The Village of Indian Head Park on Jan. 8 approved Resolution 2026-01 to participate in the Illinois Comptroller’s Local Debt Recovery Program, authorizing the village to seek state-assisted collection of unpaid local debts.

The move, approved by roll call, creates an additional collection pathway for past-due accounts including water bills, parking and code fines and police-issued tickets. “There is no cost to the village to participate in this program,” the Treasurer said, adding that administrative fees would be charged to the person who owes the funds and that intercepts would be taken from state payments such as tax refunds or lottery winnings.

Village staff explained that the program supplements — not replaces — the village’s existing collections steps. The Treasurer described the typical process as (1) issuing letters and pursuing internal collection, (2) turning accounts over to a private collection agency, and (3) submitting eligible accounts to the state program as a last resort. A village police representative said the police department’s outstanding accounts exceed $50,000, while water accounts in the 60–90+ day categories total about $12,000.

Trustees asked whether late county real-estate tax payments would include interest; the Treasurer said the village would inquire. Trustees also discussed collection costs for private agencies, which attendees said can run 25–50% of recovered amounts, and contrasted that with the state program’s debtor-paid administrative fee.

Trustee Gazzos moved to adopt the resolution and Trustee Saldana seconded; the motion passed by roll call 5–0.

The village will now implement the program’s due-process steps for affected debtors; staff said they will return with any follow-up details requested by trustees.