Illinois recently passed a law that decriminalized possession of marijuana up to 10 grams.
That means people are fined instead of going to jail, but that money goes to the state.
Knoxville City Attorney Rob McCoy told City Council last night that passing an ordinance would direct that money to the city instead of the state.
“Where there both in the books, police are given some discretion on how to handle it,” McCoy says. “For example, it is a crime in the state of Illinois to commit disorderly conduct. We have an ordinance against disorderly conduct, as well and a police officer can decide rather than criminally prosecuting, we can give a ticket for an ordinance violation instead.”
McCoy says the marijuana ordinance would allow people to completely avoid the court system and would give the city more revenue.
But aldermen didn’t seem very enthusiastic about the idea, as little discussion took place.
The council also discussed options for a property at 610 Division Street that’s now in city possession.
Aldermen voted to tear the building down and ask the county to forgive the tax lien against it.
Some aldermen expressed a desire to create a nature space or park area on the property, saying the more than 20 acres could be turned into hiking trails.
