Posted by Hal Robson on March 4, 2008, 8:27 am, in reply to "Illinois Tree Licensing Act Discussion"
72.135.217.208
I am reading with interest the effort to have the Tree Expert Act passed in the Illinois legislature. Although no longer a resident of the state, I would still like to put my two cents worth in. Having been a praticing city arborist in the state for many years prior to my retirement, I was involved with the previous Tree Expert law back in the 60's, 70's & 80's. The largest problem with the law at that time was enforcement. The state had no enforcement arm willing to arrest and prosecute those who practiced without a license. That left enforcement up to the local governments. I filed a complaint against a commercial tree firm who was unlicensed through our local police department. He was arrested and prosecuted but the fine given was $50 and a warning to cease and desist from doing tree work until he got a license. In a very short time he was again doing tree work without a license. What he got was like a slap on the wrists. Frankly it wasn't worth my time and ef fort to be the only one in Illinois who was willing to police this law. I had commercial tree experts call me and tell me their was someone he had seen operating in our city without a license. I told him if that's the case call our police department and file a complaint. He never had the guts to do so. So, I'm saying if there is no enforcement the law isn't worth the paper it is written on.
Hal Robson
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