Changes to the Illinois Vehicle Code for 2010           

            Effective January 1, 2010, the Illinois Legislature enacted two laws in an attempt to further reduce incidences of distracted driving. 
            The new legislation regulates the use of cell phones in school and construction zones, and other electronic communication while driving.  They are summarized below. 
            A person may not operate a motor vehicle on a roadway while using an electronic communication device to compose, send, or read an electronic message.
            Examples of electronic communication devices are wireless or cellular telephone, PDAs, or portable computers.  An electronic message includes, but is not limited to, e-mail, text messages, instant messages or a request to access an internet site.
            A person may not use a wireless telephone in a school speed zone or a construction or maintenance speed zone, unless engaged in a highway construction or maintenance project in furtherance of that project.

Penalties

            The penalty for violating either of these measures results in a moving violation that will go on the motorist’s driving record as well as accompanying fines and court costs to be determined by the judge.
            Additional penalties that may be imposed in school zones, as follows.
            Speeding in a school crossing zone between 7AM and 4PM on days when school is in operation and when school children are present, will result in a $150 fine.
            A driver who causes harm to a child or crossing guard in a school crossing zone is subject to imprisonment and fines of up to $25,000 as well as a possible minimum one-year suspension of driving privileges.

Winnetka’s Hands-free Cell Phone Ordinance

            Motorists are reminded that the Village of Winnetka has an ordinance prohibiting the use of hand-held cell phones.  The law requires that cell phones only be used with a hands-free device or in a hands-free mode.  The hand-held cell phone ban became effective February 1, 2007 and was enacted to promote safer driving in Winnetka.  This law  is applicableat all times throughout the legal boundaries of the Village.

For additional information on amendments to the Illinois Vehicle Code, please click here.

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Possession of Tobacco by Minors

Are you aware that the Illinois State Legislature recently amended state law, making it illegal for a minor to possess tobacco ?

The statute calls for escalating fines for additional multiple offenses within a one year period.  The first offense is subject to a $25.00 fine.  A second offense within 12 months calls for a $50.00 fine. A third or subsequent offense calls for a $100.00 fine.  A copy of the law is provided for reference below.  Parents, please discuss this new provision of the law with your children who are under the age of 18.

     720 ILCS 675/1) (from Ch. 23, par. 2357)
    (Text of Section from P.A. 96‑179)

    Sec. 1. Prohibition on sale to and possession of tobacco by minors; use of identification cards; vending machines; lunch wagons; out‑of‑package sales.
    (a) No minor under 18 years of age shall buy any cigar, cigarette, smokeless tobacco or tobacco in any of its forms. No person shall sell, buy for, distribute samples of or furnish any cigar, cigarette, smokeless tobacco or tobacco in any of its forms, to any minor under 18 years of age.
    (a‑5) No minor under 16 years of age may sell any cigar, cigarette, smokeless tobacco, or tobacco in any of its forms at a retail establishment selling tobacco products. This subsection does not apply to a sales clerk in a family‑owned business which can prove that the sales clerk is in fact a son or daughter of the owner.
    (a‑6) No minor under 18 years of age in the furtherance or facilitation of obtaining any cigar, cigarette, smokeless tobacco, or tobacco in any of its forms shall display or use a false or forged identification card or transfer, alter, or deface an identification card.
    (a‑7) No minor under 18 years of age shall possess any cigar, cigarette, smokeless tobacco, or tobacco in any of its forms.

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CRIME PREVENTION ALERT

● Incident: Several North Shore communities recently experienced condominium related burglaries.  Most of these incidents occurred during day time hours.  Once the burglars gained entry to the building they usually forced open the door to the individual unit.

● Recommendations: Do not allow any unauthorized people into the building; including holding the lobby door open for or buzzing in strangers.  If you enter/leave through the garage make certain the overhead door closes behind you.

Communicate with your neighbors and watch out for each other especially if you know your neighbors are away.  Always keep doors locked; use the deadbolt, alarm system and chain if so equipped.  Secure valuables, such as jewelry, in a bank safe deposit box.

Report any suspicious activity/persons/telephone calls to the Winnetka Police Department immediately at 847-501-6034.  If you believe a crime is being committed dial 911.  In the past, burglars have posed as contractors or workmen and parked their vehicles nearby.  Do not take suspicious sounds or people for granted.  PLEASE HELP US PROTECT YOUR HOME AND APPREHEND THE OFFENDERS—DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY TO CALL.

● Security Survey: The Winnetka Police Department Crime Prevention Unit offers free security surveys. Upon request, an officer will conduct a survey of your building/property and make recommendations on how you can make the building more secure and reduce the opportunity of becoming the victim of a crime.  For more information or to schedule a survey please contact Sergeant Marc Hornstein at 847-716-3409.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT "POLICE" TELEPHONE SOLICITATIONS

One issue that is continually brought to the attention of the Winnetka Police Department is fundraising attempts through telephone solicitation of residents and businesses. Many of these fundraisers will imply that the Winnetka Police Department in some way benefits from the donation. In fact, it does not. The Winnetka Police Department does not authorize, nor does it want, any organization to solicit on its behalf. The Department is funded through municipal taxes and fees that are authorized and budgeted by the Village of Winnetka Board of Trustees.

