The Village of Chatham has an ordinance that governs what types of waste residents are able to burn and when they are allowed to do so. Ordinance § 97.01 states the following:

§ 97.01 BURNING OF WASTE.

(A) As used in this section, YARD WASTE includes and is limited to leaves, grass clippings, wood chips, and garden waste such as weeds and stalks. YARD WASTE does not include tree and shrub branches. OTHER WASTE includes paper, plastic, domestic waste, waste oil, tires, construction waste, lumber, and every other type of garbage, rubbish, or refuse not specifically within the definition of YARD WASTE, other than tree and shrub branches.

(B) Burning of yard waste is prohibited within the corporate limits of the village, except in areas which are zoned P-1 under the zoning regulations of this code of ordinances.

(C) The burning of other waste is prohibited at all times in all areas within the corporate limits of the village.

(D) Burning of yard waste in areas which are zoned P-1 under the zoning regulations of this code of ordinances is subject to the following regulations:

(1) Burning of yard waste is permitted Wednesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Each fire must be completely extinguished by 7:00 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, and 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.

(2) No burning of yard waste is permitted on any state or national holiday.

(3) No burning of yard waste is permitted when the wind is in excess of 12 mph.

(4) Burning of yard waste must be personally supervised at all times by a person at least 14 years of age.

(5) Persons burning yard waste shall do so with due regard for the safety of others and shall take appropriate precautions to insure that the fire is contained at all times.

(6) The burning of yard waste producing obnoxious orders or emitting excessive smoke is prohibited.

(7) Burning of yard waste shall be conducted so as not to create a visibility hazard on any roadway, sidewalk or private drive.

(8) No yard waste may be burned, except yard waste which was generated on the zoning lot where the burning occurs.

(E) Burning of tree and shrub branches in all areas of the village is subject to the following regulations:

(1) Burning of branches is permitted Wednesday through Saturday.

(2) Persons burning branches shall do so with due regard for the safety of others and shall take appropriate precautions to ensure that the fire is contained at all times.

(F) The Village Police Department is charged with the responsibility of monitoring and enforcing this section. The Village Police Department may order the extinguishment of any fire which, in the opinion of the officer on duty, violates this section.

(G) Burning of yard waste, other waste and branches within the village in violation of this section is declared a nuisance.

(Ord. 93-47, passed 9-28-93; Am. Ord. 03-78, passed 12-16-03) Penalty, see § 97.99?

For private residences, the answer is no. The Village of Chatham does not have a noise ordinance on the books that limits loud music or noise. Instead, all complaints about loud music or noise fall under state breach of peace laws. If you are being disturbed by a neighbor’s loud music or noise, please contact us and we will send an officer out to investigate.

Many of our children’s programs and events are funded in part by the Crime Prevention Program. Anyone wishing to donate to this fund can mail a check to Chief of Police Vernon Foli. Please make the check payable to the Chatham Police Crime Prevention Program.

Although there are a few exceptions, most police reports must be filed in person at the Chatham Police Department.

Generally, most police reports are subject to release by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). However, each case and/or report is assessed individually based on the content of the report.

NOTE: Cases that are still under investigation are unable to be released. No juvenile information can be released.

FOIA forms can be picked up in person at the Chatham Police Department or can be submitted online HERE.

Unfortunately, the Chatham Police Department is no longer able to assist citizens or motorists with regaining entry into their locked vehicles unless it involves a health or safety emergency. If the vehicle lockout does involve a health or safety emergency, please call 911.

If no health or safety emergency is present, we recommend contacting a local tow company or your insurance agent for assistance in getting back into your vehicle.

The fine for each of these ordinance violations is $250. For ordinance fine payments made during normal business hours, the Village of Chatham Utility Office located at 116 E. Mulberry Street accepts cash, credit, or debit. For payments made outside of normal business hours, payments may be made at the Chatham Police Department in the form of CASH ONLY, and ALL PAYMENTS MUST BE EXACT. This is due to the fact that our dispatchers are unable to electronically process credit or debit payments.

If you have a lost or found pet please contact the Chatham Police Department at 217-483-2453.  We have the ability to check the dog for a microchip.

Please have a description of the animal available as well as any other important information about the animal.  Our dispatch keeps a log of all lost pets and we can help to reconnect you to your lost pet if it has been found.

