Villa Park hearing finds multiple residents liable for code or permit violations, fines assessed

Megan Trella, the presiding officer at the Village of Villa Park administrative hearing on July 16, 2026, opened the session by explaining that the proceedings were civil and governed by a preponderance‑of‑the‑evidence standard, noting the right to counsel and that appeals to the Circuit Court of DuPage County must be filed within 35 days. "The standard is a preponderance of the evidence, which means more likely than not," she told those present.

The hearing resolved a series of municipal enforcement matters. For the first matter, involving Carolyn and Henry Meyer (CE2025‑739, ‑740, ‑741), a code enforcement officer reported the sheds were in compliance but requested additional cleanup in the driveway. Henry Meyer said a neighbor’s tree had fallen on his green car, damaging it, and that he had experienced hardships preventing repairs: "That that's where the neighbor's tree, fell," he said. The officer told Meyer that the village allows tarped cars but requested a proper tarp; Trella announced Meyer was found in compliance on all three cited items and assessed a $50 prehearing compliance fee on one citation, waiving the fee for the others.

In a separate permit matter for Krista Vare, Dan Beer — who identified himself as Vare’s husband — said the family had relied on incorrect information and was working on the application. Village staff told the hearing the application had been submitted on July 15 but remained incomplete and that a notice had been sent in May. Trella found the respondent liable for working without a permit and assessed a $100 fine plus a $35 administrative fee, and said the order would be mailed.

A police report was accepted as prima facie evidence in a criminal damage case involving Janisa Jones. The clerk summarized a Motel 6 incident in which video showed a woman throwing a phone and stepping on it; Jones was not present. Trella accepted the officer’s report, found Jones liable for local criminal damage to property, and assessed the $200 fine plus the $35 administrative fee after a brief on‑the‑record numerical correction.

The police requested an increased fine for repeated loud‑music complaints by Christina Selig; the file showed seven prior tickets for similar conduct. Selig was not present and was found liable; Trella assessed a $250 fine and a $35 administrative fee.

Israel Correa was found liable for trash and debris in his yard and was assessed a $250 fine plus the $35 administrative fee in his absence. By contrast, two tickets for Rolfe and Jean Lacotte were non‑suited after repeated continuances and the village stated it would pursue an alternate enforcement course outside this hearing.

A continuing case for Fawaz Rashid, previously continued from June, was found to have an incomplete permit application submitted July 13; Trella found the respondent liable and assessed a $100 fine plus a $35 administrative fee.

All fines noted above are those assessed at the hearing; appeal rights and procedures were stated on the record. Administrative hearings were then concluded and the presiding officer closed the session.

Votes at a glance (administrative findings and penalties): - Carolyn and Henry Meyer (CE2025‑739/740/741): found in compliance; $50 prehearing compliance fee assessed on one citation; follow‑up scheduled. - Krista Vare (permit violation): found liable; $100 fine + $35 administrative fee. - Janisa Jones (criminal damage to property, VPPC2600906): found liable (defendant absent; officer’s report admitted as evidence); $200 fine + $35 administrative fee. - Christina Selig (loud noises, VPPC2600871): found liable (defendant absent); $250 fine + $35 administrative fee. - Israel Correa (trash and debris): found liable (defendant absent); $250 fine + $35 administrative fee. - Rolfe and Jean Lacotte: two tickets non‑suited; village to pursue alternate course. - Fawaz Rashid (work without permit): found liable (continued from prior hearing); $100 fine + $35 administrative fee.

What happens next: the hearing officer said written orders and notices will be mailed when needed; parties retain the right to seek administrative review in the Circuit Court of DuPage County within the timeframe stated at the hearing.