Marijuana Policy Project

AURORA — Aldermen registered their support Tuesday for a new marijuana possession ordinance first proposed last month.

The City Council is likely to approve the law at next week's meeting.

Under the proposal introduced by Alderman Leroy Keith, officers would have the option of issuing an ordinance violation in misdemeanor level marijuana possession and drug paraphernalia cases — those involving 30 grams or less of the drug.

During Tuesday's Committee of the Whole meeting, Keith said the ordinance, which is similar to those in several DuPage County towns, makes sense "resource wise and revenue wise" because it will require officers to spend fewer hours in court and bring fine money from such cases back to Aurora. Fines range from $500 to $1,500.

Corporate counsel Alayne Weingartz explained that anyone charged under the ordinance can contest the violation in front of a hearing officer. Police can still charge the case under state statute.

Keith also pointed out that while the aldermen set the ordinance, it will be up to the police department to decide its policy for handling these offenses.

Police Chief Greg Thomas told a council committee last week that his officers would handle the minor possession arrests the same as always, including a trip to the station for booking.

"This is not just going to be a ticket issue," Keith said, recounting Thomas' explanation to the Government Operations Committee.

In April, Sugar Grove authorities announced they would start issuing tickets for first-time offenders caught with marijuana or paraphernalia. The move, officials said, meant fewer hours in court for police.