Also, consider posting information about the lost or found pet in one of the various Facebook group pages, such as “Chatham Central”, “Village Voices of Chatham”, or “Lost and Found Pets Chatham, Illinois”. Many times, the owners are located and reunited with their missing pets through the use of these social media pages.

If you believe there is a power outage somewhere in the Village of Chatham, please contact the Village of Chatham Utility Office with the location of the outage at 217-483-2451.

For after-hour calls, please contact the Chatham Police Department at 217-483-2453.

Please note that in the event of a power outage, dispatch is often inundated with calls about the outage.  Please be brief with the dispatcher.  The only information they need is your address.

If you believe there is a water main break somewhere in the Village of Chatham, please contact the Village of Chatham Utility Office with the location of the suspected water main break at 217-483-2451.

For after-hour calls, please contact the Chatham Police Department at 217-483-2453.

Any vehicle towed for a village ordinance violation is subject to a $250 fine that must be paid PRIOR to getting the vehicle out of the tow yard. During normal business hours, the $250 ordinance fine can be paid by cash, credit, or debit at the Village of Chatham Utility Office located at 116 E. Mulberry Street. Outside of normal business hours, the $250 can be paid in cash only, due to the fact that our dispatchers are unable to electronically process credit or debit payments.

NOTE: If paid outside normal business hours, the $250 cash MUST BE EXACT. Dispatchers CANNOT make change.

The registered owner must be present or available by phone if needed and the person whom the vehicle is released to must present a valid driver’s license.

Yes. All dog bites should be reported so that police and/or animal control can ensure the dog has been properly vaccinated.

Graduated Driver Licensing Phases Permit Phase — Drivers Age 15

• Parent/legal guardian consent required to obtain an instruction permit.
• Must be enrolled in an approved driver education course and must pass vision and written tests.
• Nighttime driving restrictions — Sun.-Thurs., 10 p.m.-6 a.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 p.m.-6 a.m. (local curfews may differ).
• Permit must be held for a minimum of nine months.
• Must practice driving a minimum of 50 hours, including 10 hours at night, supervised by a parent or adult age 21 or older with a valid driver’s license.
• Must not acquire any driving infractions, underage alcohol convictions or court supervisions during the nine-month permit phase.
• Number of passengers is limited to one in the front seat and the number of safety belts in the back seat.
• Cellphone/wireless use while driving, including a hands-free device, is prohibited for drivers under age 19, except in the case of an emergency to contact a law enforcement agency, health care provider or emergency services agency.
• Permit is valid for up to two years.

Sanctions

• To obtain court supervision for a traffic violation, a driver must appear in court with a parent/legal guardian and also must attend traffic safety school. Limit one court supervision for serious driving offenses.
• A moving violation conviction results in a nine-month waiting period before applying for a driver’s license.
• Not eligible for any hardship permit.
• Anyone caught driving without a permit is ineligible to obtain a driver’s license until age 18.
• A person under age 18 who has any unresolved traffic citations may not be issued a driver’s license until the citation is resolved.
• Driver’s License Suspension for Nighttime Driving Restriction Violation — A person under the age of 18 who violates the nighttime driving restriction may have their driving privileges suspended.

Initial Licensing Phase — Drivers Ages 16-17

• Parent/legal guardian must certify that a minimum of 50 hours of practice driving, including 10 hours at night, has been completed.
• Parent/legal guardian must accompany teen to provide written consent to obtain a driver’s license OR complete and notarize an Affidavit/Consent for Minor to Drive form.
• Must have completed a state-approved driver education course.
• Nighttime driving restrictions — Sun.-Thurs., 10 p.m.-6 a.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 p.m.-6 a.m. (local curfews may differ).
• Must maintain a conviction-free driving record for six months prior to turning 18. A traffic conviction during the Initial Licensing Phase may extend restrictions beyond age 18.
• For the first 12 months of licensing or until the driver turns 18, whichever occurs first, the number of passengers is limited to one person under age 20, unless the passenger(s) is a sibling, stepsibling, child or stepchild of the driver. After this period, the number of passengers is limited to one in the front seat and the number of safety belts in the back seat.
• Cellphone/wireless use while driving, including a hands-free device, is prohibited for drivers under age 19, except in the case of an emergency to contact a law enforcement agency, health care provider or emergency services agency.

