City of St. Charles, Illinois
Departments

9-1-1

Accident: Report, Vehicle

Accident: Vehicle

Bad Check Restitution

Bicycle Permit Registration

Car Seat Installation

City Laws/Codes

Complaints

Curfew

Dogs, Stray/Wild Animal

Domestic Abuse/Violence

Electric Scooters

Fingerprinting

FOID

Hiring

Identity/Credit Card Theft

Jurisdiction

Leash Law

Mosquito Abatement
West Nile Virus

Parking, Overnight

Parking, Winter/Snowstorm

Pets, Number

Report: Incident
(other than a vehicle accident)

Soliciting

Speaker, Scheduling

Ticket: Parking, Dispute

Ticket: Parking, Pay

Ticket: Traffic/ State

Anytime a police officer, firefighter, paramedic, or ambulance is needed, call 9-1-1. If you are not sure if you need any of these services, call and explain the situation and your need. A determination will then be made by the Tri-Com Dispatch Center. Examples of occasions when a citizen should call 9-1-1 are: all vehicle crashes; suspicious automobiles, persons, or noises; loud parties; lost or found articles.

Please click here for more information on the Tri-Com Dispatch Center.

The Secretary of State's office recommends the following steps to take in the event you are involved in a crash:

• Stop your vehicle in a safe, well-lighted, public place
• Help any injured persons if necessary or requested. Protect the person from traffic. Cover the injured person for comfort and to avoid shock. Do not move an injured person unless absolutely necessary. Do not attempt to give first aid unless you have been trained in it. Contact 911 immediately.
• Some should warn other drivers, using flares if available.
• Ask all those involved for their names, addresses, phone numbers, driver's license numbers, and license plate numbers.
• Notify the nearest police department as quickly as possible.

This and additional information regarding what to do in the event you are involved in a traffic crash may be found by contacting the Illinois Secretary of State's office at www.sos.state.il.us.

The Kane County State’s Attorney has implemented a Bad Check Restitution Program to assist local merchants and citizens with bad check losses under $5,000. This program is designed to obtain full restitution for the victims without adding to the financial burden of the criminal justice system. Checks ineligible for the Kane County State's Attorney Bad Check Restitution Program may be pursued via small claims court or by a private collection agency. The Victim Hotline is 1-877-841-4266 or call Check Writers at 1-877-841-4752.

The City does not require that bicycles be registered, although if a bike is lost or stolen, registration assures that, if recovered, the bike can be traced back to the owner.  Please see the Bicycle Registration information on the Crime Prevention Programs & Services page of our web site.

DO NOT approach the animal. Try to keep your distance and if possible go into your home or other shelter where the animal cannot reach you.

Provide the Tri-Com communications center with as much information about the animal as you can. If possible, answer the following questions:

• What type of an animal is it? (Dog, cat, fox, opossum, skunk, raccoon, deer, coyote, squirrel)                                                                                     
• What is the problem with the animal (stray, injured, possibly dangerous) and why you think there is a problem?

An officer will be dispatched to determine the extent of the problem and whether the City of St. Charles can assist.  If not, the officer may suggest either Kane County Animal Control or a private service to resolve the problem.

For additional information regarding Kane County Animal Control, contact them at www.co.kane.il.us/animalcontrol.

Report the crime to the Police – Call 9-1-1

Domestic violence is a serious crime. The police must respond to your call. If you are the victim of domestic abuse, you should call 9-1-1 and have a police office dispatched to your home or location. Make sure to tell the police all the details regarding the domestic violence incident and inform the police about any prior incidents of domestic violence, regardless of whether you reported the incident. If you are on welfare or your family is working with another social service agency or organization, tell your social worker what happened. You can also call the local domestic violence hotline for help and support or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.

Seek Medical Assistance

If you have physical or emotional injuries, you should seek treatment for those injuries. Tell the medical professional, your private doctor or someone in the hospital clinic or emergency room how you received the injury or why you are emotionally upset. Ask the medical professional to document your injury, how it happened, and include photographs of your injury in your medical record.

Document Your Injury

If you have been the victim of domestic violence it is helpful to law enforcement for you to document the injury. For instance, if you have physical injuries, you should take photographs of your injuries.

File A Complaint

If you are the victim of domestic violence, you may file a complaint.  Please visit the Kane County State’s Attorney Domestic Violence Unit web site for additional information on filing a Domestic Violence complaint.  Following are additional resources on domestic violence.

The Community Crisis Center provides a domestic violence counselor who comes to the Police Department every Thursday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. For further information, please contact the Crisis Center at (847) 697-2380.

Lazarus House also offers a program for victims of domestic violence who are residents of St. Charles. Additionally, Lazarus House offers shelter to women and children of domestic violence who don't want to go to the Crisis Center, but would be willing to go to the Lazarus House for shelter.  For further information, please contact Darlene Marcussen at (630) 587-2144 or visit http://www.lazarushouseonline.com/.

