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Police

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1. How can I appeal a parking ticket?

If you feel a parking ticket you received was issued in error, you may fill out an Appeal Form and return it within 21 days if the issuance of the citation. The Administrative Hearing Officer will review the citation and determine if it was indeed issued in error. If so, the citation will be voided and you will be notified by mail. If the Hearing Officer determines that the citation was issued properly it will be returned to you and the due date extended to allow payment or court appeal. 

There is a $40 Administrative Hearing fee for citations upheld by the Hearing Officer. You may choose to appear in person at the hearing, be sure to mark that option on the form.

2. Should bicycles be registered with the police department?

Residents are encouraged to register their bicycles with the Winnetka Police Department for easy identification in the event they are lost or stolen. Bicycles can be registered at the police station, which is located at 410 Green Bay Road or by completing the application form online. The registration sticker will be mailed. There is no charge for bicycle registration.

3. What are the Village's regulations related to dogs?

Dogs must be under the control of their owners at all times. When dogs are not on their own property, owners must ensure that their pets are under immediate control by means of a leash, cord, chain or like device, and that the dog does not commit an act that is declared by Village ordinance to be a public nuisance. It is unlawful to permit a dog to run loose or trespass on private property. By law, owners must clean up after their dogs if they defecate on other than their own property. 

In Winnetka, dogs are not allowed in Village parks or on most beaches. They are allowed on Centennial Beach, but only with the appropriate pass. Call the Winnetka Park District at 847-501-2040 for more information. 

Village ordinance limits the number of dogs kept in a household to three.

4. Is overnight parking prohibited?

Parking is prohibited on all Winnetka streets between the hours of 2 AM and 6AM.  When temporary, extraordinary circumstances require that a vehicle be left on the street overnight, you may submit your parking permission request online or call the Police department at 847-501-6034 to request special parking consideration.

5. Does the Village issue parking passes for commuters?

The Village designates parking areas around the three train stations (Indian Hill, Elm Street, and Hubbard Woods) for commuter parking. Commuter cars must display daily or six-month passes to park in these lots. Passes may be purchased at Village Hall. In some areas, a valid Village sticker must be displayed in addition to a daily or six-month commuter pass. It is best to always read signs carefully before parking a vehicle.

No permit is required for use of Village permit lots overnight or on weekends. Most lots, however, are restricted to either odd or even days when three inches of snow has fallen. Signs are posted in the affected lots.

6. What is the Village's parking policy for snow emergencies?

A snow removal emergency exists whenever two or more inches of snow falls within a 24-hour period or when two or more inches of snow remains on any roadway in the Village. Winnetka’s snow ordinance prohibits parking of vehicles on any Village street during a snow emergency. Vehicles parked in a manner that obstructs the clearance of snow during an emergency may be towed.

Village parking lots in the business districts are posted as No Parking on either odd or even days after three inches of snow. There is no parking in these lots from midnight to 6 a.m. on either odd or even days as posted.

7. Are solicitors permitted in Winnetka?

Residents and businesses may display "No Solicitors or Peddlers" signs on their property. Solicitors not heeding the signs are subject to the issuance of a citation. Every solicitor is required to carry a permit issued by the Village. Concerns about solicitors should be reported to the police department by calling 847-501-6034. 

Winnetka residents who do not wish to have solicitors visit them can request to have their homes included on a registry maintained by the police department. There is no charge for this service. To be included on the registry, email the police department or call 847-501-6034.

8. What is the curfew for juveniles?

Persons 17 years of age and under are subject to State curfew law. Curfew is from 11 PM to 6 AM. Sunday through Thursday, and Midnight to 6 AM. Friday and Saturday. A graduated driver’s license restricts drivers from operating a vehicle after 10 PM on Sundays through Thursdays, and after 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.

9. Where can motorized scooters be operated?

The operation of motor driven scooters and other "mini motorcycles" or mini bikes on anything other than private property is prohibited by the Illinois Vehicle Code. Additionally, the Cook County Board has enacted an ordinance banning motor driven scooters in Cook County.

10. Where is skateboarding prohibited?

Skateboarding is prohibited on roadways, sidewalks or parkways in the following Winnetka locations: 

• Elm Street from Birch Street to Arbor Vitae Road
• Chestnut Street from Chestnut Court to Spruce Street
• Lincoln Avenue from Oak Street to Pine Street
• Around the cenotaph at the Village Green

11. Can I use Pellet, Paintball, Air-soft, CO2 or BB guns in Winnetka?

The use of BB guns and other similar devices is permitted on private property with certain restrictions. Additional information can be found in the Winnetka Village Code, Section 9.12 and 720 ILCS 5/24.8.

