Loves Park Police to Issue E-Tickets Next Year

 By Margaret Downing, REPORTER

At the Nov. 28 Loves Park City Council meeting, aldermen approved a resolution “authorizing the execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement” between the City and the Winnebago County Circuit Clerk’s office for “an electronic citation program.” According to Police Chief Chuck Lynde, the program won’t be up and running immediately. “The Circuit Court Office says in the first quarter of 2017, but it could be a little longer than that,” he explained. Under the new program, there will be less input needed when a citation is issued. Lynde said, “Right now there are three chances for errors – when the officer writes the ticket, when office staff enters the information into a computer, and then when the Clerk’s office enters data into its computer system. This new procedure will cut down on paperwork and be more accurate. The officer enters data into his computer and everything will automatically transfer to the ticket electronically from the driver’s license bureau.” Winnebago County will provide any additional equipment needed for officers to do the job, such as readers and printers. Costs associated will be an additional five dollars to the person who receives the ticket.

Alderman Clint Little gave the weekly Police Activity Report for the week of Nov. 20-26, in which 421calls for service were received, 153 arrests, warnings and tickets were issued, and 10 accidents were responded to. On the weekly Fire Department Report dated Nov. 27, one fire call, one fire alarm call, one false fire alarm call, one wires down, one extrication, and one smoke or odor investigation call were received for the week. A total of about 85 man-hours were spent during the week on the ‘Light Up the Parks Parade.’ Aldermen okayed payment of $27,606.42 in Water Department bills, and $184,907.47 in general fund and all other bills, as presented Nov. 21.

Alderman Greg Jury noted that the ending balance for the Treasurer’s October Report was $8,731,216.44.

A resolution authorizing the Water Department Manager to purchase replacement commercial steel doors “with installation” at Water Well No. 5 was passed. The doors are to be purchased from ‘Eastsiders,’ a Rockford remodeling company. Cost is not to exceed $7,153. Another resolution, this authorizing the Water Department Manager to purchase two replacement commercial steel entry doors with installation for the Water Department Office was also passed. Eastsiders will also do this job, cost not to exceed $5,560. A resolution accepting low bidder, Medrano’s Landscaping of Rockford, for the 2016/17 winter snow plowing work, was approved. Per event cost will be: $360 for the City Hall parking lot, $150 for Fire Station No. 1, $90 for Fire Station No. 2, and $340 for the Police Department lot. A resolution authorizing the Public Works/Community Development Director to purchase a 2017 Ford 550 truck at state bid pricing for the Street Department was okayed. The truck will be purchased from Rock River Ford for $34,532 with Bonnel Industries of Dixon to provide a ‘service body’ for $8,815, a crane for $12,992, and truck lighting, etc. for $4,100. Mayor Darryl Lindberg noted, “This will eliminate over-lifting for (public works) employees.”

An ordinance, second reading, was approved for a Class R1 (restaurant with enclosed beer garden) liquor license for Pub 815 on E. Riverside Blvd.