Chicago Heights takes over minor marijuana cases
Posted on 2008-12-02 09:46:46 CST
If you get caught with small amounts of marijuana in Chicago Heights, you'll no longer face criminal charges.
Instead, you'll get a ticket and go through an administrative hearing in city court, according to a new ordinance approved Monday night by the city council.
The city used its home rule authority to make the change. The new ordinance applies to those found with less than 30 grams of marijuana.
City attorney TJ Somer said addressing such offenses as ordinance violations rather than crimes helps "unclog" the criminal justice system while providing extra revenue for the city. That's because the city doesn't have to share revenue from fines with the Cook County Circuit Court system.
December 2, 2008
By Becky Schlikerman, staff writer
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