A city budget crunch means higher fees for people who break the law in the City of Chicago. Mayor Rahm Emanuel's 2012 revenue ordinance increases the municipal penalties for a variety of infractions. For example, the fine for having a car impounded as a penalty for DUI, drug charges, soliciting a prostitute or illegal possession of a firearm will double to $2,000. The fine will increase to $3,000 for violations that take place within 500 feet of a park or school.

The fine for having a vehicle impounded for driving with a suspended or revoked license will double to $1,000. Vehicle owners will also be subject to a doubled fine - from $1,000 to $2,000 - if their car is seized after being unlawfully used to flee from the police or otherwise avoid police pursuit.

Naperville Considers Fine Increases

In these difficult economic times, budget shortfalls aren't just a big-city problem. Both DuPage County and the City of Naperville are looking for solutions to fill their budget gaps.

DuPage County managed to solve its 2012 budget problems without fee increases. Instead, it is trimming its workforce and looking for efficiencies in other areas.

However, people who commit Naperville traffic violations can expect their wallets to feel a little lighter. The city council is considering whether to increase the fines for illegal parking from $30 to $50. This comes after last year's increase in speeding ticket fees. Those fines went up $45 to $55, depending on the severity of the infraction.

Of course, Naperville's actions are much less drastic than Chicago's. However, they illustrate an important point - when times are lean, getting tough on crime is an easy way to fill the coffers.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times, "City Fines and Fees Double, Triple For Minor and Major Offenses," Fran Spielman, Nov. 6, 2011.