Kane County State’s Attorney Domestic Violence Unit - http://www.co.kane.il.us/sao/domestic/domestic.htm

Illinois Attorney General Advocating for Women - http://www.ag.state.il.us/women/index.html

Illinois Pro-Bono: A Victim’s Safety Plan for Domestic Violence - http://www.illinoisprobono.org

Illinois Department of Public Health Facts About Domestic Violence - http://www.idph.state.il.us/about/womenshealth/factsheets/dv.htm 

Illinois State Police Law on Domestic Violence - http://www.isp.state.il.us/crime/domesticvio.cfm

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence - http://www.ncadv.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline - http://www.ndvh.org

American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence - http://www.abanet.org/domviol

If you need further information,
please contact:

Officer Dawn Churney
dchurney@stcharlesil.gov

The State of Illinois Vehicle Code requires all persons operating a motor vehicle on the highway to have a valid driver's license and insurance. Although electric scooters typically do not exceed a speed of approximately 15 mph, they remain classified as a motor vehicle. They are also required to have a headlight, taillights, brake light, and registration (license plate). State law also prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle on the sidewalk. A person can legally operate an electric scooter on their own property or the property of another where permission has been given to do so. Further information may be obtained from Commander of Traffic and Special Events Erik Mahan at 630.762.6944.

Yes, this service is provided for people who reside within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Police Department and for people who work in St. Charles. Effective October 1, 2009, there is a $15 fee for this service.

In the City of St. Charles, guns do not need to be registered, but OWNERS do.  This is done with a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card.  The program is administered by the Illinois State Police, but as a courtesy, forms are available at the front desk of the St. Charles Police Department.  Please call the Firearms Services Bureau, Customer Service Unit at 1-217-782-7980 with questions.  An automated application request is also available at 1-217-782-5063 or visit the web site at http://www.isp.state.il.us/foid/firearms.cfm.

The Police Department currently has an authorized strength of 57 sworn officers. When a sworn position becomes available, the Department utilizes its current eligibility list from which to draw possible candidates.

The current eligibility list became effective on February 16, 2007. In advance of the expiration of an eligibility register, the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners will initiate a testing procedure. Notices appear in several area newspapers, as well as on the City's website. Click here for more detailed information on the status of the current list and testing procedure, or contact Sara Cass at scass@stcharlesil.gov.

Pet owners shall keep such animals exclusively on such owner's premises, except that any such animal may be off the premises if restrained by a substantial leash, chain, or other appropriate instrument or physical device and under the direct supervision and immediate control of a competent person.

For further information regarding the City's leash law, please reference Sections 6.04.050, 6.12.010, and 6.12.030 of the Municipal Code.

The snow parking restrictions are in effect from November 1through April 30 and are detailed in Section 10.40.060 of the St. Charles Municipal Code. Snow routes are marked with blue signs. The Police Department will begin enforcing these parking regulations approximately one hour after the 2” accumulation has been reached.

A citywide parking ban may be put into effect with 3” or more of snow has accumulated and full plowing operations are underway.  Section 10.40.070 states that cars may not be parked on streets or highways for 72 hours after the 3” accumulation has been reached.  Cars may be towed, per Section 10.40.090, to a cleared street or designated parking lot. The Police Department will begin enforcing these parking regulations approximately one hour after the 3” accumulation is reached.

Please review the City’s snow parking restrictions in the Traffic and Parking section of our web site.

The City limits a total of three dogs and/or cats in any household, apartment, or any other dwelling unit within the City. Title six of the City's code will provide further information. The City also requires that all dogs and cats over four months of age be inoculated against rabies.

Please also note that City Code does not allow for animals to be left outside, on a leash or otherwise restrained on the owner's property, while unattended.

If you believe that a parking ticket was issued improperly, the first step is to contact the Police Department and ask for the Traffic Unit Supervisor.  Either phone the non-emergency number (630-377-4435) or come in to the front desk Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.  Our front desk personnel will locate the Traffic Unit Supervisor for you. 

If the Traffic Unit Supervisor determines that the ticket was improperly issued or issued in error, the ticket will be voided.  If the facts presented to the Traffic Unit Supervisor causes the ticket to remain in effect, the second step to dispute the ticket is to request a hearing at the administrative adjudication proceeding.

Administrative Adjudication is a proceeding in front of a hearing officer who listens to evidence presented by the City of St. Charles and by the accused who then makes a determination of liability or non-liability.  Such hearings can be utilized for non-criminal offenses that are punishable only by fine. The hearing officer is an attorney licensed by the State of Illinois.  Illinois statutes allow for an appeal of the hearing officer’s determination in the circuit court.

Such hearings allow the accused to present their case in a less formal atmosphere where the strict rules of evidence in the circuit court do not necessarily apply.  The hearings are scheduled for the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, making these hearings much more accessible than the circuit court.  These hearings are designed for a fair and efficient disposition of an alleged ordinance violation.

A state ticket is issued for a number of infractions, but most typically for moving violations (e.g. speeding) or certain other vehicle/traffic violations.  A number of state tickets marked as “Court Appearance Not Required” can be paid by mail (using the green envelope provided by the officer) or in person at the Kane County Circuit Clerk’s office. (540 S. Randall / St. Charles / 630-232-3413).  These tickets are NOT paid at the St. Charles Police Department.  Some traffic convictions can be kept off your record by choosing the “Driver Safety Program” option detailed on the flyer in the green envelope you received from the officer along with your ticket.  This option can also be handled by mail or in person at the Circuit Clerk’s office.