The Flossmoor Village Board unanimously approved a new noise ordinance June 1 aimed at giving police clearer authority to address excessive noise complaints throughout the village.
The ordinance amends the village code and establishes standards for what constitutes unreasonable noise, including loud music, shouting, vehicle noise, animal disturbances and construction activities conducted outside designated hours.
Village officials said the measure is intended to balance residents’ quality of life with the needs of businesses, community organizations and other legitimate activities.
Deputy Police Chief Douglas Merkle told trustees the proposal was developed after years of responding to complaints about loud music, disruptive gatherings, vehicle noise and other disturbances that often left officers with limited enforcement options.
“This is going to give us a tool for the officers to arrive on scene,” Merkle said. “Our first goal is always voluntary compliance. This is for the cases where we’ve had residents coming in, asking for our assistance, asking for hours what could be done.”
Police officials said the ordinance gives officers authority to issue citations for excessive noise violations, though they emphasized that voluntary compliance would remain the department’s first goal.
Under the ordinance, noise that is plainly audible from 50 feet away may be considered a violation. The measure also establishes construction hours of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and identifies specific prohibited activities, including excessive vehicle horn use, amplified commercial advertising, unreasonable yelling or shouting, and loud vehicle operation.
The ordinance further calls for stricter enforcement of noise violations between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Village Attorney Kathleen Field Orr said village staff researched standards from national organizations and reviewed noise ordinances from other communities while drafting the proposal.
Before approving the ordinance, trustees unanimously adopted an amendment expanding the list of exempted community activities. The amendment added school attendance bells, playground noise and church bells to the ordinance’s exemptions alongside parades, festivals, sporting events and Fourth of July celebrations.
Trustee Gary Daggett voiced support for the measure, noting that police officers often lacked sufficient enforcement authority when dealing with recurring complaints.
“You guys are incredibly professional,” Daggett told police officials. “But it didn’t have teeth. So it was difficult for it to last. So, I think this makes a lot of sense.”
Trustee Carolyn Rodgers also supported the ordinance but questioned how officers would ensure fair enforcement or how this ordinance will be enforced.
Police officials said officers would continue exercising discretion and would typically seek voluntary compliance before issuing citations. Residents would still need to report problems when violations occur, though officers could take action when excessive noise is observed directly.
The ordinance includes exemptions for emergency operations, utility repairs, lawn maintenance equipment used during daytime hours and approved community events.
The board approved both the amendment and the ordinance unanimously.
