Carthage, IL – Several Hancock County towns plan to align their nuisance ordinances to make them easier to enforce in court.
Carthage Mayor Jim Nightingale says the issue came up at the regular county-wide meeting of mayors.
He says when standards vary widely, judges sometimes become confused and only assess minimal fines when a town's complaint goes to court.
The ordinances usually cover issues such as lawn height, weeds and trash.
Nightingale believes it should be possible for the mayors to develop similar standards for the problem.
He says that would also make it easier for local code enforcement personnel to enforce their town's ordinances.