Friday, January 19, 2018

Fine notices raise questions for Boone County citizens


Posted: Fri 6:14 PM, Jan 19, 2018  |

Updated: Fri 6:15 PM, Jan 19, 2018

BELVIDERE, Ill. (WIFR) -- A notice from a collection agency raises questions for one Boone County woman.

It isn't often that we get a bill for something that's more than two decades old, but that's exactly what happened to Windy Gilliam.

In 1994. Gilliam was cited for disorderly conduct after an argument with a neighbor.

"I lived upstairs; she lived downstairs. I don't remember what we were arguing about. But anyway, the police were called," says Gilliam.

Gilliam was fined 200 dollars for that offense. She says she remembers paying.

"I did what they asked me to do and... paid the fine," says Gilliam.

However, several days ago, gilliam says she found this bill in her mailbox, asking for the $200 once again, along with a $60 service charge for a collection agency.

Gilliam says she contacted the county, hoping to get an answer, only to be told that there was no record of her payment.

"What happens to those copies, I don't know," says Gilliam.

Boone County Circuit Clerk Linda Anderson says Gilliam is one of many people who are now receiving notices because the county is working to settle debts that are long overdue.

"All of the cases that have been in collections for a long time were withdrawn and re-submitted," says Anderson.

Anderson says Gilliam and all the others who received a notice in the mail have to pay, regardless of how old the fine is. Gilliam says this is $260 that she would rather keep in her own pocket.

"It's just not fair," says Gilliam.

Anyone in Boone County who wants to dispute a fine should contact the circuit clerks office within 30 days of their notice.

Above is from:  http://www.wifr.com/content/news/Fine-notices-raise-questions-for-Boone-County-citizens-470196393.html

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