Kane County, Illinois Officials Consider Fine For Loud Car Stereos
PUBLICATION: Chicago Daily Herald
DATE: January 7, 1998
SECTION: News; Pg. 6
BYLINE: Eric Krol Daily Herald Staff Writer
DATELINE: Kane County, Illinois

The Chicago Daily Herald reports that Kane County, Illinois officials recently recommended approval of a measure that would allow sheriff's police to issue a $50 ticket to offenders whose car stereos can be heard from 75 feet away. "It's unfortunate we have to have a law like this," board member Rudy Neuberger, an Aurora Democrat, said in the article. "It's just unfortunate we have to regulate consideration for other people."

According to the article, the county's measure would apply to unincorporated areas in the county. Several towns in Kane County already have ordinances to deal with noisy car stereos. The city of Elgin adopted an anti-noise law two years ago. City officials acted after receiving numerous complaints from residents about teens blaring their stereos through neighborhoods. Elgin's law fines drivers $150 for a first conviction, $250 for a second conviction and $500 for a third within the same year.

The article also reports that while St. Charles and Geneva do not have noisy car stereo laws, police say they can use a disturbing the peace law, which carries a fine of up to $500, to deal with loud cars.

According to the article, Neuberger suggested the county look at a stricter anti-noise law similar to one Aurora adopted. Aurora's law allows police to impound the offending vehicle. It also includes a $75 fine and $250 impoundment fee.

But, the article reports, county board attorney Bob Sandner said he doubted such a strict measure would hold up in court if someone challenged it. Sandner said the county must model its law after state guidelines. The full county board is likely to approve the noisy car stereo law when it meets next Wednesday.