FAQs • City of Elmhurst • CivicEngage

What is the difference between an ordinance violation and a criminal violation?: The City of Elmhurst is allowed to enact ordinances to cover building codes, traffic offenses and liquor offenses. If a person is arrested for an ordinance offense, they will not go to jail for that offense. It is considered a "fine only," and it is not a permanent mark on their record.

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Police Department

1. Will the Elmhurst Police Department provide extra patrols while I am away on vacation?: Unfortunately, due to the high volume of people who go on vacation, the Police Department cannot make special patrols while you are out of town. When you are out of town, it is best to make your house appear lived in. Cancel the newspaper and mail or have somebody pick them up. Leave your lights on timers and leave your itinerary with a trusted neighbor or friend. If a neighbor or friend notices anything amiss at your home while you are gone, tell them to call 9-1-1 and the Elmhurst Police will respond.

2. When should I call to report suspicious activity?: If you see some activity that you feel is suspicious in nature, please call 9-1-1 as soon as possible, explain the problem, the location, and the description of individuals or vehicles. You do not have to leave your name. If you feel it is suspicious activity, it probably is. You are the one who is familiar with your neighborhood. The Elmhurst Police will respond as soon as possible and check out the suspicious people in a professional and courteous manner.

3. Will the Elmhurst Police Department take my fingerprints for a job application or professional license?: The Elmhurst Police Department will take fingerprints for job applications, a professional license or for immigration purposes for residents of Elmhurst or for people who are being fingerprinted because of a business or profession located in Elmhurst. Fingerprinting is done by appointment only and there is a nominal fee. For fingerprinting appointments or further information, contact the Elmhurst Police Dept. at 630-530-3050.

4. Can officers search vehicles and people on the street for no reason?: Police officers can search individuals and vehicles without a warrant for a number of reasons. Different types of searches are governed by constitutional law and must be reasonable according to the circumstances of the encounter. Elmhurst Police officers are trained and updated on the latest search and seizure case law.

5. What is bond?: When a person receives a traffic ticket or is arrested, they have to post bail or a bond. This is a surety that the person will come to court. For a traffic ticket, a person can post $75.00 cash bond ($100.00 cash bond for more serious violations) or a bail bond card. Bond for misdemeanors is $100.00 and a judge must set the bond for felony charges. If you are found innocent, the bond will be refunded.

6. What is the difference between an ordinance violation and a criminal violation?: The City of Elmhurst is allowed to enact ordinances to cover building codes, traffic offenses and liquor offenses. If a person is arrested for an ordinance offense, they will not go to jail for that offense. It is considered a "fine only," and it is not a permanent mark on their record.

7. When do Miranda Rights apply?: Miranda Rights are most often seen given on TV. It is an individual's Constitutional Right to remain silent and an individual's Constitutional Right to have an attorney present during any questioning. These rights apply when a person is in the custody of the police and under arrest. They do not apply if officers are merely asking general questions to find out what happened at an incident.

8. What is court supervision?: Court Supervision is a finding of the court that allows a person to plead guilty to a traffic ticket or minor offense and not receive a conviction on their driving record or criminal record. It is a form of probation where the person must report to the judge and stay out of trouble for a specified period of time. When a person successfully completes court supervision, they will have to pay a fine, but they will not have a mark on their record.

9. What about solicitors who want money for the police department; are they legitimate?: All of us receive phone calls and flyers from different organizations saying they represent the Elmhurst Police Department in fundraisers. Many of these organizations are shadowy solicitors, not authorized by the Elmhurst Police Department. The Elmhurst Police Department does have an organization, the Elmhurst Police Benevolent and Athletic Association (E.P.B.A.A.) that has a solicitation once a year that is hand-delivered to your house or business. The Elmhurst Police Benevolent and Athletic Association uses these funds for various charitable organizations and re-distributes them into the community, sponsoring baseball and hockey teams, scholarships and other charitable works in the community.

10. Can I call the police on my cellular phone?: In DuPage County, if you dial 911 on your cell phone, the call will first be routed to the DuPage Co. Sheriff's Office, then forwarded to an Elmhurst dispatcher. The Elmhurst Police will eventually get the call, but it will take an extra minute or two because of the transfer process.

11. When and how can I participate in an Elmhurst Police Property Auction?: All Elmhurst Police Property Auctions are now held on-line. Visit www.PropertyRoom.com to see all items available at any time. More...

12. Should I call 9-1-1 if the situation is not an emergency?: Any situation requiring dispatch of a police officer must go through 9-1-1, whether an emergency or not.

Information about obtaining police reports can be found here: