FAQs
Do I need a permit to operate a loudspeaker or amplifier for a band?
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It shall be unlawful to maintain or operate any loudspeaker or amplifier connected with any radio, phonograph, microphone or other device by which sounds are magnified and made heard over any public street or public place in the City without having first secured a license therefor. The fee for licenses to be granted under this Division shall be as follows: $1.00 for each hour so used, or $25.00 for an annual license.
(Prior Code, § 6-7-1)
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Sec. 5-1-18-2. - Applications.
Any person desiring a license for the use or operation of such device shall file an application therefor with the City Clerk, upon a form provided by the Clerk setting forth the name and address of the applicant, the name of the owner of such device, the date upon which it is intended to be used and such other information as may be prescribed.
(Prior Code, § 6-7-2)
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Sec. 5-1-18-3. - Issuance of license.
Such license shall be issued upon the payment of the license fee, as provided in Section 5-1-18-1, to the City Clerk and shall permit the use of any such device subject to the terms and conditions of this Division.
(Prior Code, § 6-7-3)
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Sec. 5-1-18-4. - Restrictions.
(a) No licensee shall use or operate or employ any such device within the City limits on Sunday or after the hours of 8:00 p.m. prevailing time of any day or before the hour of 9:00 a.m. prevailing time of any day; no licensee shall use, operate or employ any such device within a radius of two blocks from any hospital or within the radius of two blocks from any church while funeral services are being held there.
(b) This Section shall not apply to radios in homes or in private vehicles when the same are operated in such manner as not to be audible at a distance of 50 feet from such vehicle, nor to noise devices, bands or other musical devices used in any public parade or procession which is operating under a permit in accordance with the ordinances of the City.
(c) No licensee shall cause or permit to be emanated or emitted from any such device any lewd, obscene, profane or indecent language or sounds or any false representation of any matter, produce or project advertised thereby the sale of which is prohibited by any law, ordinance or statute.
(Prior Code, § 6-7-4)
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Sec. 5-1-18-5. - Penalty.
Any person violating any provision of this Division shall be subject to penalty as provided in Section 1-1-15.
(Prior Code, § 6-7-5)
Do I need a license to sell alcohol at an event?
Classifications and License Fees
(3) Class C. Class C licenses shall authorize the short-term or limited supply of alcohol or temporarily extends the conditions of existing licenses in accordance with the Illinois Liquor Control Act, this Division and any conditions specified on the license by the Local Liquor Commissioner. Class C licenses shall not be issued when, in the opinion of the Local Liquor Commissioner, a Class A or a Class B license is more appropriate.
Class C License Fees
License | Fee |
Beer and Wine Only (Max. 20 per year) | $25.00 per day |
No Restriction on Range of Alcohol (Max. 20 per year) | $50.00 per day |
Nonprofit or Charitable Applications for the Pier** or Riverfront Event Meadow | Residents $50.00 per hour,* Others $100.00 per hour* |
All Other Applications for the Pier or Riverfront Event Meadow | Residents $100.00 per hour,* Others $200.00 per hour* |
All Other Fees for C Class Licenses | To Be Determined By Liquor Commissioner* |
*Additional Fees to be Determined by Liquor Commissioner to Reflect Expenses for Security, Safety and Health.
**Nonprofit or Charitable Applications only may also apply for a Class C License for the area on Court Street from the westerly Right-Of-Way of 5th Street to the easterly Right-Of-Way of 4th Street; Court Street from the westerly Right-Of-Way of 4th Street to the westerly Right-Of-Way of Capitol Street and Capitol Street from the northerly Right-Of-Way of Court Street to the northerly Right-Of-Way of Elizabeth Street. Only one event at a time will be allowed.
Is it unlawful for a person under the age of 18 or person who has custody of a child under 16 years of age to be absent from or permit the child not to attend school without parents permission?
(1) Whoever has custody of any child between the ages of seven and 16 years shall cause such child to attend some public, private, or parochial school in the district wherein the child resides the entire time it is in session during the regular school term.
(2) Whoever has custody or control of a child who is below the age of seven years or above the age of 16 years and who is enrolled in any of the grades 1 through 12 in the public school shall cause him to attend the public school in the district wherein he resides when it is in session during the regular school term.
(b) Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this Section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this Subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Truant means a child subject to compulsory school attendance and who is absent without valid cause from such attendance for the school day or a portion thereof.
Valid cause means illness, observance of a religious holiday, death in the immediate family, family emergency, and shall include such other situations beyond the control of the student or circumstances which cause reasonable concern to the parent for the mental, emotional, or physical health or safety of the student.
(c) It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of 18 years enrolled in a public, private or parochial school to absent himself from attendance at said school without parental permission. Any person who shall so absent himself shall be guilty of the offense of truancy and shall be subject to a fine as set forth hereafter. In the event the truant is under the age of 17 years, the parent or person having control or custody of the truant shall be responsible for any fines levied. Emergency or unforeseen absences due to illness or other causes beyond the control of the person so absenting himself from school without parental permission shall not constitute truancy if permission is submitted in writing to the proper school authorities within 24 hours after such absence.