Sanctions

• To obtain court supervision for a traffic violation, a driver must appear in court with a parent/legal guardian and also must attend traffic safety school. Limit one court supervision for serious driving offenses.
• A moving violation conviction before age 18 generates a Secretary of State warning letter to the parent and teenager.
• A moving violation conviction that occurs within the first year of licensing will result in a six-month extension of the passenger limitation, which allows only one unrelated passenger under age 20.
• Two moving violation convictions occurring within a 24-month period result in a minimum one-month driver’s license suspension. Suspension length is determined by the seriousness of the offenses and the driver’s prior driving history. An additional driver’s license suspension will result for each subsequent moving violation following the initial suspension.
• Suspended drivers must attend a remedial education course, may be retested and must pay a $70 reinstatement fee.
• Driver’s License Suspension for Nighttime Driving Restriction Violation — Persons under the age of 18 who violate the nighttime driving restriction may have their driving privileges suspended.

Full Licensing Phase — Drivers Ages 18-20

• No age-related restrictions apply except in cases where a driver fails to move from the Initial Licensing Phase to the Full Licensing Phase.
• Cellphone/wireless use while driving, including a hands-free device, is prohibited for drivers under age 19, except in the case of an emergency to contact a law enforcement agency, health care provider or emergency services agency.

Sanctions

• Limit one court supervision for serious driving offenses.
• Two moving violation convictions occurring within a 24-month period results in a minimum one-month driver’s license suspension. Suspension length is determined by the seriousness of the offenses and the driver’s prior driving history. An additional driver’s license suspension will result for each subsequent moving violation following the initial suspension.
• Suspended drivers are required to pay a $70 reinstatement fee.

To get an Order of Protection, a person must file court papers online at the Sangamon County Circuit Clerk website or in person at the Sangamon County Courthouse asking for one. This includes filing a Petition for an Order of Protection.

In their petition, the person must explain to a judge why they want an Order of Protection against another person.

There are different types of protective orders or restraining orders available depending on the type of protection needed:

• Order of protection: legal document that provides protection for people being abused by family or household members.
• Civil no contact order: legal document that protects victims of rape, sexual assault, or sexual abuse from the abuser and can also be used to protect the victim’s family.
• Stalking no contact order: legal document that stops someone else from stalking someone. Stalking is any activity that makes someone fear for their safety or become distressed. It must happen more than once to be stalking.

Order of Protection

A person being abused by a family or household member can get an Order of Protection to protect them and anyone else living in their home, including minor children. Also, any adult with a disability who is abused or neglected by a family or household member can get an Order of Protection.

An Order of Protection can be issued against any of the following:

• Anyone in the victim’s family or household, including anyone they are related to by blood or by marriage (including parents, children, and stepchildren);
• Anyone the victim has a relationship with through a child. For example, the child’s grandparent;
• Anyone the victim had a child with;
• Anyone the victim is currently dating or living with, or has ever dated or lived with; and
• The victim’s spouse or former spouse.

With an Order of Protection, a victim can ask a judge to protect them from an abuser. For example, a judge can order the abuser to:

• Stop abusive acts;
• Stay away from the victim and other people protected by the order;
• Not contact the victim via telephone calls, mail, email, written notes, or third parties;
• Stay away from the victim’s home, school, or work;
• Attend counseling;
• Pay child support;
• Return or stay away from property; and
• Move out of a home they share with the victim.

A judge can also change a person’s allocation of parental responsibilities (custody/visitation) in an Order of Protection.

For more information on obtaining an order of protection in Sangamon County, please contact the Sangamon County Domestic Violence Advocate at (217)753-6796.

It is unlawful for a person less than 17 years of age to be present at or upon any public assembly, building, place, street or highway at the following times unless accompanied and supervised by a parent, legal guardian, or other responsible companion at least 18 years of age approved by a parent or legal guardian or unless engaged in a business or occupation which the laws of the state authorize a person less than 17 years of age to perform:

1. Between 12:01 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Saturday;

2. Between 12:01 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Sunday; and

3. Between 11:00 p.m. on Sunday to Thursday, inclusive, and 6:00 a.m. on the following day.

It is unlawful for a parent, legal guardian, or other person to knowingly permit a person in his or her custody or control to violate the above.

Full Text of the Curfew Law Here