Western Springs, IL - Official Website

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Police

1. What happens to my lost pet?: The Police Department frequently retrieves lost pets. If a pet has a license, as required by the Village, pet and owner are quickly reunited (owners are assessed a $35 fee for lost pets). Please call the Police nonemergency number, (708) 246-8540, regarding lost pets.

2. What is the fine for disobeying a railroad crossing signal?: With 160 to 200 trains passing through the Village each day, railroad safety is a serious concern in Western Springs. Illinois State Law imposes a mandatory $500 fine, or 50 hours of community service, for drivers and pedestrians failing to obey railroad crossing signals—walking or driving under or around lowered guard gates at railroad crossings. Western Springs, like many Chicago-area communities, has multiple, adjacent railroad tracks. A leading cause of railroad fatalities is pedestrians disregarding the lowered railroad gates once one train has passed, and crossing the tracks into the path of a second train.

3. Will the Police Department check my home when I am away?: Police Department staff will check homes while residents are on an extended trip. Forms requesting information on the resident’s length of absence and emergency contacts are available at the Police Department or online here.

4. When should I call to report suspicious activity?: If you feel it is suspicious activity, it probably is. You are the one who is familiar with your neighborhood. Call 9-1-1 as soon as possible, explain the problem, the location, and the description of individuals or vehicles. You do not have to leave your name.

5. Where can I ride my motorized scooter?: The Village does not have a separate ordinance regarding motorized scooters. State law prohibits them from being operated on a sidewalk or in the street. The only places to legally ride a motorized scooter are on your own property or on other private property with the owner’s permission.

6. Should I lock my doors on my car or my house?: Western Springs is an exceptionally safe community and residents may feel it is not necessary to lock their cars or homes; however, there are times when car burglars will go from car to car and just enter the unlocked cars stealing money and valuables. If the car had been locked, the burglar would have just moved on without taking anything. You should also lock your house. Often times a burglar will just reach inside the house and grab a purse by the back door or a set of car keys.

7. Will the Police Department take my fingerprints for a job application or professional license?: The Police Department will take fingerprints for job applications, a professional license or for immigration purposes for both residents and non-residents of Western Springs or for people who are being fingerprinted because of a business or profession located in Western Springs. Fingerprinting is done by appointment only and a nominal fee may apply. For fingerprinting appointments or further information, contact the department at 708-246-8540.

8. Can officers search individuals and vehicles for no reason?: Police officers can search individuals and vehicles, without a warrant, for a number of reasons. Different types of searches are governed by constitutional law and must be reasonable according to the circumstances of the encounter. Police officers are trained and updated on the latest search and seizure case law.

9. What is bond?: When a person receives a traffic ticket or is arrested, they have to post bail or a bond. This is a surety that the person will come to court. For a traffic ticket, a person can post $75 cash bond ($100 cash bond for more serious violations) or a bail bond card. Bond for misdemeanors is $100 and a judge must set the bond for felony charges. If you are found innocent, the bond will be refunded.

10. What is the difference between an ordinance violation and a criminal violation?: The Village of Western Springs is allowed to enact ordinances to cover building codes, minor traffic offenses and various liquor and drug offenses. If a person is arrested for an ordinance violation, they cannot go to jail for that offense. It is considered a "fine only" and it is not a permanent mark on their record.

11. What is court supervision?: Court supervision is the finding of the court, which allows a person to plead guilty to a traffic ticket or minor offense and not receive a conviction on their driving record or criminal record. It is a form of probation where the person must report to the judge and stay out of trouble for a specified period of time. When a person successfully completes court supervision, they will have to pay a fine, but they will not have a mark on their criminal record.