Darien Hires Hearing Officer As It Beefs Up Code Enforcement

DARIEN, IL — Darien is hiring a $250-an-hour administrative hearing officer to preside over cases involving violations of city ordinances for things such as lawns and fences.

On Monday, the City Council approved attorney Aaron Reinke as the hearing officer. The city plans for Reinke to hold hearings twice a month.

This decision follows the city's hiring of a part-time independent contractor in March to handle code enforcement. With the contractor, the city is increasing the number of hours for such enforcement.

Reinke already performs hearings in Darien for administrative tows, which is when police recoup the costs of towing cars of those who are arrested.

Reinke also serves as the administrative hearing officer for Lombard, Lisle, Clarendon Hills and Westmont, according to a city memo.

Now, ordinance violations go to DuPage County Court in Wheaton. With a local hearing officer, the city will get more of the fine money.

But Police Chief Greg Thomas told Patch that compliance is the goal of code enforcement, not fines.

"You'll hear me say frequently that the police department shouldn't be involved in revenue," he said.

Thomas said when he was police chief in Aurora, people learned to avoid saying the word "revenue" around him. Instead, they would refer to it as the "r-word," he said.

"Our best day is not having to issue a ticket. That means every lawn is cut and fences are in good shape," he said.

Another advantage of having the local hearing officer is that residents and city employees don't have to go to the county courthouse, which is 18 miles away.