If a fundraiser states that he represents the Winnetka Police Department, you are asked to please notify the Winnetka Police Department so the incident can be documented. When reporting these solicitations, residents are asked to provide as much information as possible, including the name of the person calling, the name and address of the organization, and any telephone numbers provided. Illinois law requires paid fundraisers to identify themselves as such and to name the organization for which they are soliciting. The solicitations can be reported to the Winnetka Police Department by calling (847) 501-6034. 

In some cases, organizations, such as the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, the Metropolitan Alliance of Police, and the Fraternal Order of Police, may, in fact, have individual members of the Winnetka Police Department as members of their organization. However, no one at the Winnetka Police Department has given consent to or hired telemarketers to solicit funds on behalf of the Department. The decision to solicit funds through this type of telemarketing is being made by persons outside of our community.

The Winnetka Police Department receives no direct benefit from these solicitations, nor would it accept any. Some telemarketers may not only imply that they are the Winnetka Police, but they may also suggest that donating will somehow improve the donor’s service level. This could not be further from the truth. The Winnetka Police Department prides itself on the high level of service it provides to all of its customers.

To learn more about Illinois laws regarding charitable solicitations, you may also visit the Illinois Attorney General’s Office website at: www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov.

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INTERNET SAFETY INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

The following web site provides internet safety information for parents:  www.isafe.org

New Programs Help Public Safety Personnel to Better Serve the Community

          On August 28, 2009, the Illinois Premise Alert Program was enacted into law. The program was created to help public safety personnel respond to individuals with disabilities or special needs.
          To sign up for the program, click here. If you would like more information about this program, please visit the Illinois Secretary of State website at: www.cyberdriveillinois.com.

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NEW DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HELPLINE

            A Statewide Domestic Violence Help Line has been implemented by the City of Chicago's Division on Domestic Violence in the Department of Family Support Services. The help line, 1-877-TO END DV, provides a toll-free, 24-hour, 7-days-a-week, multilingual, confidential service to all Illinois residents.

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Safe Haven Act Update

            The Illinois legislature has extended the timeframe a parent has to safely relinquish their newborn to a Safe Haven site to a full 30 days.  All hospitals, police and fire stations, and sheriff offices are designated Safe Havens.  If you have any questions, or want more information, email info@saveabandonedbabies.org or visit this website:  www.saveabandonedbabies.org.

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COYOTES IN WINNETKA

Recently, some residents have expressed concerns about coyote sightings in the Village of Winnetka. While this may be shocking to some, it is not unusual anywhere in the Chicago Metropolitan area according to State and local wildlife experts. Widespread development may have resulted in a temporary loss of natural habitat for coyotes, but it has actually resulted in more food for them.

Coyotes are typically found in brushy areas, wooded edges and open grasses, but they have adapted extremely well to living in the "urban wilderness" as well.
They like to travel along paths, trails and waterways. They are most active from dusk until dawn, but may be seen during the day, especially in the summer when they are raising their litter of pups.

The Winnetka Police Department has been contacted by residents who wanted information on the threat that coyotes may pose to their pets and young children. According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources statistics, coyote attacks against humans are rare. Their statistics show that there have been only 16 cases of coyotes attacking humans in a 30 year period. This usually occurs when people try to hand feed the coyotes. According to the IDNR, the number one rule is NEVER FEED COYOTES.

Feeding coyotes completely breaks down their natural fear of humans, and can cause them to become unusually aggressive. In order to avoid coyotes viewing humans as a food source at all, experts recommend securing garbage cans so coyotes don’t become regular visitors scavenging for scraps in the back yard. Bringing in dog or cat food in the evening also eliminates a potential food source. While coyotes can pose a threat to small cats and dogs, a simple solution is to KEEP DOGS ON A LEASH AND BRING CATS IN AT NIGHT.

Remember, feeding wildlife is feeding the food chain for coyotes. In order to minimize coyote encroachments on your property DO NOT FEED WILDLIFE.

Some people are under the impression that aggressively trapping and killing coyotes will help to reduce the coyote population. IDNR Biologist Bob Bluett states that trying to reduce and control the coyote population will not work. He states that the void created by an animal’s death will be filled within three to four weeks. The animals are also very smart and difficult to catch in a live trap. Mr. Bluett suggests that unless an animal has demonstrated aggressiveness toward a human or a domestic pet, the coyote should be left alone. In the event of aggressiveness, an Illinois Department of Natural Resources licensed trapper should be contacted to address the problem animal.

Indigenous wild animals in the Village of Winnetka will be handled within the guidelines of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife laws. If one of these animals has acted aggressively toward a person or has otherwise endangered the safety of a person, or attacked a domestic pet, the Police Department will contact one of the IDNR licensed trapping services for trapping and appropriate disposition of the animal. Residents are asked to call the Winnetka Police Department 911 Emergency Number to report animals meeting these criteria.