(d) It shall be unlawful for any person who has custody or control of a child who is between the ages of seven and 16 years to permit such child not to attend some public, private or parochial school in the district wherein the child resides during the entire time it is in session during the regular school term, without reasonable and adequate excuse, such excuse including personal illness, serious family illness, death in the family, serious home emergency, necessary and lawful family support, employment, valid religious justification, or compelling family reason. Any person violating this Section is guilty of the offense of truancy and shall be subject to a fine as set forth hereafter.
(e) False excuse prohibited. It shall be an offense under this Section for a parent or other individual to knowingly submit to the proper school authorities a written excuse under Subsection (c) of this Section that contains false information, including falsification of a signature. A person convicted of an offence under this Section shall be subject to a fine set forth hereinafter.
(f) Penalty. Whoever violates any provision of this Section shall be subject to penalty of between $75.00 as a minimum and $750.00 maximum.
(Prior Code, § 6-2-6-2; Ord. No. 2383, 7-26-2004)
State Law reference— Compulsory school attendance, 105 ILCS 5/26-1 et seq.; penalty for ordinance violations, 65 ILCS 5/1-2-1.
What size sign can I place in my yard for promoting the candidacy of a person elected to a governmental office?
Portable Signs
(8) Portable signs.
a. Definition. The term "portable sign" means any sign that is not permanently anchored to a building, or to a structure, or permanently anchored in the ground and set in concrete to withstand 70 mile per hour winds. The term "portable sign" includes banners.
b. Permits. No portable signs shall be displayed without a permit; provided, however, that the following shall not require a permit:
1. Any banner 32 square feet in area or less, per side; and
2. All other portable signs 12 square feet in area or less, per side.
c. Duration. Portable signs shall be licensed as temporary signs for periods not to exceed 21 days. Each property is limited to six portable sign permits within a calendar year. The effective date of a permit must be at least 30 days after the expiration of the most recent prior permit.
d. Size limitation.
1. Portable signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area per side.
2. Signs advertising for or promoting the candidacy of a person for elected public governmental office. Provided however, that such signs not exceed 12 square feet in area per side.
e. Safety. Portable signs shall meet the following safety standards:
1. A portable sign shall not obstruct parking places or automobile or pedestrian travel lanes.
2. A portable sign shall not be located so as to obstruct traffic vision.
3. Any lighting of a portable sign must be of a type that cannot be confused with traffic controls and will not cause vehicle drivers to be distracted.
4. Any electrical connections shall be in accordance with all City codes and shall not be exposed in any way which will constitute a safety hazard.
Can I put a garage sale sign in my yard?
Garage Sale Signs
(6) Signs in or abutting residential districts.
a. Size. No sign in excess of two square feet in area shall be allowed in a residential district except temporary for sale, lease or rent signs, garage sale signs (as provided in this Section), and traffic controls, signs and devices.
b. Illuminated signs. Illuminated signs in districts abutting residential districts shall be shielded so as to direct light away from residential districts.
c. Nonaccessory signs. Nonaccessory signs shall not be permitted in any residential districts, except that nonaccessory signs pertaining to garage sale signs are permitted as described in this section, and nonaccessory signs pertaining to real estate development located within the City and designed to promote the sale of lots or homes within a subdivision located within the City may be permitted on a temporary basis in any use district but shall not be located upon subdivided land unless such land is part of the subdivision being advertised for sale and shall be subject to the requirements and conditions of all applicable codes and ordinances of the City, approved by the Building Inspector and temporary permit issued.
d. Garage sale signs. Signs advertising garage sales shall be subject to the following restrictions:
1. Garage sale signs shall not be larger than four square feet per side.
2. Garage sale signs shall not be placed on trees or utility poles.
3. A garage sale sign may be in public right-of-way with the permission of the owner of the property abutting such right-of-way.
4. A directional nonaccessory garage sale sign may be placed on property other than the location of the garage sale only with the permission of the property owner.
5. No more than three signs advertising a garage sale may be displayed for any garage sale.
6. No garage sale sign may be displayed more than one day prior to the garage sale. All garage sale signs must be removed prior to 8:00 p.m. of the last day of the garage sale.
7. The violation of any provision of this Subsection (6)d. shall be punishable by a fine of $25.00. Each day that any violation of any provision of this section of this Code continues shall constitute a separate offense. In addition to such fine, the City may remove any signs in violation of this Subsection (6)d.
Tazewell County Animal Control has picked up my cat. How much do I have to pay the City for violation of an animal running at large?
(a) Dogs.
