At First Awarded for Natural Garden, Then Ticketed and Fined $640, Chicago Woman Plans Appeal
A Chicago woman who received an award from the city for an eco-friendly front garden featuring native plants, followed by a municipal citation for allowing “weeds” to grow above 10 inches, has decided to appeal the $640 fine she received at a Nov. 29 administrative hearing.
Initially, Kathy Cummings hesitated to do so because of the additional $317 she would have to pay in filing fees. However, she decided to go ahead after several supporters pledged to cover at least some of the cost and a neighbor wrote what she describes as “a beautiful letter” advocating for the garden, the Chicago Tribune (sub. req.) reports.
Cummings has also received several offers of pro bono legal assistance, the newspaper notes, although no one has offered to represent her in court.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Awarded by City of Chicago for Natural Garden, Resident Is Also Cited by City for Weeds, Fined $640”
