represent themselves or they can be represented by their own attorney. The Hearing Officer (John F. Simpson of Simpson Dattilo LLC) has a role similar to a judge in a trial. A representative from the Village of La Grange Park will also be present at the hearing.

Hearing Procedures

A person receiving a citation may pay the established fine prior to the Administrative Adjudication hearing date unless the citation is noted as “must appear.” Pre-payment of the fine will close the case and attendance at the hearing would not be required. A payment/hearing reminder will also be sent to the violator prior to the hearing date. 

Administrative adjudication hearings are somewhat like a trial, but they are less formal and there is no jury. The Village and the Defendant take turns stating their case and providing evidence to the Hearing Officer. The Hearing Officer determines whether or not a violation existed. If a violation existed (i.e., the Defendant is guilty), the Hearing Officer will determine the fine the Defendant must pay. Fines are up to $750 for each citation.

If the Defendant attends the hearing, they can argue against the violation (i.e., state they are not guilty) or state the violation did exist (i.e., state they are guilty).

If the Defendant does not attend the hearing, the Hearing Officer may find the defendant in default and decide whether or not the violation existed based on the Village‘s evidence. 

If the Defendant cannot attend the hearing and they want to state they are guilty, they should send all statements in writing (by email to municipalviolations@lagrangepark.org or by letter to the attention of Hearing Officer, Village of La Grange Park, 447 N. Catherine, La Grange Park, IL 60526) at least 48 hours prior to the administrative adjudication hearing. The statements will be presented to the Hearing Officer who will determine the judgment and fine.

After the Hearing & Paying Fines

After the hearing, the Village will send a copy of the judgment to the Defendant at the address on the citation.

If the Hearing Officer determined the violation existed (i.e., the Defendant was found guilty), the copy of the judgment will include instructions on how to pay the fine. 

If the violator fails to comply with a judgment imposing any fine, including the Village's administrative costs, (and after they are fixed by a Court of competent jurisdiction, or by a Hearing Officer in accordance with the Village Ordinance), the full amount will be a debt due to the Village and may be collected in accordance with applicable law.

Questions?

Contact municipalviolations@lagrangepark.org