Several Crest Hill business owners seek waiver of late-license penalties; council schedules review

Four business owners who said they operate in Crest Hill told the council they paid a $200 late penalty after missing the standard $50 annual business license payment and asked the council to waive the penalty.

Teranum Adele, who said she works for Adele Pediatrics and that her husband owns a pediatric practice at 2226 Weber Road, said she usually pays the annual license on time but missed this year while traveling and subsequently paid the $200 penalty. “I paid the fee that was the penalty fee of extra $200 instead of the $50,” she said, asking for a waiver.

Mayor and council members told the speakers they could not take action because the matter was not on the meeting agenda. City Attorney Mike Steph suggested the council schedule a broader discussion of late fees so the council could consider waivers and any policy changes at once.

Council staff said they would place the four named businesses on the next work-session agenda so the council could discuss each request: Adele Pediatrics; Hendricks and Bumper (represented by Laura Boyne); Prestige Brick Pavers and Landscapers (represented by Raul Salazar); and Del Toro Transmission (represented by Omar Ibarra).

Why it matters: Business-license penalties are assessed administratively but residents and business owners said they want a one-off waiver in light of late payment; the council indicated it preferred to review the issue as a broader policy matter rather than decide individual waivers during a regular council meeting.

Ending: Council and staff told the speakers the requests would be placed on the next work-session agenda for formal consideration. No waiver or vote occurred at the Feb. 18 meeting.