Flag-waving, noise laws are forwarded to full council
(http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beac ... S1.article)

May 2, 2007

BY ANDRE SALLES Staff Writer

AURORA -- Alderman Juany Garza's proposal to curb flag-waving and noise passed the city's Committee of the Whole Tuesday with no discussion.

The 2nd Ward alderman said her proposal is an attempt to curb the unofficial celebration of Fiestas Patrias that occurs downtown every September. A pair of ordinances is on the table, and will appear on the City Council's consent agenda on Tuesday -- and most likely be approved.

The first would make it illegal to wave any object inside or outside a vehicle that may obstruct the vision of the driver, or of any other driver. The second would ban "unnecessary, repeated sounding of the horn," as well as yelling or other "loud or excessive noise" made by drivers or passengers.

The fine for violating either ordinance would be raised from $75 to $250. Under the new rules, repeat offenders also would have their cars impounded.

City attorney Alayne Weingartz has made it clear that the ordinances are not designed to target any one ethnic group.

But Garza has said her plan is to rein in the September celebration of Mexican Independence Day, which for the past few years has seen dozens of cars clogging the streets downtown Aurora. Police often are forced to block off streets to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians.

Garza is concerned about the image of the Hispanic community in Aurora and thinks these measures, if adhered to, would go a long way toward improving that image.

"They don't do these parades in Mexico," she said. "I don't know why they do it here."