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South Jacksonville committee debates rental ordinance, tougher water shutoff enforcement
Summary
At its Nov. 21 Committee of the Whole meeting the Village discussed revisions to a landlord/rental ordinance aimed at improving landlord contact information and enforcing water-billing collections; attendees said roughly 30 rental accounts lack reliable owner contact details and recommended earlier notification and shutoffs for long-past-due accounts.
The Committee of the Whole of the Village of South Jacksonville discussed proposed revisions to a landlord and rental ordinance and steps to improve water-billing collections at its Nov. 21 meeting.
Treasurer and Village Clerk Mindy Olson outlined recurring problems the Water Department has encountered when tenants vacate properties without notifying the office, when account dates are incorrect and when landlord contact information is missing. Jackie Kennedy, the village water clerk, told trustees she has identified about 30 rental properties with incomplete contact information that complicate billing and collections.
Members of the Jacksonville Area Landlords Association and Nash Oldenettel of the Illinois Realtors group attended and urged clearer communication and a voluntary contact program. According to the association representatives, earlier landlord notification and the ability to contact owners directly would reduce balances handled through security deposits. "We are simply trying to be able to get ahold of the landlords and have open communication," President Richard Samples said while explaining the Village's intent.
Discussion focused on whether the Village should more consistently follow its 45-day past-due policy and proceed with water shutoffs when feasible. Chief Eric Hansell said shutoffs are complicated when properties are inaccessible or when valves have been sabotaged, and staff sometimes return to restore service after late-day requests. Nash Oldenettel characterized shutoffs as an effective collection tool, saying it "is the best way to take the pressure off of the Village" and noting that reconnects and lien releases can ultimately cost property owners.
Trustees and attendees also discussed consumer protections and practical steps: updating the water application to capture owner contact information, sending a voluntary landlord-contact form rather than imposing a register or fee, and clarifying who pays reconnection or lien-release fees. Treasurer Olson said staff will update application forms and follow up; no ordinance vote was taken and trustees asked that the proposed language be developed further with Attorney Roland Cross.
