TOLONO, Ill. (WAND) - A new ordinance in Tolono aims to hold juveniles and their parents or legal guardians responsible for unlawful acts and misconduct. 

The Parental Responsibility Ordinance of the Village of Tolono was passed earlier this month by a 5-0 vote of the village's Board of Trustees. 

Tolono's park district said in early June that two parks had recently been vandalized, leading to "costly repairs, facility closures, and staff time that could be used for improvements rather than cleanup."

This is not a one time offense. Residents have had continued issues with teens. Terrence Stuber, Tolono Village president, says they've had kids throw fireworks at dogs, steal from homes, and vandalize public and private property.

"Just talking with some of the parents has not brought the results we've been hoping for," said Stuber. "So putting the financial component to it, we're hoping that that will that will help people understand that we are very serious about the behaviors we expect to see in this." 

Tolono is home to approximately 3,500 people, according to the 2020 Census.

The ordinance is in response to acts of vandalism and violations of village ordinances by minors. 

The ordinance states, "...the Village has been advised by law enforcement that parents and guardians of such minors have not been helpful in preventing ordinance violations by their wards..."

The ordinance spells out acts that would fall under the Parental Responsibility Ordinance. But it also details that parents and legal guardians have a, "...continuous responsibility to exercise reasonable control and supervision over the minor to prevent the minor from committing or participating in the commission of any delinquent act."

Some acts include animal cruelty, curfew violations, fireworks, vandalism, obscene conduct, and criminal trespass. 

"Parents should be aware of what their kids are doing, who their kids are with, where their kids are," said Stuber. "When they deal with their own children, our police officers don't have to. It is important that every person in this community take personal responsibility for their own behaviors and their own actions, and when they also have children, though their children that they are responsible for, they are also responsible for the behaviors of those children." 

First-time penalties include a $250 fine. A second offense within 12 months of the first doubles to $500. A third offense within 12 months of the first offense is $750 with each incident following an additional $750. 

"I would love to see a return to civility," said Stuber. "I would love to see a return to just common decency in every community. We only did it because we were we were fed up with the current behaviors of young people in the community. It would be great if we could repeal this, because we no longer need it."

Enforcement can be handled by Tolono police, a code enforcement officer, or a designated Village of Tolono official, although it's not clear who could fall under the last category. 

Stuber said the benefit of this new ordinance is that it is a substitute for pressing charges. This means these incidents won't go on a child's criminal record, or their parent's, unless the village pursues legal action.

Tolono police will keep records of violators. Appeals of fines will be handled by the Village of Tolono's Board of Trustees. 

The ordinance notes it falls under state law, and violations are considered a civil infraction. It's not clear how any judicial issues involving a minor accused of committing a crime might have an impact on penalties under the Parental Responsibility Ordinance.

It's also not clear how a penalty would be reversed if a minor accused of a crime was found not guilty in a court of law. 

Illinois' Parental Responsibility Law allows municipalities and others across the state to hold parents and legal guardians responsible for certain acts committed by minors. It allows for remediation from actual damages, such as medical bills, property damage, or other losses. 

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