Source: Bigstock

Source: Bigstock

The city of Chicago is toughening rules for high rises seen as skirting requirements that they must offer recycling for tenants.

But work by Chicago REALTORS® helped make sure the blow to private property owners was softened. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s office was  seeking to make sure buildings offer the recycling service, a service with costs borne by the building owners.

As drafted, penalties would be: “$500 to $1,000 for the first offense; $1,000 to 2,500 for second offense within 12 months; and $2,500 to $5,000 for the third violation and any ones after that within 12 months of the most recent violation,” according to the report.

Chicago REALTORS® Government Affairs Director Brian Bernardoni said the rules would allow compounding fines that could quickly escalate costs at a time when property owners have just been hit with a substantial property tax increase.

Said Bernardoni:

“We’re scared of the unintended consequences of small landlords getting hit with huge fines. “

The Chicago City Council amended the ordinance to allow for a 30-day warning for buildings not in compliance.