• On Jan. 30, 2023, Dawn Didier joined the City as the new City Attorney, following the retirement of longtime City Attorney James Knippen. She leads the then newly created Legal Department as the City transitioned from legal representation by an outside law firm to a staff position. She has  more than 20 years of municipal legal experience, most recently as Downers Grove’s Assistant Village Attorney. She previously represented the City of DeKalb as Assistant City Attorney.

Administrative Adjudication: 

• While she deals with the many aspects of municipal law, her presentation addressed the function that most of us are most likely to encounter: Administrative Adjudication. This is a process in which violations of certain City municipal codes are adjudicated by a hearing officer rather than through the county judicial system. Adjudication is significantly less costly for both the City and violators  than going through the judicial system.

• The Adjudication hearings are less formal than proceedings held at the DuPage County Courthouse. These hearings do not follow the rigid and complex rules of evidence used in court proceedings but still follow a basic structure to ensure fairness and due process of law. A hearing officer, who is independent and not a City employee, presides over the hearings. The hearing officer is an impartial, licensed attorney, who must meet strict state requirements to serve as a hearing officer.

• The Adjudication process begins when the City files a case, to be heard by the hearing officer, based on the observations of City employees authorized to enforce the City of Wheaton’s Code of Ordinances. The City will serve the party accused of the alleged violation with a ticket, citation, or complaint outlining the City’s allegations.

• Matters subject to the City’s administrative adjudication process include, but are not limited to:
  • Parking violations (excluding those in the Central Business District, commuter parking lots, daily fee parking areas, and metered parking areas).
  • Alcoholic beverage violations
  • Animal code violations
  • Zoning code violations
  • Building and fire code violations
  • Stormwater violations
  • Business violations
  • Health and sanitation concerns
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• In certain circumstances, the City will continue to process the foregoing matters through the DuPage County judicial system.
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• Hearings are held at the Wheaton City Hall of the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 P.M.