Villa Park hearing clears some parking charges, upholds an administrative tow and orders multiple continuances

Hearing Officer Erica Thomas presided over the Village of Villa Park administrative hearing on March 19, 2026, where she dismissed certain parking charges, upheld one administrative tow, assessed fines for unattended cases, and continued several property and permit matters for follow-up.

The hearing opened with Thomas explaining that this is a civil proceeding decided by a preponderance of the evidence, that ticketing officers need not appear because Illinois law allows sworn reports to serve as prima facie evidence, and that appeals must be filed in the Circuit Court of DuPage County within 35 days.

In an early item, Alan Vega presented a printed Lombard overnight-parking confirmation and a photograph he said showed where he had parked. After staff examined jurisdictional maps and the photo, Hearing Officer Thomas concluded Vega was not liable and dismissed the citation without fines. Vega had told the hearing he believed the ticket was issued in error and supplied an email and photo to support that claim.

The hearing continued with multiple property- and permit-related matters. For Llewellyn Marshall (CE2026-46), a Village code inspector reported exposed drywall and construction materials consistent with work without a permit; Marshall said the panels had been removed to address mold after a basement flood. Thomas gave Marshall until the April 16, 2026 hearing to apply for the required permit and allowed staff to re-inspect the property.

Thomas Buck’s matter (represented by his son and powers of attorney) involved garage defects and rodent complaints at 409 North Princeton. The family told the hearing they were arranging extermination and repair plans; the Village continued that case to April 16 to allow the family time to address the issues and for staff to return.

Clerk and enforcement staff handled several parking and registration matters. Maya Gibson was initially charged with overnight parking (2–6 a.m.) and with an unregistered vehicle. Thomas gave Gibson the option to return with proof of current registration at the next hearing to have the registration charge dismissed and initially assessed a $75 fine for the parking violation; after staff reviewed where Gibson had parked and the applicable jurisdictional signage she ultimately struck the earlier finding and dismissed the charges, advising Gibson to obtain an updated sticker.

A contested administrative tow for Johnny Peyton (T5675-8) drew sharper pushback. Peyton told the hearing an officer stopped and searched him, saying the officer alleged Peyton was on the phone; Peyton said he had no phone. The officer’s written report, however, described observed lane changes without signaling and that Peyton’s license was suspended. Thomas found probable cause for the tow based on the report and upheld the administrative tow.

The Village also addressed multiple no-shows. For several reported retail theft incidents (losses ranged from about $16.94 to $118.12), defendants failed to appear; Thomas entered default judgments and assessed fines (commonly $200 plus a $35 administrative fee). The Village assessed a $500 fine plus a $35 administrative fee for an unsafe structure at 341 East Washington after the defendant did not appear. Conversely, code enforcement asked to non-suit the case at 236 West Adams after relatives cleared the property following a death in the home; Thomas granted the non-suit.

Several defendants requested additional time to retain counsel; the hearing continued Rolf Lacotte’s matter (inoperable vehicles and rubbish) to May 7, 2026, after Lacotte asked for additional time to obtain an attorney.

Next steps and enforcement: where the officer or Village staff were instructed to return, the matters were continued for reinspection; where defendants failed to appear the hearing imposed fines and administrative fees per the code. Thomas reminded attendees that fines are expected to be paid within 30 days and that any appeal must be filed in the Circuit Court of DuPage County within 35 days.

The hearing concluded after the scheduled docket was completed.