Des Plaines send $30K bill for Guadalupe celebration

Posted 8:11 AM, January 17, 2014, by and , Updated at 12:54PM, January 17, 2014
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Organizers of last month’s Feast of Our Lady Guadalupe celebration in Des Plaines say they are shocked by a big security bill from the city.

The city sent a $30,000 bill to the organizers of the festival.

In previous years, organizers have pay about $3,000  to cover the city’s expenses.

Organizers say city officials warned them the bill would be more this year, but they did not expect it to be so high.

Des Plaines Police Chief William Kushner says the bill covers the cost of overtime for auxiliary and police officers who worked to help control crowds and traffic flow to the overnight event that attracts up to 100,000 people.

In past years, the city has covered most of the costs.

Festival organizers they will use donations to pay the city.

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4 comments

  • Joyce

    This is fair as the majority of the people attending were not from Des Plaines. Taxpayers of Des Plaines should not be expected to pick up the bill for this event.

    Reply
  • Jay

    So apparently Joyce kept track of where the participants reside? Nevertheless, should the taxpayers of Des Plaines discourage residents of other towns/cities from participating in any events held in Des Plaines?

    Reply
  • Giggles

    I actually attended this event. There was one patrol car on the corner of Central Rd and Wolf Rd with two officers and two more squads on the corner of Central and River Rd. There were no officers on the actual property. Harvest Bible chapel in Arlington Heights uses more officers EVERY saturday for mass then were present for 24 hours. SHAME ON YOU CITY OF DES PLAINES. This was an event open to EVERYONE. I am neither catholic nor Hispanic and use the shrine for meditation. The event operated smoothly and safely and traffic could probably been controlled by a couple of crossing guards. I lived in Des Plaines for almost ten years and have found pretty much everything they did to be as ridiculous as this bill.

    Reply
  • Eric

    This is a religious event …not a single penny of taxpayer money should go to this… I’m Sure the organizers were given an itemized bill detailing all expenses which is why organizers are paying without dispute…

    Reply