Elmhurst, Other Suburbs, Already Ticketing for Marijuana Possession

As the Chicago City Council prepares to vote Wednesday on police issuing tickets to those caught with a small amount of marijuana, it could look at suburbs such as Elmhurst to decide the amount of the fine.

Seventy-two home-rule communities in Illinois have the authority to ticket for marijuana possession, according to a 2011 study by Protestants for the Common Good that is cited by the Chicago Tribune.

Among the communities and fines are Hinsdale, a maximum of $750; Downers Grove, $75 to $750; Wheaton, $950 maximum; and Elmhurst, $500 to $1,000, according to the Chicago Tribune story.

An ordinance approved last week by the City Council’s Public Safety Committee authorizes fines between $250 and $500.    

If approved Wednesday, Chicago police officers as soon as July could issue tickets to someone possessing 15 grams or less of marijuana. Those caught smoking marijuana, carrying it at parks or schools, trying to sell the drug or anyone younger than 17 who is caught with cannabis still would be arrested.

The city is looking to reduce the time police officers spend on these arrests. It takes four hours of officers' time to make an arrest versus 30 minutes for testing marijuana and ticketing.