12. Is it possible to schedule a tour of the police station?

Tours of the Winnetka Police Station can be arranged for youth and school groups by calling 847-501-6034. Due to operational needs, tours for parties and other private functions cannot be accommodated.

13. Who is responsible for minors who consume alcohol?

Homeowners are responsible for insuring that no minors consume alcoholic beverages on their premises. This responsibility exists even when homeowners are not personally present.  

14. Who do I contact for information about hosting a block party?

If you wish to hold a block party that will block off a public street, you must obtain permission from the Village. Call the Village Manager’s Office at 847-716-3541. When possible, the fire and police departments will try to visit your block party. Call the fire department at 847-501-6029, or the police department at 847-501-6034, to make arrangements.

15. What can I do to ensure that my home/business is secure?

Contact the Winnetka Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit at 847-501-6034 and request a security survey of your residence or business. There is no charge for this service.

16. Does the police department offer a House Watch service?

When making vacation plans, and whenever a house will be unoccupied for a period of time, residents are urged to contact the Winnetka Police Department to request their home be placed on its "House Watch List." House Watch request forms are available on the Village website or call Records at 847-501-6034.

17. How do I apply for a handicapped placard (accessible parking)?

Any motor vehicle being used to transport a person who is disabled that displays a handicapped parking placard (issued either in Illinois or in another state) may use parking areas designated for disabled individuals. Drivers of these vehicles are exempt from ordinances imposing limitations on parking with the exception of paid permit zones. However, handicapped license plates and cards do not permit parking in areas where parking is prohibited. 

The Secretary of State’s Office issues handicapped license plates and temporary or permanent handicapped parking placards. Applications can be obtained by calling the New Trier Township Office at 847-446-8202. Motor vehicles parked in handicapped parking areas without handicapped identification may be subject to $250 fines.

18. Is there a registry for identifying members of the community with special needs?

Family members who may walk away or otherwise become missing and are unable to provide identifying information (e.g. persons with Alzheimer’s, Autism, Down’s syndrome, stroke victims), can register with the Winnetka Police Department to help assist their safe return home. For more information call Records at 847-501-6034.

19. What are the Village's services for individuals with special needs?

Our consolidated dispatch center maintains a Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) that can be accessed 24-hours a day by calling 847-501-6034. Requests for any Village service can be directed to the TDD; however, the device recognizes only TDD transmissions and will not respond to audio (voice) contact. 

The Winnetka Fire Department will assist special-needs citizens with the installation of smoke detectors. Call 847-501-6029 for more information. The Village Water and Electric Department will attempt to keep power outages to a minimum and will give priority to restoring service to homes where life support equipment is in use. 

Call the Water and Electric Department at 847-716-3558, to let them know if someone in your home uses this equipment. The Winnetka Village Hall, Police Department, Fire Department, and Public Works Yards buildings are accessible to individuals with disabilities.

20. Does the Village provide social services?

The Winnetka Police Department employs a part-time social worker to provide short-term counseling services to individuals, groups and families, as well as crisis intervention, resource and referral information and community education to Winnetka residents of all ages. Services are provided without charge. Call 847-716-3431 for more information.

21. Are taxi cabs required to be licensed in the Village?

To solicit fares in Winnetka, taxi drivers must be licensed by the Village and their cabs must pass inspection by the Winnetka Police Department.

22. How does the Village address wildlife?

Wild animals are considered to be indigenous to our area and generally are beyond the responsibility of the Village animal control program. However, the Winnetka Police Department will provide assistance on those occasions when wild animals enter the living space of a residence and pose a threat to persons. Wild animals in eaves, walls, under decks, in garages, etc. are not considered to be a threat and, according to Village policy, cannot be handled by the police. Contact a licensed animal control service for these situations.

23. How does the Village regulate firearms?

Firearms dealers are prohibited. No person shall engage in the business of a firearms dealer in the Village, including exchange, loan, rental or other transfer for consideration of firearms or ammunition.

24. How do I subscribe to the Village’s emergency notification service?

The Village subscribes to "Rave Alert" an automated emergency notification service. This allows residents to be notified in the event of an emergency, such as hazardous material leaks, missing persons, water outages, boil orders, and other important messages. To receive notifications, sign-up at Smart911.com.