(1) It is unlawful for any dog to run at large within the corporate limits of the City. If a dog does run at large, such dog shall be deemed a nuisance, and the owner or keeper of such dog shall be in violation of this Article. Any dog which goes upon any public street, sidewalk, alley or other public place, or upon any private property other than that of the owner of the dog, shall be deemed to be running at large unless such dog is firmly held on a leash, or is in an enclosed vehicle, or is then and there under the complete control of a competent person and obedient to that person's command.
(2) Any dog found running at large upon a public street, sidewalk, alley or other public place or upon any private property other than that of the owner of such dog shall be impounded by the Animal Control Warden. The Animal Control Warden must scan for the presence of a microchip. The Animal Control Warden shall make every reasonable attempt to contact the owner as soon as possible; and shall give notice of not less than seven business days to the owner prior to disposal of the animal. Such notice shall be mailed to the last-known address of the owner. Provided, however, any dog which has bitten a human being and cannot be safely captured, may be destroyed by the Animal Control Warden or by a Police Officer.
(3) Failure to comply with this Section is a violation for which such person shall pay a penalty of a minimum of $75.00 and a maximum of not more than $750.00.
(b) Cats. It is unlawful for any cat to run at large upon a public street, sidewalk, alley or other public place or upon any private property other than that of the owner of such and create a nuisance or disturbance. If a cat does run at large and create a nuisance or disturbance, the owner or keeper of such cat shall be in violation of this Article. In addition, the cat shall be impounded; provided, however, any cat, which has bitten a human being and cannot be safely captured, may be destroyed by the Animal Control Warden or by a Police Officer.
(c) Livestock and poultry. No person shall permit any cattle, horses, swine, sheep, goats, rabbits or poultry to run at large within the corporate limits of the City. No person shall picket or tie any such animal in any of the streets of the City for the purpose of grazing or feeding. Any such animal running at large or improperly tied shall be impounded by the Animal Control Warden; provided, however, any animal which cannot be safely captured may be destroyed by the Animal Control Warden or a Police Officer.
(Prior Code, § 6-3-15)
State Law reference— Penalty for ordinance violations, 65 ILCS 5/1-2-1.
My neighbor cuts his grass before he goes to work in the morning. The engine is loud and disturbing which also makes the dogs bark. Is there a "Noise" ordinance?
Sec. 6-5-9. - Loud Disturbing and Unnecessary Noises.
(1) Blowing horns. The sounding of any horn or signal device on any automobile, motorcycle or bus so as to create an unreasonably loud or harsh sound and the sounding of such device for an unnecessary period of time.
(2) Radios, phonographs, etc. The playing of any radio, phonograph or musical instrument with such volume, particularly between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., as to unreasonably annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any office, hospital, dwelling, hotel or other such building.
(3) Yelling, shouting, hooting, etc. Yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing, particularly on the public streets between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. or at any other time or place so as to unreasonably annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of any person in the vicinity.
(4) Pets. The keeping of any animal, bird or fowl which, by causing frequent or long continued noises, shall unreasonably disturb the comfort or repose of any person in the vicinity.
(5) Blowing whistles. The blowing of any steam whistle attached to any stationary boiler, other than to give notice of the time to begin or stop work or as a warning of fire or danger or upon request of proper City authorities.
(6) Exhaust discharge. The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any steam engine, stationary internal combustion engine, motor vehicle or motorboat engine, except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises therefrom.
(7) Building operations. The erection (including excavation), demolition, alteration or repair of any building or the excavation of streets or public places in any residential area other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, except in case of urgent necessity in the interest of public health and safety and then only with a written permit from the Director of Building Inspections.
(8) Noises, near schools, hospitals, churches, etc. The creation of any excessive noise on any street adjacent to any school, institution of learning, church or court while the same are in session or adjacent to any hospital which unreasonably interferes with the workings or sessions thereof.
(9) Noises to attract attention. The use of any drum, loudspeaker or other instrument or device for the purpose of attracting attention by creation of noise to any performance, show or sale or display of merchandise.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, demolition work shall be permitted during all hours in the area bounded by the Illinois River on the west, Second Street on the east, Margaret Street on the north and Broadway on the south.
(Prior Code, § 6-2-5-7)
Where can I ride my skateboard?
(a) Boarding or alighting from moving vehicles. No person shall board or alight from any vehicle while such vehicle is in motion.
(b) Coasters, roller skates, roller blades, skateboards, toy vehicles. No person upon roller skates, roller blades, skateboards, or riding in or by means of any coaster, toy vehicle or similar device shall go upon any roadway except while crossing a street on a crosswalk, and when so crossing, such person shall be granted all rights and shall be subject to the duties applicable to pedestrians.
(c) Operating, riding skateboards on property and within the City. No person shall operate or ride on a skateboard:
(1) On any public or private property where signs have been posted at the entrance or displayed prominently;
(2) Any place in the City in such a manner as to be dangerous to persons or property.
(Prior Code, § 8-3-12)